Responsive Repairs Voids and Contracts Manager

Ashford Borough Council; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in Ashford is seeking a seasoned professional to manage contract oversight and lead void operations for housing services. This pivotal role requires extensive experience in contract management, procurement, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will also possess strong IT skills and a relevant degree. The organization offers a competitive salary along with a good benefits package, fostering flexible working arrangements. This is a chance to contribute to essential public services in a stable environment.

Benefits

Excellent salary linked pension scheme

Generous annual leave with flexi time

Free life insurance

Supportive relocation package

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in contract management and delivery within void operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage performance and foster collaboration.
• Possession of a full driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contractor performance and manage procurement activities.
• Lead and execute void works in alignment with KPIs.
• Provide support to team members and ensure operational continuity.

Skills

Contract management

Procurement skills

Team leadership

Excellent IT proficiency

Collaboration with Local Authorities

Education

Degree-level qualification in Building, Construction, Housing Repairs

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

This position offers an outstanding opportunity to contribute significantly to the delivery of high-quality housing services, ensuring properties are safe, well-maintained, and prepared for incoming tenants. You will join a committed team focused on continuous improvement and delivering exceptional customer service.

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for the contractual management and oversight of responsive repair contracts, as well as leading the end-to-end void process, ensuring properties are efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards prepared and let.

Key responsibilities include overseeing contractor performance, managing procurement activities, and maintaining robust financial controls. You will lead a team in executing void works in alignment with key performance indicators, collaborating closely with lettings, tenancy, and repairs teams to guarantee seamless service delivery and optimal customer satisfaction.

Specific duties will include:

• Managing financial controls such as invoice processing, reconciliation, and budget tracking.
• Ensuring void works comply with required standards through rigorous inspections, audits, and quality assurance measures.
• Coordinating procurement efforts, including specification development, tender evaluation, and contract management.
• Providing leadership and support to the Void Supervisor and Void Customer Services Advisor, ensuring operational resilience and continuity.
• Preparing and submitting regular reports on performance, KPIs, and service outcomes to senior management.

Additionally, you will lead procurement processes for new tenders and contractors, offering technical expertise in drafting specifications, overseeing tendering activities, and conducting comprehensive contractor management post‑award.

To excel in this role

You must demonstrate extensive experience in contract management and the delivery of works within a fast‑paced void operations environment, along with the following qualifications and skills:

• Degree‑level qualification in Building, Construction, Housing Repairs, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Excellent IT proficiency and systems knowledge.
• Experience working collaboratively with Local Authority clients.
• In‑depth understanding of social housing, voids, repairs, and disrepair.
• Strong procurement and contractor management skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage performance, and foster effective collaboration.
• Possession of a full driving licence.

Additional Information

This is a safety‑critical post. The role involves physical requirements such as working at height, in confined spaces, and undertaking manual tasks.

Hybrid Working

We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.

Competitive remuneration package – We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

Salary range

• £49,998 – £55,416 per year

With devolution news and talks evolving across the country for local authorities, we understand that there may be some uncertainty for those currently serving within the sector. Although Kent and Medway have not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme, discussions continue in this area. Kent, Medway and all District and Borough Councils in the South East will continue to work closely with each other to deliver vital services to our communities. This is an exciting, but stable time to join our organisation.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact James Laidlaw, Aspire & Parks Portfolio Operations Manager on 01233 330346.

When applying – Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email [e-mail].