Temporary Accommodation and Procurement Manager

About Us

Job Title: Temporary Accommodation and Procurement Manager

Salary Range: £55,399-£69,947 per annum

Permanent – Fulltime (36 hours)

Location: Putney Bridge Housing department, Wandsworth. 

Other essential information: Wandsworth mainly but also Twickenham Civic Centre

Objective of role  

To lead 3 teams of housing procurement and temporary accommodation officers to procure; main role is to procure a supply of cost-effective temporary accommodation and private sector properties for homeless families to meet both Councils’ statutory duties. 

About the role 

The role involves developing and managing competitively priced temporary and settled accommodation across various schemes provided by private landlords. 

Responsibilities include leading high-performing teams to ensure prompt allocation of temporary housing per legislation and Homelessness Code of Guidance.

The lead will also develop strategies for long-term competitive accommodation, work with landlords to secure cost-effective supply, and promote Council schemes to attract new landlords.

Additional duties include serving as the housing lead for MARAC, drafting reports for committee meetings, and handling enquiries and complaints from Councillors’, the Local Government Ombudsman, and requests under s202 of the Housing Act (as amended).

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

The role requires a dynamic and innovative manager who can lead diverse teams of temporary accommodation and procurement officers to deliver a high quality performing customer focused front line service. 

• Lead and develop teams in multi-disciplinary environments.
•  Negotiate and communicate effectively to procure temporary accommodation, private sector properties, and cost-effective large-scale leasing schemes.
• Identify and implement service changes to meet targets within deadlines.
• Collaborate with key agencies to develop partnerships aimed at reducing temporary accommodation numbers and homelessness expenditure.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of homelessness legislation related to the allocation of suitable temporary accommodation and private sector properties to fulfil the Councils’ statutory duties.
• Develop and implement a strategy to ensure that third-party accommodation providers deliver good quality units and services to families placed by the Councils.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline:

Closing Date: Sunday 06 April 2025

Shortlisting Date: Week beginning 14th April 2025 

Interview Dates: TBC

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Useful Information:

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.   

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.