Procurement and Lettings Solutions Officer

About Us

Job Title: Procurement & Letting Solutions Officer 

Salary Range: £37,766 to £45,763 per annum

Fixed Term - Fulltime

Location: 2nd Floor Bridas House, 90 Putney Bridge Road, London, SW18 1HR

Other essential Information: Driving licence desirable 

Objective of role

Our Procurement & Letting Solutions Team is split into two teams. While we operate as a unified team, our functions are divided into two key areas: Procurement and Lettings. This role is for lettings not procurement.

Your primary focus will be to support clients in preventing and relieving homelessness by identifying and securing housing opportunities in the private sector, ensuring clients are matched with affordable private lettings. In addition to addressing homelessness, you will play a pivotal role in reducing the costs associated with Temporary Accommodation by facilitating the transition of households into stable, long-term housing solutions within the private sector.

This role requires building and nurturing strong relationships with clients, landlords, agents, and colleagues to optimise housing placements both within and outside of the borough. You will also contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at reducing the reliance on Temporary Accommodation, actively participating in key projects aligned with our Temporary Accommodation Reduction strategy.

About the role 

This role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with caseworkers to assess clients who have been identified as suitable candidates for private sector housing. You will be responsible for providing an exceptional customer experience by evaluating clients’ needs and ensuring their suitability for available housing options. Your responsibilities will include assessing affordability, addressing specific needs, and supporting vulnerable clients with additional requirements.

You will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure your success in this role. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual who excels in organisation, negotiation, and communication. The ideal candidate will possess strong administrative capabilities, a deep understanding of Universal Credit, and experience in financial assessments.

Experience in delivering tenancy sustainment services within a Local Authority setting is essential, along with a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes and managing complex tasks.

This role is based in Wandsworth, with the expectation to work across both boroughs and occasionally from the Richmond office as required.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced housing professional with a proven background in working within a local authority setting and placing tenants into the private sector. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication and negotiation skills and share our passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the housing sector.

Key Responsibilities and Requirements:

• Comprehensive Knowledge of Universal Credit: Possess a deep understanding of Universal Credit and its application in housing.
• Tenancy Sustainment and Financial Solutions: Demonstrated experience in sustaining tenancies and identifying alternative financial solutions for tenants.
• Strong Communication and Negotiation Skills: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively with tenants, landlords, and colleagues, with strong negotiation skills.
• Target Achievement: Proven ability to meet personal targets that contribute to the overall success and efficiency of the team.
• Expert Advice on Legislation: Capable of advising landlords in accordance with current housing legislation and regulations.
• Effective Communication with Diverse Stakeholders: Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a broad range of individuals, including tenants, landlords, and external partners.
• Knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017: Familiarity with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, particularly regarding the suitability of accommodation and its implications.
• Exceptional Customer Service and Mediation Skills: Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service, including mediating and resolving challenges effectively.

• Property Health and Safety Knowledge: A solid understanding of property health and safety regulations to ensure compliance and tenant safety.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 13th April 2025

Shortlisting Date:  W/C 14th April 2025

Interview Date: 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 and Wandsworth Councils 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.