Team Leader - REQ003546

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Team Leader

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid Working

The Building Safety Team oversee the Council’s compliance with regard to the implementation of the Building Safety Act with regard to 120 in scope high-rise buildings.

You will work in collaboration and co-operation with the Fire Safety Team, all services in Asset Management, Housing Management, the Building Safety Regulator, WYFRS and the HSE to support the successful delivery of all property related services.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Team Leader you will bring to the role:

You will have extensive knowledge of the Building Safety Act, the Building Regulations, social housing legislation and health & safety legislation.
A degree level qualification in construction/surveying or equivalent experience.
It is desirable that you hold or are working towards a NEBOSH Fire certificate or equivalent fire safety qualification.
You will have extensive experience of providing complex reports.
A strong focus on accuracy, organisation and attention to detail.
Ability to prioritise work to ensure that deadlines are met.

About the role

Leeds City Council manages approximately 54,000 Council Properties; we deliver services to a diverse community and work in close partnership with agencies and organisations in the City.

The Asset Management division is part of Housing Leeds, responsible for the management and delivery of all Property Management related services, including repairs, planned works, compliancy, regeneration schemes.

In this role you will be required to manage on a day-to-day basis the Building Safety Team functions. Taking responsibility for the implementation, reviewing and auditing of policies. Overseeing the inspection programme and repairs/investment needs identified from those inspections. Leading on ensuring safety occurrences are reported in appropriate timescales to enforcement bodies. Supporting the Service Manager to develop the Golden Thread and ancillary systems. Supporting the evolution of collation of building safety information for the blocks and Building Safety Case reports. You will be expected to support the Council & other stakeholders fulfil their statutory obligation in relation to Building Safety and Fire Safety and liaise with external organisations.

You will need to have a degree level qualification in construction/surveying or equivalent experience and a NEBOSH Fire certificate or equivalent fire safety qualification or be working towards an award would be desirable. Have extensive knowledge of the Building Safety Act, the Building Regulations, social housing legislation and health & safety legislation. You will be required to provide complex reports.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Louise Batterby, Service Manager (Building Safety) Call 07891 275305or email louise.batterby@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose:

The role of the Team Leader is to provide the lead on building safety advice for high risk buildings. Acting as a Business Partner for building safety matters, they will work closely with directorate management/leadership teams, chief officers, high rise risk board working in co-operation with the Service Manager (building safety), Fire Safety Manager and service managers to identify issues and provide appropriate building safety solutions through strategic planning. They will help them to improve and ensure compliance with building safety legislation and good practice, through the provision of effective guidance, advice, monitoring, audit, and review.

Most importantly, this role fulfils that of one of the organisation’s ‘competent people’, pursuant to the statutory requirement to have access to professional and technical building safety advice.

This will be done through:

Building a rapport and establish credibility with service managers and other stakeholders across the council on all building safety matters pertaining to high-risk buildings.
Establishing and maintaining good working relations with the Building Safety Regulator.
Managing the delivery of the building safety service, to support service managers and other stakeholders - anticipating, influencing and ultimately delivering against defined business needs;
Providing advice, guidance and support to managers on all building safety and related matters, identifying risks and opportunities and working to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to issues raised.
Supporting the Service Manager (Building Safety) to ensure the Principal Accountable Person meets all statutory obligations relating to the Building Safety Act and related legislation and guidance.
Championing / leading on organisation-wide building safety (and related) projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities

To act as the lead, competent building safety professional for Housing Leeds.
To act as a business partner on building safety matters, working closely with senior managers to identify issues and provide appropriate solutions through effective planning.
To inspect and assess premises, as necessary, to help managers ensure premises comply with current Legislation, particularly relating to building safety risks relating to structure and fire.
To identify appropriate training for staff responsible for completing building safety assessments or related works in all high risk premises.
To liaise pro-actively with the Building Safety Regulator, The Fire Service and the Local Authority Building Control, as required, on all the above matters.
To provide advice on building safety risks, emergency work and emergency reporting to the Regulator.
To assist in the development and maintenance of the organisation’s building safety information Golden Thread, including proactive and reactive monitoring
To lead on the identification of building safety development needs and to undertake ad-hoc training interventions around building safety.
To effectively communicate and present information on a range of Building Safety issues and project areas to a range of audiences.
To lead on the development of appropriate and effective management of building safety, taking into account best practice, legislation and specific business needs.
To provide performance information to senior managers and the Heads of Service to enable an assessment as to whether building safety is being managed effectively in line with legal requirements, council standards and good practice.
To provide professional and technical support to stakeholders on building safety matters.
To manage and develop staff as appropriate.
To provide professional, flexible, timely and high-quality building safety advice and support to service managers and staff across the council.
To lead on the investigation of accidents and incidents, specifically in relation to building safety, across the high-risk buildings, ensuring that improvements to prevent a recurrence are identified and shared with stakeholders.
To meet performance objectives and standards as agreed with the Service Manager (Building Safety).
To ensure consistent implementation and interpretation of building safety legislation, but with the ability to think creatively wherever possible and to share approaches to accrue wider benefit.
To build the competency and confidence in terms of the provision of building safety services.
To develop excellent relationships with key stakeholders, in particular managers at all levels, Trade Unions and the Business Support Centre. This would also include liaising with HM Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive, West Yorkshire Fire Service and other enforcement bodies as necessary.
To keep abreast of legislation, case law and developments in building safety and professional practice and communicate developments and relevant information within the Directorate as required.
To co-ordinate and/or contribute to council wide change initiatives and projects, especially as it relates to the building safety agenda.
To carry out active and reactive monitoring to assess compliance with corporate and local procedures.
To be responsible for ensuring and promoting the health, safety and well-being of team members.
To be responsible for promoting equality and diversity through this role and that as a line manager.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities

Qualifications

A degree level qualification in construction/surveying or equivalent experience and it is desirable that you hold or are working towards a NEBOSH Fire certificate or equivalent fire safety qualification

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Strong knowledge of the Building Regulations 2010 and amendments. Strong knowledge of the Building Safety Act and supporting legislation and guidance.
Contribute towards Trade Union, key partner or stakeholder discussions and negotiations on health and safety issues
Strong knowledge of landlord’s responsibilities in relation to repairs & maintenance
Up to date knowledge of social housing and issues affecting the sector
Strong knowledge safe construction Health & Safety procedures
Strong knowledge of building control mechanisms
Technically proficient in understanding high-risk building pathology, risks, defects and repairs
Able to plan and organise own workload in a busy environment
Able to communicate with managers across the council confidently, persuasively and authoritatively
Able to manage staff to ensure work is carried out efficiently and effectively and that deadlines are met
Able to analyse and interpret varied and complex information or situations and produce appropriate fire safety solutions or strategies to difficult problems
Able to communicate orally or in writing complex and contentious information with a wide range of audiences
Able to work using discretion and initiative and deal with problems confidently
Able to work flexibly and demonstrate a commitment to developing a ‘One HR’ approach across the Council
Produce clear and concise, basic reports in relation to the service in a timely and accurate manner.
To actively promote and support the Council’s policies and practices on Equal Opportunities in relation to employment issues
Able to develop timely and cost-effective solutions to operational problems
To be able to engage managers and employees in considering fire safety issues making change happen using change management skills and tools
Experience of interpreting and applying building safety legislation and / or best practice in a large, complex organisation.
Experience of developing and implementing health and safety management systems – including producing performance standards and guidance – specifically as it relates to building safety.
Experience of reactive and pro-active management / monitoring in a large, complex organisation – including serious accident/incident investigations.

Desirable requirements

Chartered Membership of IOSH or equivalent fire safety qualification, such as NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate or IFE course.
Membership of a professional body i.e. RICS
Experience of working within social housing
Experience of building control mechanisms

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

#INT

#LI-DNI

Apply for this job