Building Control Manager

About the role and what we are looking for

Job purpose

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils operate a shared building control service.

We are looking for a dynamic, forward thinking Manager to lead and deliver our building control service. You will be the lead officer for building regulations and associated legislation. If you have excellent building knowledge along with the ability to effectively lead and manage a team, this could be the role for you.

You will be responsible for ensuring that the building control service and operational objectives of each council are met within the service team, and that all customers receive services which provide improvement and value for money through the delivery of direct and commissioned services.

You will also provide effective leadership and development for the team and encourage best practice in a shared hybrid working arrangement. You’ll facilitate informed decisions by ensuring that officers and councillors are kept appraised of issues and receive relevant, best practice professional advice. The role will also be responsible for assisting the service manager in the operational management of the service area including the delivery of the service within set timescales and to a good standard.

You should have a strategic mindset, a passion for driving service improvements whilst ensuring financial sustainability across the service and for both councils.

Main duties and responsibilities

• to undertake the necessary professional duties associated with ensuring compliance with building regulations and Regulator
• to develop, maintain and refine team processes and procedures to support and facilitate the delivery of a high quality and efficient building control service
• to ensure that Building Regulations applications and associated work processes are carried out in accordance with documented procedures, timescales and deadlines and all work is conducted in a timely and professional manner
• manage the team in carrying out site inspections to ensure compliance to building regulations and other relevant legislation, and inspection of dangerous structures and taking appropriate action
• to ensure strong and robust line management of the team through:
  • Taking a lead role in the successful delivery of the service
  • The day-to-day supervision of employees within your team, including the management of performance, annual leave, annualised hours, sickness and expenses claims
  • managing performance and capability effectively to ensure that the team are meeting statutory and council/ local targets
  • correct deployment of the councils’ policies and procedures within your team, notably health & safety and GDPR 
• leading by example in modelling the conduct, behaviour and values expected of the councils’ employees and establish a working environment within your team in which individuals can excel
• Being responsible for the appointment and development of all members in your team
• Taking initiative for solving issues and problems
• assisting and managing other aspects of the team’s work including input into access, sustainability, fire safety and new legislation
• making a positive contribution to corporate issues that impact on the Planning service area
• undertaking effective communication with colleagues, service managers, councillors, town and parish councils, outside agencies and the wider community.
• working closely with other team leaders across South and Vale and deputising for the service manager as required
• ensuring that diversity and equality are respected and embedded within your team
• Work closely with the Business Development Officer to proactively manage client relationships and to ensure the ‘soft’ marketing of the service at all levels.
• Representing either council equally and without bias to all outside bodies.

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

About You

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Building Act, The Building Regulations and all associated legislative frameworks relating to Building Control and a willingness and desire to keep knowledge up to date.
• Proven experience of successfully managing and leading a team, providing constructive feedback on performance and encouraging individuals to take training opportunities.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative for implementing improvements.
• Working, relatable knowledge and understanding of local government structure and political frameworks
• Proven track record at maintaining an excellent level of competence in a constantly changing and competitive environment
• Able to communicate ideas and expectations clearly, succinctly, using plain language and able to demonstrate political awareness and sensitivity.
• Working knowledge and understanding of health and safety issues and foster good practice within the team
• Occasionally deal with potentially dangerous structure situations in inclement conditions and anti-social times
• Ability to act as the lead officer ensuring compliance and enforcement within Building Regulations and ancillary legislation
• Excellent organisational skills together with prioritisation of available resources and management of appropriate performance systems.
• Proficient in the use of IT packages 

Your essential qualifications

• Degree or an equivalent qualification in building studies or a related field.
• Full professional membership of RICS, CABE or equivalent
• At least five years working at a senior level in the building control profession.
• Minimum Registered as a Class 2F & Class 4 Building Inspector.
• Hold full and current driving licence with ready access to a vehicle that is insured for business use.

If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus 

• Management qualification
• Validated/ Registered Class 3G/3H Building Inspector
• CIOB Certificate: Management of Public Service Building Control Certificate 
• CIOB Certificate: Managing Legislative Compliance Certificate 
• CIOB Certificate: Fire Safety in Complex Buildings Certificate 

Your style and behaviours

• Your approach at work needs to mirror our vision and values which are detailed below. In particular for this role, the following points are essential:
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to team members to enable them to excel and develop in their roles
• Takes initiative for solving issues and problems, taking responsibility for own and team’s actions and being proactive in finding solutions
• Positive communication – communicating key messages across the
• service and to all staff and team members in a positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Setting clear standards for ourselves and others to work towards
• Commitment to valuing diversity and equality, respecting customers and colleagues in all relationships and service delivery
• Reliable and able to work under pressure and meeting deadlines
• Diplomatic, tactful and able to maintain discretion in difficult circumstances.

Work Related Requirements

About Us

Our Vision

We are customer focused and approachable. We are honest and open and are committed to providing high quality cost-effective public services.

The Benefits we offer

• A basic 25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days after five years.  You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
  
• Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!
  
• Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
  
• A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
  
• The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!
• Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more)
  
• We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
  
• A range of resources, support, and activities to help you maintain your wellbeing including a monthly wellbeing hour in addition to annualised hours (the ability to work flexibly as long as, over the course of the year, you complete your contracted hours) and annual leave.

How to apply

Having read about our role if you have any questions please email Natasha Ireland at natasha.ireland@southandvale.gov.uk

If this job excites you please complete our online application at https://southandvale.livevacancies.co.uk/#/

We look forward to hearing from you.