OR115318 – Relationship Manager (Project) – Housing

Work Pattern: 36 hours a week,

PAYE Pay Rate: £251.24 per day

Main Purpose of the Role

To manage and monitor contractor performance across Southwark Council’s Voids Service, ensuring contractors deliver works on time, to the required quality, within budget and in line with contractual and compliance requirements.

The role will have a particular focus on reducing the backlog of empty properties, improving turnaround times, supporting rental income recovery and ensuring contractors provide value for money.

Typical Day

• Monitor contractor KPIs and void turnaround times.

• Review aged and delayed void properties.

• Attend contractor performance meetings.

• Challenge poor performance and agree improvement actions.

• Monitor contractor workload, capacity and productivity.

• Review costs, valuations and variations.

• Produce weekly/monthly performance reports and dashboards.

• Identify risks, delays and compliance issues.

• Work with operational teams and contractors to resolve problems.

• Support the Voids Recovery Programme and backlog reduction.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with voids contractors and Plentific providers.

• Monitor KPIs, SLAs, quality and productivity.

• Manage contractor performance and improvement plans.

• Monitor backlog and aged void reduction.

• Review contractor costs and value for money.

• Lead weekly/monthly contractor review meetings.

• Monitor contractual and statutory compliance.

• Produce management information and performance reports.

• Identify and escalate risks and underperformance.

• Support continuous improvement across the Voids Service.

Key Skills

• Strong contractor and supplier management experience.

• Good knowledge of housing repairs, maintenance or voids.

• Strong KPI and performance management skills.

• Commercial and financial awareness.

• Good Excel/data analysis and reporting skills.

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

• Ability to challenge contractors confidently.

• Strong problem-solving and organisational skills.

Essential Experience / Qualifications

Essential:

• Experience managing housing, repairs, maintenance, property or voids contracts.

• Experience managing contractor performance and KPIs.

• Experience with commercial/financial contract reviews.

• Experience managing multiple suppliers.

• Experience producing performance reports and dashboards.

• Experience working in a local authority, housing association or similar environment.