*The role*
Check you match the skill requirements for this role, as well as associated experience, then apply with your CV below.
We’re looking for an exceptional candidate who is a Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive who wants to make a difference and thrives in a challenging environment. If you have a proven track record within Legal Services we are currently recruiting for a *Legal Services Manager* on the Litigation side of the team.
Within this role you’ll work closely with the Head of Legal Services (Litigation) to shape the Compliance workstream delivery by the Southern Housing Legal Services team ensuring consistently excellent service delivery in this area. Each of our Legal Services Managers are experienced lawyers with a focus on a business critical workstream:
* This focus area primarily deals with the Compliance focus area of the Southern Housing Legal Services team. It primarily deals with the work we do for issues such as injunctions associated with access for gas, electricity etc. which is expected to increase with the cost of living situation. There is also likely to be an increased need in legal action to secure access for Compliance with the emerging Building safety regime. This role also has a remit for tenancy breach possession actions, including those relating to subletting, abandonment and tenancy fraud etc.
* As the subject matter expert for the legal services team, you’ll develop a specialist understanding of the law, regulatory framework and internal policy in the focus area staying abreast of developments impacting on the conduct of litigation in the focus area and ensure the whole team dealing with those cases apply best practice in line with those developments using a suite of precedents and templates you keep up to date.
* Working with the Head of Legal Services (Litigation) and the internal stakeholders to develop tools, precedents, and deliver high levels of oversight and consistency and drive excellence in service delivery.
* Provide training as needed for the Legal Services team and our Southern Housing colleagues in other teams.
* You’ll also carry a personal caseload of housing management litigation and as well as other contentious matters
* As part of the role you’ll also be responsible for directly managing part of the Legal Services (Litigation) team
* You’ll be expected to be a strong role model of our HEART values and Southern Housing’s commitment to our residents.
* You’ll also have the ability to manage a caseload at a competent level (with appropriate support provided where necessary)
*What you’ll be doing …*
* You’ll inspire, lead, manage and be a role model, consistently demonstrating the Southern Housing culture and values and be able to offer guidance and support to those reporting to you.
* You’ll effectively manage members of the Legal Services team and role model Southern Housing’s HEART values and commitment to the group’s residents.
* You’ll manage, motivate, support, and develop those reporting to you to ensure excellent services are provided in line with organisational policies.
* You’ll champion resident focus and ensure those reporting to you put residents at the heart of all they do.
* You’ll be a single point of excellence for the team for Compliance advice and assistance undertaken by the team.
* You’ll develop the in-house legal provision in your focus area to meet the needs of Southern Housing and its Group partners and to ensure the efficient and effective provision of advice and assistance to the organisation.
* You’ll report to the Head of Legal (Litigation) and our stakeholders on the cases dealt with by the Litigation team in your area and attend meetings with colleagues throughout the organisation.
* You’ll develop and improve templates, precedents, draft briefing notes, provide training and filter your knowledge throughout the team to enable the Legal Services team members to provide an excellent service in your area.
* You’ll be happy to undertake legal research and advocacy when necessary relevant to your role in your focus area and to your general casework duties.
* You’ll have sufficient IT skills (in particular regarding Microsoft Office suite and Outlook) and be able to use Case Management Systems effectively.
* You’ll have the ability to present information in a variety of forms to a high standard with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
*What you'll need:*
* Qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
* A passion for excellence in the focus area (Compliance matters).
* A commitment to excellent service delivery and driving improvements in service delivery in your focus area.
* Experience of housing management related litigation and other contentious property and civil litigation, ideally in the Social Housing sector.
* Experience in drafting documents.
* An understanding of the legal and regulatory environment and processes
* ·Flexibility to attend Southern Housing’s offices as required in order to deliver the role).
* IT Skills, including the ability to self-sufficiently operate Microsoft Office suite and Outlook software.
*You’ll be based at one of our main offices in either Farringdon or Croydon with the option for working in a hybrid way when appropriate and as agreed with your manager. You’ll often have to travel between those two offices. You may also be required to travel occasionally to our other offices at Isle of Wight, Maidstone or Sittingbourne.*
*Closing date for applications:* *8th August 2024 at 23:59*.
*Please note that we will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the advert early so it is important that you submit your application as early as possible.*
*About us*
At Southern Housing, our residents are at the *heart* of everything we do. As one of the largest housing providers in the UK with over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we give over 167,000 people somewhere affordable to call their own!We also understand the difference that safe, secure, and affordable homes can make to people’s lives.
A career at Southern Housing will allow you to make a difference every day you come to work. Working in the housing sector with us will bring fresh challenges and give you the opportunity to grow and develop, too.
*What's in it for you*
* Pension
* Life assurance
* Healthcare cash plan
* Eyecare & dental
* Birthday leave
* Retailers discounts
* Cycle to work
* Buy & sell annual leave
* Season ticket loan
* In-house academy & career development
* Flexible working
*Inclusion and Diversity*
We work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture and environment where people are respected for who they are. Encouraging inclusion is not just about protected characteristics, it’s about celebrating differences of thought, opinion, experience and perspective of each individual. We’re all different in our own way and we want our colleagues to feel comfortable, that they belong, and are safe to be themselves at work, without fear of being judged or excluded, but valued for their contribution to our One Team approach.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £61,400.00 per year
Work Location: In person