LFB – Interim Head of Property

London Fire Brigade Interim Head of Property

Candidate Information Pack

INTRODUCTION

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is the busiest of all the fire services in the United Kingdom, with a vision to be a world class fire and rescue service for London, Londoners and visitors, making London the safest global city. With a real estate portfolio of over 100 properties, the LFB owns and occupies a diverse, large-scale and hugely important property portfolio that supports the crucial work of over 5,000 staff. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, the Head of Property will be appointed to transform LFB’s property function such that it represents a best in class property service that supports the strategic objectives and operational needs of the organisation. Key deliverables over an 18-month contract term include creating a vision and strategy for the operating model of the property function and development of a 5-10 year property strategy in line with LFB’s overall business plan. The successful candidate will have a proven track in a senior property or estates management role across a complex property portfolio together with the ability to lead and influence at various levels within a large, complex organisation. The role calls for an individual that has demonstrable experience of leading organisational transformation programmes in a property and facilities environment and who is able to develop overarching property and estates strategies. The role offers the opportunity for an individual to take a high-profile and transformative property leadership role within an inspirational, world-renowned organisation and estate-occupier.

ABOUT LFB London Fire Brigade is the busiest fire and rescue service in the country. What’s more, we are one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world protecting people and property from fire within the 1587 square kilometers of Greater London. London Fire Brigade is here to help make London the safest global city. Our vision is to be a world class fire and rescue service for London, Londoners and visitors. A number of factors are important to us and they influence how the Brigade will meet the challenges of making London a safer place to live, work and visit. Our main role as a fire and rescue service is to make London the safest global city. This means working to make sure London has the lowest number of fires, and fewer injuries and deaths caused by fire.

JOB DESCRIPTION

London Fire Brigade (“LFB”) Union Street, London £90,000 p.a. plus excellent benefits

Department & Company Name:

Location: Salary:

Yes

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Role Purpose: To transform LFB’s property function such that it represents a best in class property service incorporating project management (capital, major and minor projects) and facilities management. Key role functions will include: The London Fire Brigade (“LFB”) has a need for an experienced interim Head of Property who will lead a transformation of its internal property function and culture inclusive of property services, project management and Facilities Management (“FM”) services across a property portfolio comprising c.105 properties.

The role, which will be on a fixed term contract for an 18 month duration, will require the interim to: • responsibility for the management of property management across the LFB portfolio; • document vision and strategy for the internal property function; • development of a 5-10 year property strategy in line with LFB’s overall business plan; • develop governance and an implementation plan to support the transformation and communicate progress to the organisational Board at regular intervals; • setting up a communication and liaison plan for the transition process that clearly demonstrates improvement to the organisational stakeholders; • line management responsibility for the property management team including strategically leading a service culture including leading the internal team through the transformation process such that the service provided to the estate improves over the transformation process; • assess the current position and determine the need for future resource – this is likely to include consultation with the internal team and liaison with Trade Unions as well as potential recruitment; • in conjunction with other stakeholders, manage the exit of a major contract which provides Integrator Services to the portfolio whilst transitioning to an internal model; • develop procurement strategy for critical services such as Help Desk and MIS, BMS etc.; • overseeing mobilisation of new services to support the property function; • managing the transition of the incumbent supply chain to the new operating model; • delivering best practice project management services for capital and major projects and minor works; and • ensuring the development of processes and procedures which support an internal property function which will be supported by a service delivery supply chain. Key Accountabilities - Performance Measures Strategy Lead on the development and implementation of LFB’s property and assets strategy that underpins the organisational needs. Work in collaboration with peers, Leadership, the Board and colleagues to ensure the successful development of the property strategy. Improving efficiency in systems and performance in asset management and utilisation of our assets across the organisation. Lead the development of new ways of working to improve our services including the integration of new technology into day to day practices – this will include overseeing the procurement of a Help Desk and MIS solution. Organisational Planning Lead on the development and delivery of property asset management, business plans and operational action plans where appropriate. Collaborate with other service heads and lead service improvement projects to deliver the Property strategy and support other key strategies across the organisation. Continually improve people, processes and systems to meet customer need, through innovative thinking, challenging existing working and management practice and being a visible change leader in support of the organisational aims. Ensure that LFB is developing the depth and quality of its asset management to optimise our portfolio in support of our broader strategic aims.

JOB DESCRIPTION CONTINUED

Leadership and Team Management Across property and wider, lead, motivate, manage and develop the team with a focus on excellence in customer service, performance, meeting service standards, equality and diversity, value for money and efficiency to ensure that the service operates within the overall aims and objectives of the organisation. Personnel management: staff deployment, performance review and involvement in selection, induction, attendance management, resolution of employee relations issues. Training, development and the mentoring of the immediate team. Develop mechanisms for the engagement of staff across the services, division and directorate ensuring effective communication and participation in organisational initiatives. To define department objectives (in agreement with line manager), monitor progress and ensure these are achieved. Management of Customer and Stakeholder Relationships To define property vision and objectives (in agreement with senior stakeholders), monitor progress and ensure these are achieved. To implement and develop a customer focused service ethic throughout the property team structure. To ensure customers are continuously engaged to ensure property needs are understood and key milestones are communicated. To engage with other business stakeholders, including consultants, procurement, Health & Safety, audit, and supply chain to ensure value for money is achieved. Leading the property team in their management of projects which will include providing technical support and sharing of project management and programme management skills with the team. Contract & Commercial Management To be the senior point of contact for all property related supply chain. To define the governance structure and engagement model between LFB and the supply chain, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clear at all levels and VFM is procured throughout. To work with the Head of Procurement to oversee the successful exit of a major Integrator Contract. Compliance Management Establish mechanisms to ensuring 100% statutory, legislative and regulatory compliance across the LFB property portfolio and ensuring associated compliance related documentation is maintained accurately and in a timely manner. Oversee the setting up of H&S processes and procedures to support a best in class property function. Ensuring all property team members are competently trained for the duties that they are responsible for.

Financial Control & Management Accurate & timely financial forecasting, reporting & management for all aspects of the property portfolio – ensuring cost and quality control of services within budget. Overseeing and managing the transformation budget. Identifying & reporting financial and commercial efficiencies, innovations and improvements. Organisational Governance To ensure the development and implementation of operational and procedural governance and process that supports robust cost and quality control within the Property department. To develop and manage monthly management reporting and related management information to support the Property department. Skills/ Competencies/ Experience Required Education • Required: Degree level or equivalent qualification. • Required: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or alternative relevant postgraduate qualification. • Desirable: Current IoSH or NEBOSH qualification. Previous Knowledge/ Skills/ Experience • Required: Minimum of 10 years post qualification experience in a property or estates management role. • Required: Experience in change management and preferably previous experience in an interim capacity. • Required: Team leadership experience and an ability to influence at appropriate levels of the business through proven management and leadership skills Required: Excellent practical knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and statutory requirements, CDM Regulations and all relevant Codes of Practice associated with the provision of property management and delivery. • Required: Excellent IT skills. • Required: Excellent written and verbal communication skills and robust decision making skills. Dimensions • Budgetary responsibility of property, project management and FM services in excess of £40m.

WORKING FOR LFB London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and we want our workforce to reflect this diversity. We want people from all backgrounds who can do the job, regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, faith or religion and age. This brings with it a responsibility to treat each other with fairness and respect. London Fire Brigade offers a range of staff benefits. Annual Leave Everyone needs a break now and then, so London Fire Brigade’s annual leave allowance starts at 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays). There is also the opportunity to have extra ‘optional days’ depending on your normal working hours. Flexible working The environment you work in is key to your role so at London Fire Brigade there are flexible working arrangements available to suit your job and work area. Childcare London Fire Brigade is committed to supporting its staff both inside and outside of the workplace so they offer support with childcare which includes vouchers or an allowance for eligible staff.

Pension Scheme Retirement may be a distant thought but London Fire Brigade offers a contributory pension scheme throughout your career with the brigade. Travelling to work Commuting can be a big factor in where you work so if this is something you need to consider before applying you should know that London Fire Brigade offer an interest free season ticket loan to help make the journey a bit easier. Personal development No matter what area of the authority you work in London Fire Brigade are keen to support personal development. There are opportunities to develop skills for your role as well as take part in training to help you take steps to progress at London Fire Brigade.

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY LFB value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

LFB are being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG). To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisors Ben Duffill ([email protected]) and Rob Cullum ([email protected]) of MRG on 0203 962 9900 or 020 8892 0115. Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and a covering letter (of not more than 2 pages). Applications should be sent to

[email protected] and [email protected]. The closing date for applications is Sunday 21st July 2019. Interviews will take place with LFB on Wednesday 28th August 2019.