Candidate Information Pack Director of External Affairs and Partnerships March 2018

Transcription

1 Candidate Information Pack Director of External Affairs and Partnerships March 2018

2 Welcome letter Thank you for your interest in joining Optivo as Director of External Affairs and Partnerships. This is an exciting time for Optivo. We were formed in May 2017 from the merger of AmicusHorizon and Viridian and in the seven months since merger we ve made great progress towards fulfilling our purpose of: Building Homes, Making Places and Enhancing Lives. Key to this is our plan to invest 3.5 billion over the next decade to build upwards of 15,000 homes. To date Optivo has done a great job building-up our 750 million development pipeline and establishing a new development and sales team. We ve also secured our place as a GLA Strategic Partner and funding for 2,600 homes in London to This represents a significant increase in ambition and output. To put this in context, our legacy organisations were each building an average of around 300 homes a year. Stepping up to 1,500 homes a year will involve a shift in emphasis towards larger, land-led schemes. This will give Optivo the opportunity to become a leading mixed-tenure developer and placemaker. As well as positioning Optivo as a major regional developer we also want to be recognised as thought leaders in the sector. We re looking to recruit a creative and innovative thinker to work directly with me to build Optivo s brand and influence stakeholders at the highest levels. This is an incredibly exciting time for Optivo we have the capacity and resources to play a major role in tackling the housing crisis. Key to unlocking that capacity are the relationships we build with stakeholders If you think you have the skills and ambition to succeed in this exciting role, at this exciting time for Optivo, then we d love to hear from you.. We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best of luck. Paul Hackett Chief Executive

3 About Optivo We re a major housing association providing over 44,000 homes for 90,000 people in London, the South East and the Midlands. With an annual turnover of 306million, we re a strong housing association. We re also part of the g15, the group of London s 15 largest housing associations. We work with residents, local authorities, and partners to meet housing need, and to create safe, sustainable communities for our residents. We also help residents make the most of their lives through jobs, training, financial and digital inclusion. Our values Our values guide our people and inform their behaviours and decisions. Our values are: Customer Focussed One Team Respect Enthusiastic Our values underpin the successful delivery of our objectives and: Inspire exceptional service to residents Help us work together successfully as one team Ensure our people are driven, committed and enthusiastic to deliver success Are easy for staff to engage with and support the ethos of valuing our people Are relevant to our business objectives as a modern social housing provider and developer

4 Our strategic objectives Our ambition is to be a leading housing provider, building more new homes to fulfil our social purpose. From 2017 to 2020, we ll: Provide sector leading service Value our people Maximise our social impact Ensure a sustainable business. These objectives will support us in building a new business which will be known for: Keeping customers at the heart of everything we do Exceptional customer service Building communities Social impact as well as bricks and mortar Meeting housing need at all levels Influencing housing policy A great employee offer Innovation and efficiency.

5 Optivo Structure Chart

6 Job Profile Job Purpose Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, lead the development and implementation of Optivo s public affairs strategy. Increase Optivo s influence through development of high quality, impactful research, public policy proposals and other new initiatives. Represent Optivo in public forms and through regular contributions in the trade and national press. Build Optivo s reputation as a thought leader enabling the organisation to optimise our social purpose and achieve our objectives. Contribute to the overall leadership of Optivo as a member of the Leadership Team. Keep up to date with sector and wider public policy issues, in order to advise the CEO and Executive Team. Principal Accountabilities Lead the development and implementation of Optivo s public affairs strategy. Support the Chief Executive in positioning Optivo as a thought leader. Support the Chief Executive in their role as Chair of the g15. Develop a credible evidence-base and set of research initiatives on which to base policy initiatives. Lead a series of high quality, public policy proposals and present these to government and other stakeholders, winning their support for initiatives that will help Optivo fulfil our strategic goals. Build and manage relationships with key political stakeholders (in particular Prime Minister s office, the Treasury, the MHCLG, Homes England, the GLA and local authorities). Build and manage relationships with other stakeholders (including the media, relevant non-profits and potential private sector development partners) Regularly author articles and speak at public / industry events Support the Chief Executive in high-level meetings / events and support the Executive Leadership Team in urgent and / or high importance work Identify potential systemic risks (e.g. market downturn, change of government) and devise response plan Champion resident focus and ensure residents are at the heart of all activity As a member of the Leadership Team inspire, lead and be a role model to others. Embrace and promote Optivo culture, C.O.R.E. values and behaviours, creating an environment which is supportive and a place where it is enjoyable to work.

7 Relationships Board Executive Team Leadership Team Housing associations Trade bodies Housing organisations Prime Minister s office The Treasury MHCLG Homes England GLA and local authorities Person specification 1. Knowledge and experience Comprehensive understanding of the housing sector and housing market. Proven track record in successfully developing and implementing organisational-wide public affairs strategies Experience of drafting complex policy influencing pieces for external audiences such as politicians, trade press etc. Broad understanding of public affairs and public affairs outcomes with ability to Influence policy in public sector. 2. Skills High level of original, conceptual thinking skills Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills Highly numerate and analytical Quantitative and qualitative research skills Good IT skills with ability use these to analyse complex data and draw robust conclusions. Highly developed planning & organisational skills 3. Abilities Ability to think strategically and to produce effective strategies Able to operate and influence at the highest levels with government Ability to build effective internal and external relationships and networks at a senior level Possess the confidence and credibility to collaborate and negotiate effectively with professional, trade and government bodies High level of analytical and problem solving ability Ability to retain the big picture at all times when representing Optivo

8 Behavioural competencies 1. Customer Focussed Uses customer needs and operational feedback to drive business strategy, policies and operational practice Sets high standards and goals for customer service satisfaction and ensures these are met by role modelling and implementing change for improvements Forms strategic and diverse groups / partnerships to improve services. 2. One Team Finds opportunities to build new coalitions and enhance collaboration with stakeholders and colleagues to ensure high performance Encourages and promotes cross team working and collaboration, putting team work at the heart of decision making. 3. Respect Instigates change and works to encourage open, honest dialogue implementing an inclusive work and learning environment Strategic decision making is carried out reflecting cultural issues and perspectives gained through consultation with others Actively promotes Optivo s Diversity Strategy commitment to progress women and BAME colleagues more proportionately. 4. Enthusiastic Proactively seeks out and seizes opportunities to further Optivo s mission Delivers Optivo s leadership standards Motivates and inspires others to be ambitious, creating a positive and high performing culture Champions a high energy and enthusiastic environment which supports colleagues creative input Further relevant information Travel between sites will be a requirement for this role There will be a requirement to attend meetings and other activities outside of normal working hours You will need to adopt and comply with legal and regulatory requirements, organisational values, policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, Procurement, Data Quality & Assurance, Safeguarding, Value for Money No Job description can cover every issue which may arise within the job at various times and the job holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time, which are broadly consistent with those described

9 Brilliant leadership Competencies

10 Timetable for Recruitment Closing Date for Applications 22 nd March 2018 Shortlisting 27 th March 2018 Final Stage Interview TBC