Service Charge & Income OfficerRecruitment Pack - October 2019

How to Apply

For more information about us and how to apply, please visit our website: Unitedcommunities.org.ukPlease complete our application form and diversity monitoring form. Please note this is for monitoring purposes only and send to: joinus@unitedcommunities.org.uk

Closing date for applications is Midday on Monday 28 OctoberInterviews will be held on Tuesday 5 November

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Who Are We?

United Communities (UC) is a dynamic, community based housing association, and was established in 2013 when two Bristol-based housing associations, Bristol Community Housing Foundation (BCHF) and United Housing Association (UHA), began working together in partnership and merged formally in 2017.  We are a Community Benefit Society and we are regulated by the Social Housing Regulator. UC own and manage just under 2,000 homes across the wider Bristol area and Swindon.  The vast majority of our homes are for general social housing residents but we also provide some specialist homes for vulnerable people who may need more support and a sheltered housing scheme in central Bristol. In addition, we have about 150 shared ownership properties.

In 2017 we agreed an ambitious development programme to build 500 new homes by 2021. We are well on the way to achieving this with a varied pipeline including several innovative community led schemes.

At United Communities we are committed to delivering More Than Just a Roof.  This means going the extra mile for our customers; valuing the skills and experience that residents bring to us by ‘co-producing’ our services with them, and striving to have a positive impact on all our residents’ lives by providing good quality homes, a great service and vibrant communities.Please follow this link to read our latest newsletter – ‘More +’ which sets out our performance and latest news.

Background

At United Communities we are committed to delivering More Than Just a Roof. This means going the extra mile for our customers and striving to have a positive impact on all our residents’ lives by providing good quality homes, a great service and vibrant communities.

Job Role

You’ll be working within our small Finance Team at our lovely open plan offices near to the City centre. This is a key role in the team, focusing on delivering a fantastic service to our customers. We have a great benefits package, and more than that, a transparent and open culture where we really value the contribution our people make.

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Role Profile Position: Service Charge and Income OfficerReports to: Finance Manager

Overall purpose of the role:

To ensure that the organisation is levying and recording service charges in a fair, methodical and accurate way. To ensure that all rental income is recorded in a timely manner and to liaise with colleagues, partners and contractors to ensure they are complying with statutory requirements, our policies and best practice in this area.

Corporate responsibilities: With an emphasis on strong and positive communications and collaborative

working, deliver agreed business objectives and plans. Demonstrate a commitment to value for money and drive forward continuous

achievement of high-quality customer service in all that we do. Work with all our colleagues, customers and stakeholders in a way that

reflects our Values. Build and maintain effective and productive working relationships with internal

and external stakeholders; be an ambassador for UC, creating a positive impression.

Uphold our Equalities and Diversity Policies and ensure effective implementation and delivery relating to staff. Promote equality and diversity as part of the culture of the organisation.

Act at all times within laid down guidance/stipulations in our Rules, Policies, Procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, Code of Conduct and Office Handbook, including compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Functional responsibilities: Achieve your performance objectives for this role Keep clear records of all Service Charge income and expenditure to the

scheme level Liaise with tenants regarding any Section 20 requirements Work collaboratively with the Asset Management team on the communal

cyclical programme that impact on sinking funds Maintain a clear and accurate record of all Sinking Fund collected including

monthly reconciliation to the Bank Account Produce annual Sinking Fund statements for all affected tenants Assist with the procurement of all Service chargeable contracts Set clear and accurate budgets for the service charge in a timely manner and

to manage the consultation of these changes

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Work with the Development team to set service charges and budgets on new build schemes, and plan for sinking funds with new Shared ownership/ leasehold products

Liaise with Housing Officers to discuss particular additional requirements of each scheme

Work with HRS to ensure awareness of day to day repairs that could impact service charge costs/budgets

Produce accurate statements by scheme level on an annual basis Lead on the annual Service Charge audit Ensure that financial reporting truly reflects the financial position of the

scheme Look for Value for Money in all costs relating to Service Charge contracts Ensure that any under / over recoveries are rectified in a timely and accurate

manner Be the main point of contact for all Service Charge enquiries Source and implement an appropriate system on which accurate Service

Charge records can be kept Demonstrate an understanding of leases or leasehold management

Rent Ledger Input all rent receipts in a timely and accurate manner Ensure that rent and service charges are levied in a timely Be the main point of contact for all rent queries from colleagues within United

Communities Ensure that any rent adjustments or refunds are completed accurately and in

a timely manner Produce a daily reconciliation of all rent accounts

General Provide cover for other members of the team as directed. Be flexible to change within the organisation when necessary and provide

assistance if required Carry out other duties commensurate with the post as directed.

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Person Specification – Service Charge Officer

Professional Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Education & Qualifications

GCSE Level C or equivalent including English and Maths Educated to A Level

Experience, knowledge, understanding

Proven experience of setting, monitoring and managing housing service charges and rent setting.

Previous experience of working in a service charge team on estimates, actuals and balancing charges.

Understanding of leases, legal arrangements and other obligations.

Experience of dealing with customers from different backgrounds.

Numerate and with the ability to provide and process information accurately and in a timely manner.

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Well developed knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

particularly Word & Excel.

Behaviours Make a difference Show respect and tolerance for all Thrive through teamwork and partnership Deliver a great service

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Summary terms and conditions

Salary £25,338 to £29,033

Annual Leave 28 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + bank holidays

Working hours Normal office hours are Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm with one hour for lunch, equating to a 37 hour week. This pattern of working hours may be varied by agreement with you at the discretion of your line manager.

Pension Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (Social Housing Pension Scheme – 6.5% employer contribution, average 3% employee contribution)

Other benefits Healthcare cashback plan (or equivalent contribution for gym membership)

Flexible leave policy enabling the buying/selling of up to 5 days per year (subject to conditions)

Cycle to Work Scheme SMART Working Employee Loan Free tea and coffee in the office Free Christmas meal Free annual flu’ jab

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