Legal Services Manager
| Posting date: | 02 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £72,000.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | 72000 - 72000 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 July 2024 |
| Location: | Second Floor, 230 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NW |
| Company: | Vacancy Filler |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | JUL20249665 |
Summary
Founded in 1967 as the Merton Family Housing Trust, we have since grown into an organisation with over 7,000 homes across nine south London boroughs. We are a provider of homes for rent (social and affordable), shared ownership, outright sale, and supported housing. We also have a small portfolio of commercial properties and garages.
It is really important to us that you share and reflect our values making sure our customers receive a dependable and localised service.
You are experienced Solicitor with a proven track record in conducting litigation and managing an in-house legal team for a social housing provider. You will working closely with the Head of Legal Services, to develop and deliver a first-class legal service at Wandle Housing Association.
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">A day in the life:</h4>
You will:
Assist and deputise for the Head of Legal Services as and when required
Have responsibility for providing direct line management to part of the Legal Services team. You’ll be a strong role model committed to delivering Wandle’s shared values, vision and purpose.
Conducting all aspects of housing management advice and litigation including
- anti-social behaviour (ASB) injunctions and possession claims;
- breach of tenancy claims and injunctions; committal proceedings;
- defended rent arrears and counterclaims;
- disability discrimination and human rights issues;
- housing conditions and Environmental Protection Act claims;
- injunctions for access (including health and safety and statutory compliance);
- leasehold advice and litigation including in the First Tier Tribunal;
- service charges; succession; tenancy fraud.
Leading on all aspects of Wandle’s ASB legal work, with specialist understanding and working experience.
Manage cases of all levels of complexity instructing counsel and other professionals as necessary.
Working with the Head of Legal Services and the internal stakeholders to develop policy, tools, and precedents, and to deliver high levels of oversight and consistency to drive excellence in service delivery.
Provide training for the Legal Services team and our colleagues in other teams.
Brief Counsel and/or conduct own advocacy where appropriate on behalf of Wandle in court/tribunal and liaise with barristers, external solicitors and third parties as appropriate.
Assist in the development and implementation of effective processes and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective service provision.
Provide regular updates and briefings on relevant litigation procedures, case law and best practice.
Liaise with clients, suppliers, and staff at all levels across the organisation to deliver a joined-up service. Build and maintain effective working relationships with external contacts and partners including updating colleagues in respect of changes in the law.
Ensure confidentiality, sensitivity, and a professional approach in all activities.
Keep up to date with the constitutional, legal and regulatory framework within which Housing Associations operate. This also includes keeping up to date records in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority/CILEX Regulation continuing competence requirements and development. To ensure that such knowledge is shared to encourage a knowledgeable and compliance focused culture.
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">What you’ll need:</h4>
A current practising certificate – Barrister, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with minimum of 7 years relevant PQE
Track record of management within a legal team for a housing association or other public sector landlord
Extensive experience of providing high quality housing management legal advice and litigation for social landlords
Experience of developing and implementing processes and procedures within housing management litigation or contentious property legal work
Experience of developing talent and supporting and up-skilling more junior staff
Experience of conducting and advising on complex contentious litigation
Strong case management skills in particular Microsoft Office suite and Outlook with ability to communicate clearly and accurately to a range of audiences
Ability to present information in a variety of forms to a high standard, including excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent legal drafting skill
Skilled networker both internally and externally – building relationships which help us achieve our corporate aims and objectives
What next?
If you want to be part of a winning team that takes pride in delivering a positive experience to our customers and believe you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and supporting statement on no more than two sides of A4 ensuring you address the ‘What you will need to have” section set out in role profile by 12 July 2024.
Please also note that ahead of the final stage interviews you may be asked to undertake a number of online tests/assessments.
Interviews will be held second half of July 2024. Please note, we are not able to provide sponsorship for any of our roles.
For more information about Wandle, including our corporate strategy, click here: https://www.wandle.com/careers/
It is really important to us that you share and reflect our values making sure our customers receive a dependable and localised service.
You are experienced Solicitor with a proven track record in conducting litigation and managing an in-house legal team for a social housing provider. You will working closely with the Head of Legal Services, to develop and deliver a first-class legal service at Wandle Housing Association.
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">A day in the life:</h4>
You will:
Assist and deputise for the Head of Legal Services as and when required
Have responsibility for providing direct line management to part of the Legal Services team. You’ll be a strong role model committed to delivering Wandle’s shared values, vision and purpose.
Conducting all aspects of housing management advice and litigation including
- anti-social behaviour (ASB) injunctions and possession claims;
- breach of tenancy claims and injunctions; committal proceedings;
- defended rent arrears and counterclaims;
- disability discrimination and human rights issues;
- housing conditions and Environmental Protection Act claims;
- injunctions for access (including health and safety and statutory compliance);
- leasehold advice and litigation including in the First Tier Tribunal;
- service charges; succession; tenancy fraud.
Leading on all aspects of Wandle’s ASB legal work, with specialist understanding and working experience.
Manage cases of all levels of complexity instructing counsel and other professionals as necessary.
Working with the Head of Legal Services and the internal stakeholders to develop policy, tools, and precedents, and to deliver high levels of oversight and consistency to drive excellence in service delivery.
Provide training for the Legal Services team and our colleagues in other teams.
Brief Counsel and/or conduct own advocacy where appropriate on behalf of Wandle in court/tribunal and liaise with barristers, external solicitors and third parties as appropriate.
Assist in the development and implementation of effective processes and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective service provision.
Provide regular updates and briefings on relevant litigation procedures, case law and best practice.
Liaise with clients, suppliers, and staff at all levels across the organisation to deliver a joined-up service. Build and maintain effective working relationships with external contacts and partners including updating colleagues in respect of changes in the law.
Ensure confidentiality, sensitivity, and a professional approach in all activities.
Keep up to date with the constitutional, legal and regulatory framework within which Housing Associations operate. This also includes keeping up to date records in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority/CILEX Regulation continuing competence requirements and development. To ensure that such knowledge is shared to encourage a knowledgeable and compliance focused culture.
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">What you’ll need:</h4>
A current practising certificate – Barrister, Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with minimum of 7 years relevant PQE
Track record of management within a legal team for a housing association or other public sector landlord
Extensive experience of providing high quality housing management legal advice and litigation for social landlords
Experience of developing and implementing processes and procedures within housing management litigation or contentious property legal work
Experience of developing talent and supporting and up-skilling more junior staff
Experience of conducting and advising on complex contentious litigation
Strong case management skills in particular Microsoft Office suite and Outlook with ability to communicate clearly and accurately to a range of audiences
Ability to present information in a variety of forms to a high standard, including excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent legal drafting skill
Skilled networker both internally and externally – building relationships which help us achieve our corporate aims and objectives
What next?
If you want to be part of a winning team that takes pride in delivering a positive experience to our customers and believe you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and supporting statement on no more than two sides of A4 ensuring you address the ‘What you will need to have” section set out in role profile by 12 July 2024.
Please also note that ahead of the final stage interviews you may be asked to undertake a number of online tests/assessments.
Interviews will be held second half of July 2024. Please note, we are not able to provide sponsorship for any of our roles.
For more information about Wandle, including our corporate strategy, click here: https://www.wandle.com/careers/