Brierley Homes Opportunity
About us
At Brierley Homes we are proud of the high quality, bespoke new homes that we build in beautiful North Yorkshire. We create new communities that enhance their surroundings and bring happiness to residents. Places that thrive.
We are part of The Brierley Group, the trading arm established by the Council; a group of companies who work together for mutual benefit and whose revenue is reinvested into essential front-line public services across the County. We operate entirely independently under our own Articles of Association and Contract Procedure Rules, enabling us to operate, compete and grow commercially, with the added benefit of long term sustainable financial and land asset security. We are an A1 rated NHBC developer, proud members of the Home Builders Federation and also subscribe to the Consumer Code for Home Builders.
Our developments are made up of 10 to 50 well designed, quality homes - all bespoke and in highly desirable locations, such as York and Harrogate. We put design at the heart of everything we do. Our developments complement the surrounding area through the choice of finish and style of our homes. Each development is tailored to suit its location, ensuring it meets local housing needs and integrates well into the community. Attractive planting, practical car parking and spacious gardens reflect the quality of our developments from the moment you see them. We take the opportunity to utilise the land assets we own, to provide housing solutions that add social value.
We follow four values in everything we do:
- Design - bespoke designs for each development, responding to context
- Quality - high standard of construction quality
- Customer care - personal customer care
- Social value - profits are used to support essential front-line public Council services and we design homes that meet the diverse and complex needs of our residents
Since starting in 2017 we have gone from strength to strength. Our first highly sought after scheme in Thorpe Willoughby has successfully sold out, we currently have three developments open, with two more due to launch soon and a strong land portfolio that will continue to grow.
From April 2023 a new unitary council will bring together the current eight councils in North Yorkshire into one. As part of the Brierley Group this strengthens our position further; this will give us significantly more land opportunities and will form a key part of our expansion plans. We have a secure pipeline of sites ready for sale, land assets ready for development, firm financial security as a platform for further growth - we are now ready for you!
We’re now looking for a new Construction Manager to join us and take the lead in the next exciting chapter as we look to the future and how Brierley Homes can continue to provide quality new homes and excellent customer service.
You will be welcomed by a strong, supportive Board of Directors, who will provide professional development for the right candidate to grow their career as we grow the business.
This is a career enhancing opportunity; lead the growth of our small, thriving business, realise the opportunity of our extensive land assets and financial stability, create stunning places where residents and communities thrive.
Find your happy place… join us.
More information
Find out more about us by visiting our website.
You can read more about our work and see regular updates on our LinkedIn page.
About the role
Post title: Construction Manager
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £70k plus 10% PRP and employer contribution pension
Responsible to: Director and Board
Staff managed: team of specialist professionals
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Construction Manger to join us.
You will take the lead on the day to day running of the business, reporting to the board, ensuring our land pipeline is maintained and business plan is delivered. You will co-ordinate with a large number of contractors and build good working relationships with them in order to deliver projects on time and in budget.
With your strong interpersonal and communication skills, you will manage the contractual side of every stage of the build, working closely with contractors, architects, engineers, planners, surveyors and other building professionals in planning and delivery.
Having seen new build developments through to completion before, you will bring resilience and your problem-solving skills in order to overcome unexpected challenges that occur during the construction process. As someone who is organised you’ll use your time and resources effectively throughout each project.
Our Board of Directors are responsible for the supervision and management of the company and its business activities. We have plans to scale up and grow and you’ll be able to make professional judgement to make clear business-focused decisions. There is a long term funding agreement in place with our shareholder so there will not be a need to source finance in the open market. With your experience of the new build industry you will be able to provide strong commercial management, strategic direction and professional advice to the Brierley Homes Board. Demonstrating the experience you have of developing business plans, business cases, leading people and performance management and applying creativity and innovation to problem solving.
As a leader, you’ll manage your small team of Project Managers across three to four sites at a time and motivate them to ensure a high standard of work is completed safely, within the agreed timeframe, to quality and budget.
You may be a Contract Manager for a volume house builder, looking for the next step up in your career or you might currently be in a similar level role but looking for a new challenge. We are happy to look at developing the right candidate to grow the business.
This role offers the opportunity to join a SME, strategic house builder that offers stability of funding and land that many other companies can’t - all based in the stunning surroundings of North Yorkshire, a desirable and in demand location for house buyers.
Role context, job description and person specification
Role context
Who are we?
- we are an SME housebuilder operating in York and North Yorkshire
- our target site size has a capacity of between 10 and 50 dwellings
- we build well designed, quality homes for market sale
- our target customer is primarily mid to upper market consumers
Competitive advantage
- we are well funded through our parent North Yorkshire Council
- we have unique access to a pipeline of county owned land assets
- our developments are small in scale and bespoke to each location
- all our profits are used to support essential front-line Council services
Ownership and operation
- we are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Council
- we operate independently under our own articles of association and contract procedure rules
- we have limited direct staffing and buy in operational and project based professional services
Shareholder value
- we will deliver a rolling programme of 60 to 80 units per annum
- we expect to deliver 250 homes over the business plan period
- we buy in professional services from the Council to operate the business
- our funding is through a commercial loan facility provided by the Council
- we expect to generate shareholder value of £15m over the business plan period
What we want
- an experienced, hardworking and professional construction / commercial manager to join our team
- an individual who will lead the day-to-day running of the business, reporting to the board, ensuring our land pipeline is maintained and business plan is delivered
- you will be responsible for ensuring that our building projects are completed safely, within an agreed timeframe, to quality and budget
- managing the contractual side of every stage of the build, you will work closely with contractors, architects, engineers, planners, surveyors and other building professionals in planning and delivery. Managing a small team of two talented project managers across three to four live sites on an annual basis
- a manager with expertise and accountability for commercial WIP management, contractor negotiations, client compensation events, local tender pricing, Sub-contractor management including negotiation of SLAs and rates, cash and WIP Management, profit and loss and cost management
- someone with an understanding of planning promotion and land development life cycle
Structure
Job description
Purpose
The core focus of this job is to be the operational lead for the business, ensuring development and delivery of the business plan.
In this role, you will:
Operational management
- lead and manage a team of professional and technical staff to develop and deliver the development programme in line with the business plan
- ensure that our building projects are completed safely, within an agreed timeframe, to quality and budget
- manage the contractual side of every stage of the build, working closely with contractors, architects, engineers, planners, surveyors and other building professionals in planning and delivery
- identify new land opportunities for Brierley Homes
- provide strong commercial management, strategic direction and professional advice to the Brierley Homes Board
- manage a small team of two talented Project Managers across three to four live sites on an annual basis
- proactively working with the Brierley Group of companies, supporting shareholder value for the group
Communications
- influence and negotiate with consultants, contractors, agents on a commercial basis
- build a positive brand and image for the Company
- engage effectively and build strong relationships with county / district / parish councillors and MPs
- communicate ideas, research and business intelligence effectively both orally and in writing
- write and present reports at Board meetings for relevant senior leaders and directors including Council committees
Partnership / corporate working
- proactively develop effective external relationships with principal contractors, architects, planners, engineers, surveyors and estate agents
- work with Brierley Group Companies, APP, First North Law, NY Highways and Council SLA service units, including legal, risk, finance and property, as required to ensure delivery of the programme
Resource management
Brierley Homes are funded exclusively through a £25m credit facility which is available from its parent the Council on commercial terms. This generates a loan coupon for the Council which generates a financial return to them.
- deliver projected revenues from the active pipeline of site over the identified business plan projects is c. £30m and will deliver 100 homes
- provide overall leadership and direction of staff within the company
- provide overall leadership and direction of consultants, contractors and professional service providers to deliver time and resource bound initiatives
- manage and coordinate project teams made up of a range of external stakeholders
- report on key performance indicators and robustly manage performance
Systems and information
- use appropriate ICT tools to support the management and delivery of projects
- ensure that analysis of data and information is carried out to ensure an evidence led approach to intervention
- ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place for all projects to safeguard the position of the Company
- ensure an effective response to changes in national legislation and regulation
Strategic management
- lead, determine and implement strategies / service and action plans together with strategic programme and project management, working with senior managers to develop and implement the commercial investment programme.
- report objectives linked to business plan delivery to the Board, including the profit target per project and gross development value
- provide constructive challenge at a strategic level and be capable of building a robust, evidence-based case for change
- pro-actively facilitate agreement and approval of project scope, goals, deliverables and benefits to define tasks and resource requirements
Person specification
Knowledge
| Essential upon appointment | Desirable on appointment |
| Significant knowledge of construction management, housing development and overseeing quality on site, contracts and delivered on time and to budget. | Extensive professional contacts in construction, property and residential sectors. |
| Demonstrable understanding of overseeing multiple construction sites within a commercial programme. | |
| Significant understanding of managing staff and teams to deliver construction outcomes. | |
| Demonstrable understanding and practical application of programme and project management methodologies. |
Experience
| Essential upon appointment | Desirable on appointment |
| A strong track record of reviewing tender workbook / cost plans with the project management team and subsequently agree target budgets for each element of the project prior to presentation to Board. | |
| Overseeing subcontract packages in line with the procurement schedule and procurement strategies making sure to achieve or exceed financial targets and in order to maintain the construction programme. | |
| Of contractual matters in relation to tenders, contracts, subcontracts, warranties etc. are reviewed, understood and implemented. | |
| Monitoring correspondence for each project and allocating tasks and responsibilities as required. | |
| Attending internal project review meetings and external client meetings to make sure that procedures are being adhered to. | |
| Reviewing monthly cost value reconciliations, making provision for all known costs, accurately forecasting outturn position, profit and loss forecasting. | |
| Reviewing contractual correspondence to fully safeguard the Company’s contractual position. | |
| Experience of land identification and promotion of sites in local plans. |
Occupational skills
| Essential upon appointment | Desirable on appointment |
| Demonstrable experience of developing business plans, business cases, leading people and performance management and applying creativity and innovation to problem solving. | |
| Exercise professional judgement to make clear business-focused decisions. | |
| Confidently use persuasion and negotiation techniques to influence others at a senior level in difficult situations. | |
| Apply robust due diligence to assess investment decisions. | |
| Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders. | |
| Ability to interpret complex and commercially sensitive information and data to reach well-reasoned conclusions. | |
| Leadership skills and an ability to motivate your team to ensure a high standard of work. | |
| Excellent planning and organisational skills - for writing and monitoring project plans and schedules and utilising time and resources effectively. | |
| Resilience and problem-solving skills - in order to overcome unexpected challenges during the construction process. | |
| Ability to make decisions under pressure. | |
| Attention to detail for conducting site inspections and managing complex contracts. | |
| Awareness of health and safety procedures and legislation - for running a safe construction site. | |
| Commercial awareness - to allocate and manage budgets effectively and to understand client concerns. | |
| Numerical and IT skills, including knowledge of relevant building methods and project management software to manage information and finances during the project. |
Professional qualifications / training / registrations required by law, and / or essential for the performance of the role
| Essential upon appointment | Desirable on appointment |
| Relevant degree or equivalent level qualification in business, economics, finance, law, property, investment, construction or planning. | Recognised management qualification. |
| Recognised project management qualification or demonstrable practical experience. | Evidence of continued professional development. |
| Recognised professional qualification (RICS, MRTPI, CENG, MAPM, ETC). |
Other requirements
| Essential upon appointment | Desirable on appointment |
| Ability to travel across the County. | Ability to attend meetings outside of normal business hours. |
What we can offer you
For this position we are pleased to offer up to £70k per annum, 10% bonus, employer contribution pension, 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and flexible working policies.
We combine the commercial drive of a bespoke new homes developer with the public sector ethos of giving back to essential front line public services.
You will be a joining a small but positive team environment, welcomed by talented colleagues. Brierley Homes Board will support you with your professional development. We aim to provide first class customer service to all of our customers throughout their home buying journey. We want the same positive experience for our motivated and hardworking team at Brierley Homes.
Find your happy place, whilst building ours...
Contact us and apply
Key dates
- Closing date: 6 February 2022
- Shortlisting: 11 February 2022
- Interviews: 17 and 21 February 2022
Contact us
To discuss this opportunity further please contact our Recruitment Partner Ashley Benford on 07814 932389 or email ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk from our recruitment partners - The Resourcing Solution.
Apply
To apply please send your CV including a personal statement in one Microsoft Word document and your completed equal opportunities form, to Ashley Benford at ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk by 6 February 2022.
It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.
Your personal statement should outline your motivation for applying and provide evidence for how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Diversity monitoring
Along with your application, please complete and return this diversity monitoring form. Thank you.
We will not accept applications from agencies.
Your privacy
Brierley Homes is committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services. Please refer to our Privacy Statement (web page - opens in new window) which explains how we use information about you and how we protect your privacy.
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