Job Description

Job Title:

Housing Litigation Solicitor-Disrepair Lead

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary:

55,191 Per Annum (61,000 is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)

Working Hours

: 35 hours per week

Working Pattern:

Monday to Friday, Hybrid

Location:

Liverpool

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

The difference you will make as a Housing Litigation Solicitor- Disrepair Lead

The Housing Litigation Solicitor Lead will be part of the in-house Riverside legal team that supports with the provision of high quality, well-judged and informed legal advice to the operational business in relation to its housing management functions and housing litigation.


This lead post will manage a small team working with our Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues to ensure that all casework is well managed and dealt with in an efficient and cost-effective manner.


The post-holder will also be accountable to ensure that the business' regulatory, legislative and common law obligations are met and raise awareness of developments within the sector, identify risk and provide training as required to the business.


The Housing Litigation Solicitor Lead will be an effective business partner to key internal and external stakeholders creating a team of collaboration and engagement that aligns with the overall Corporate Strategy of Riverside.


There will be the opportunity for the post-holder to manage some matters that fall under other sub-teams (such as tenancy/licence breaches in Care and Support and Social Housing) if they wish. There will also be an expectation that some types of matters that do not fall within Asset Strategy & Delivery work, such as money claims, will be picked up by the post-holder with their team, as and when required.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:


A Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university). A Professional legal qualification as recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or equivalent body. A Strong technical experience in dealing with a housing disrepair matters (as set out under role requirement), either on the Claimant or Defendant side.

Why Riverside?

At Riverside, we're a housing association with a difference - enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.


We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.


Working with us, you'll enjoy:


Competitive pay & generous pension 28 days holidays plus bank holidays Flexible working options available Investment in your learning, personal development and technology A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.


Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.


This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Role Profile

As a Housing Litigation Solicitor Disrepair Lead, you will be responsible for


Supporting the Housing Litigation Team with identifying and delivering training for Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues to upskill colleagues and promoting a knowledgeable workforce. Supporting the Housing Litigation Team with the improvement of systems and processes used within the Legal Team to deliver a value-for-money service. Supporting our Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues with the improvement of systems and processes used to deliver excellent customer service first time. Support the Housing Litigation Team with maintaining their case management system and any other databases used for auditing purposes. Supporting the Legal Team to ensure that risks to the business are appropriately managed. Ask the right questions at the right time, appropriately challenging the business where required. Working in partnership with Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues and attend business partner meetings with that team. Assist the Housing Litigation Team to maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across the business. Being an excellent ambassador for the team and supporting the business positively and constructively in achieving its corporate objectives. Adhering to the business' policies and procedures. Assisting in applying robust reporting processes and helping the Housing Litigation Team develop good quality management information to demonstrate the impact of the Legal Team more generally. Managing the allocation of work within the Disrepair sub-team. Monitoring external legal spend for Disrepair legal work to ensure that annual budgets are not exceeded. Supporting the Legal Team with developing and maintaining their internal intranet page.

People and Management

To lead and manage your team, mentoring and coaching them to provide a high quality, customer-focused service to all stakeholders. To undertake all People Essentials activities, for example, but not limited to, regular 1 to 1s, authorise absences, support recruitment activities and ensure mandatory learning is completed on time. To provide direction and support to your team with the assistance of the Senior Housing Litigation Solicitor by setting improvement targets, reviewing work outputs, and appraising individual performance. To inspire and engage with all colleagues within Corporate Services to create a working environment which influences effective wellbeing, performance and development. Champion a performance culture and continuously evaluate the performance and development of your team. To conduct regular needs assessment of the team's offering to internal stakeholders to ensure the team is responding to the changing needs of the organisation. Ensuring team structures are resourced with competent colleagues to support delivery of best working practices. Champion a culture of promoting and supporting colleague wellbeing. Champion creating a culture of inclusion, diversity and equity where every colleague can bring their whole self to work. Support and enable colleagues within your team and the wider directorate to participate and fulfil their obligations in the Our Riverside Voice Forum.

Learning and development

Develop knowledge of new areas of law if required to support the Housing Litigation Team in delivering high-quality legal advice. Work towards personal and team objectives and attend training opportunities, as required.

Other Information

All colleagues will be required to comply fully with all Group policies and procedures. All colleagues will be required to comply with and champion the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy. All colleagues will be required to comply with the Data Protection Act (all employees will not disclose or make use of for their private advantage any information held on record which is not available to the public). All colleagues will be required to carry out any other reasonable duties as required. The Group has offices across the UK and on this basis, there will be the requirement to travel to other locations to effectively perform this role. The role will be exposed to sensitive information; therefore, the role holder is expected to maintain levels of confidentiality at all times. To fulfil the requirements of this role, you will be required to work flexibly during the hours of operation. The role holder is expected to be committed to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken. This is a hybrid role with remote working but the expectation to attend head office in Speke, Liverpool and/or any other TRGL offices, in accordance with the demands of the business.

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university). Professional legal qualification as recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or equivalent body. Strong technical experience in dealing with a housing disrepair matters (as set out under role requirement), either on the Claimant or Defendant side. Experience of successfully managing a caseload achieving excellent outcomes. Knowledge of the pre-action protocols for dealing with housing conditions claims, as well as the Civil Procedure Rules. Knowledge of the relevant statutory, regulatory and common law applicable to the housing management functions of a social landlord, and the provision of regulated social and affordable housing. Practical awareness and/or experience of the Data Protection Act 2018. Can demonstrate having worked successfully in a complex organisation. Excellent written and oral communication skills and confident in advocacy. Excellent database management skills. High level of IT literacy and excellent research skills. Ability to build strong working relationships within TRGL, the wider Group and with external stakeholders and advisers. Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities. Outcome focussed with strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyse, sort and summarise information. Ability to work independently, using own initiative, taking ownership for decision-making and proposing solutions to issues identified. Ability to take ownership for workload. Can demonstrate a high level of motivation, resilience, and commitment to provide a high performing service and team. Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements. Commercially aware with a strong focus on continuous improvement, risk management and good governance. Customer focussed and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders alike in an honest and transparent manner to inspire confidence, trust, and respect. Ability to influence and inspire others to work innovatively and proactively. Can demonstrate a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace and in the delivery of legal services. Commitment to continual professional and personal development within TRGL's Legal Team on a long-term basis.

Desirable

Experience of working in the social housing sector, ideally in or for a housing association or local authority, or for tenants in private practice.