Recruitment pack
Director Thamesmead Operations
Peabody
December 2015
Property

People

Strategy & Governance

Finance
Contents
Welcome Letter
3
About Peabody
4
Job description and person specification
5
Structure Chart
11
Remuneration, benefits, terms and conditions
12
Recruitment timetable
13
Further information
13
How to apply
13
Appendix 1 |
Recruitment monitoring form
14
Appendix 2 |
Online advert
16
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Welcome Letter
Dear prospective applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the position of Director Thamesmead Operations at
Peabody. Peabody is an ambitious and growing organisation. We work solely in London, with
a presence in the majority of London boroughs. We own and manage around 28,000 homes,
providing affordable housing for over 80,000 people. This is set to grow with 8,000 new
homes planned across the capital - with up to 1,000 new homes being built every year - this
means Peabody will provide a good home for one in every 100 Londoners.
As well as providing and managing homes, Peabody also runs one of the biggest social and
economic development programmes of any London housing provider. Thamesmead is home
to 40,000 people, and Peabody is uniquely placed to drive the comprehensive regeneration
of the area. The arrival Peabody in Thamesmead in 2014 means that for the first time in a
generation a single, well-resourced organisation is responsible for 6,000 homes, community
investment, a commercial portfolio and over 100 acres of developable land.
Peabody is seeking to provide a firm foundation for Thamesmead’s long term, sustainable
rejuvenation by investing in existing homes, infrastructure and services to improve the quality
of life for existing and future residents.
We believe that Thamesmead and London can grow together, with new communities for
future generations emerging around Abbey Wood, Plumstead and the existing town centre.
This will provide new shops, restaurants and places to meet and socialise, and will create a
range of employment opportunities. We will develop high quality new homes, and will use our
design expertise to ensure they stand the test of time.
In addition we will use the scale of opportunity to campaign for greater transport links and
connectivity. In the years ahead, Thamesmead will be revitalised and renewed, and will offer
exciting new opportunities in an attractive and accessible location, recognised as an integral
and valued part of London.
We want to make a difference to more people in London and are looking for a dynamic and
visionary Director Thamesmead Operations to help us. We are hungry to transform the way
we think and act, to help us keep pace with our growth ambitions and meet the exciting
challenges ahead. This new role is crucial to the successful achievement of neighbourhood
management, major regeneration and transformational change of Thamesmead. It will also
help us build upon our impact for the benefit of London.
The postholder will help to create the Thamesmead Strategic Framework as well as take
overall responsibility for the delivery of housing-led neighbourhood services. The successful
candidate will possess strong strategic, leadership and stakeholder management skills as
well as a track record of commissioning and delivering neighbourhood management and
large scale transformation.
This is a really exciting time to be joining Peabody and I wish you every success in your
application.
Steve Howlett
Chief Executive, Peabody
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About Peabody
George Peabody, the American philanthropist, set up The Peabody Donation Fund in 1862
to ‘ameliorate the condition of the poor and needy in this great metropolis’. During his
lifetime, he donated £500,000 to the Fund – equivalent to many millions today.
The Fund’s first dwellings for the ‘artisans and labouring poor’ were opened in Commercial
Street, Spitalfields in February 1864. These flats, which housed 66 low-income families and
included provision for shops and laundries, marked the beginning of his and our work in
London.
George Peabody (1795 – 1869) was born in Massachusetts, USA. He first visited Britain on
business in 1827 and, ten years later, took up residence in London where he remained for
the rest of his life.
When George Peabody died in 1869, Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales sent carriages
to follow his coffin to Westminster Abbey, where Gladstone was among the mourners at his
funeral service. He was interred at the Abbey for a short while before being returned for
burial in Salem, Massachusetts.
One hundred and fifty years on The Peabody Donation Fund – now simply ‘Peabody’ – is
thriving. Our mission is as relevant today as it was during George Peabody’s lifetime and is
the driving force behind everything we do:

Our mission: To make London a city of opportunity for all by ensuring as many
people as possible have a good home, a real sense of purpose and a strong feeling
of belonging.

A good home: Is a place that is safe, warm, clean, light, well-maintained and evokes
personal pride.

A real sense of purpose: Regular endeavour through work, learning, caring for
others, personal development or volunteering; pursuits that people look forward to
because it makes them feel valued.

A strong feeling of belonging: Active involvement in the neighbourhood and the
spirit of togetherness and friendliness that goes with it.

By working, learning and volunteering: Pursuits that people look forward to
because it makes them feel valued and benefits them and their family, as well as
others in their community.
To find out more about Peabody please visit: www.peabody.org.uk
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Job description and person specification
Job description
Job title:
Director Thamesmead Operations
Line manager: Executive Director – Housing
Direct reports: Head of Neighbourhoods South and Head of Environmental Services
(Gallions) (until the appointment of a Director Public Realm)
Matrix Reports: Head of Special Projects (Thamesmead)
Voids and Responsive Repairs Manager South
Head of Homeownership
Purpose of role

Lead the delivery of Peabody’s housing-led services and appropriate strategies to
ensure sustained, transformational management of place at Thamesmead

Support the Executive Director Thamesmead with the delivery of the wider
Thamesmead Strategic Framework and contribute to long-term, strategic value
creation projects
Budget responsibility:

‘Step-up’ budget responsibility for delivery of Maintenance and Property Services
and Neighbourhoods as part of the Thamesmead Strategic Framework

South region budget responsibility for Neighbourhood Services and New
Resident Services (Lettings)

Budget responsibility for Environmental Services (Gallions)
Key result areas:
Business Leadership

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To act a single conduit for the delivery of housing led services within
Thamesmead ensuring that the strategic direction provided by the Board through
the Thamesmead Strategic Framework and the relevant sub-strategies are
upheld in business plans, budgets and delivery plans.
To direct, manage and co-ordinate service provision through a directly managed
and locally-led team and to commission, monitor and review service delivery from
a range of in-house and external partners through a matrix management model
To contribute to the collective achievement of the business plan for Thamesmead
and strategy development in Thamesmead
To contribute to the development of Peabody Group’s strategy and the
establishment of business goals
To be responsible for the regulatory operational compliance of the Gallions Board
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
until Group amalgamation is finalised
To commission, monitor and review service delivery from a range of in-house and
external partners through a matrix management model
High Quality Management of Place
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To lead on the creation and delivery of detailed plans that will deliver Peabody’s
ambition for a visible step change in management of place over the next three
years, in particular making Thamesmead a place where residents are proud to
live in by:
- Setting and maintaining the Thamesmead Standard
- Ensure the effective maintenance and repair of the estate
- Introducing ‘Caretaker Plus’
- Stepping up Neighbourhood Services
- Improving the welcome for new residents and support to vulnerable
tenants.
To ensure that housing led services at Thamesmead comply with policy,
procedures, budgets, standing orders, business plans and financial regulations.
To ensure that all disparate directorate and departmental activities are fully
integrated into the operational delivery model for Thamesmead as a whole to
achieve the implementation of the Peabody’s vision.
To be available in the event of a major emergency affecting Thamesmead at any
time.
Relationship Management

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

To develop effective working relationships with the Gallions Board, the Executive
and Leadership Team and other stakeholders to ensure that business objectives
are achieved.
To foster partnership working with other agencies in the delivery of services at
Thamesmead.
To lead the on-going dialogue and consultation with residents across every
aspect of change in Thamesmead which inspires and builds trust with residents.
To act as the lead officer in discussions with the two boroughs (LB Bexley, RB
Greenwich) on housing related matters on behalf of Peabody.
Financial and Risk Management

To support the Executive Director Thamesmead and Executive Director Housing
to evaluate and manage risks associated with the Peabody Group’s activities and
initiatives at Thamesmead.
 To be responsible to the Executive Director Thamesmead and Executive Director
Housing for the development and implementation of the Peabody Group’s
financial plans and strategies for the Operational Delivery Model at
Thamesmead.
 To ensure that the Peabody Group meets its statutory and regulatory obligations
on the delivery of operational services at Thamesmead.
People Management
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

To influence, lead, direct and motivate team members within Peabody’s Housing
Directorate and Leadership team to create a step change in how operational
services are delivered at Thamesmead leading to transformational management
of place.
To develop a matrix management approach that supports people to break
business information silos, increase cooperation and communication across
Peabody and unlock resources and talent that are currently inaccessible to the
rest of the organisation.
Reporting and Information Management
 To contribute to the development of a suite of reports that reflect Peabody’s
ambition for delivering a step change in management of place and appropriately
measure progress.
 To ensure that reports on the performance are produced, and that performance
indicators and trends are analysed and corrective action taken where required.
 To distribute and present reports to stakeholders as required, particularly
ensuring that the Executive Director Thamesmead and Executive Director
Housing and members of the Board and relevant committees have the
appropriate information to enable them to effectively carry out their role.
 To lead and promote a positive health and safety culture, ensuring, as far as
practicable, that activities are carried out under your control and in accordance
with Peabody Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Key performance indicators:

Corporate objectives and service standards are clearly communicated to all
internal and external stakeholders and roles and responsibilities are clearly
defined within delivery teams.

The creation and delivery of detailed plans that will deliver Peabody’s ambition for
a visible step-change in management of place over the next three years; in
particular making Thamesmead a place where residents are proud to live in by:
•
Setting and maintaining a ‘Thamesmead Standard’,
•
Ensuring the effective maintenance and repair of estates,
•
Introducing Caretaker “Plus”
•
Stepping up Neighbourhood Services
•
Improving the welcome for new residents and support for vulnerable
tenants

Peabody Group’s Operational Delivery Model for Thamesmead is customer
focussed and geared towards meeting the needs and expectations of current and
future residents.

Partnership working with other Peabody Directors is established to co-ordinate,
direct and influence the efficient and effective delivery of each of the strategies
that contribute to improving the ‘lived experience’ of residents at Thamesmead,
paying particular attention to the links with:
•
•
Investment in the built environment
Open spaces between housing
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•
•
Resident and stakeholder engagement
Property, tenancy and neighbourhood management and community
safety
 Peabody Group is recognised for excellence in its services and management of
Thamesmead and to work with the two Boroughs, strategically and operationally
as well as other stakeholders to create and maintain high quality management of
place.
 Peabody Group responds appropriately and proactively to external developments
affecting the delivery of all Housing led services at Thamesmead.
 Work closely with the Executive Director Thamesmead and report to the
Executive Director Housing to provide assurance on the comprehensive
application of the vision and strategy for Thamesmead and to keep them fully
appraised of business activity as it relates to Housing led services.
 Strategic and operational relationships with partners regulators, organisations,
developers, consultants, professional advisers and other stakeholders are
developed and managed to promote the profile of Thamesmead in both the
housing and other relevant professional sectors.
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Person Specification
Note for candidates
It is important that your application directly addresses as many of the following “Part One”
criteria as possible. It is not necessary to address “Part Two” criteria in your application as
these will be assessed at interview.
PART ONE - Knowledge and experience
Education and Training:
 Relevant degree or equivalent level qualification
 Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable:
 Relevant business or management qualification
 Membership of a relevant professional body/association
Experience:
 Senior management experience of developing, leading and reporting on robust
strategies, business plans and operations to meet corporate and commercial objectives
as well as regulatory obligations
 Experience of commissioning and delivering housing-led neighbourhood services
including managing property and delivering effective asset management (in its broadest
sense)
 Demonstrable experience of influencing senior teams to create transformational change
and delivering cultural change across a large and diverse organisation
 Demonstrable experience of working with boards and senior-level multi-partner teams
and achieving results in challenging contexts
 Experience of working with residents and communities to successfully shape services
and communities
Desirable:
 Detailed knowledge of the operational and regulatory framework of RSLs
 Experience of working with ‘thought leaders’ at regional or national levels
 Experience of matrix management in a multi partner/multi-discipline environment
 Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant health and safety legislation
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PART TWO - Skills, Abilities and Competencies



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






Demonstrable capability for strategic thinking
Good persuasive writing skills and an ability to think conceptually
Strong financial management and risk management skills as well as commercial
acumen
Extremely strong influencing and negotiating skills and the ability to influence and
persuade through personal credibility, integrity and professionalism
Proven ability to work under pressure, managing multiple deadlines and to short
deadlines
Effective and confident interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with a range of
audiences across the business, including the Chair, Board members, Chief Executive,
Executive Directors and Directors
An independent, decisive leadership style, with the ability to demonstrate initiative and
flexibility
Ability to interact with a large number of different people and to communicate
personally the values and priorities of Peabody, demonstrating awareness of cultural
and community diversity
Ability to analyse and summarise complex information and data from a variety of
sources
Strong IT skills and the ability to use a range of project management software
packages
Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of matrix
working
Please note the postholder must be available in the event of a major emergency
affecting Thamesmead at any time
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Executive Director Housing
Interim Executive Director
Thamesmead
Director of Operations –
Thamesmead
Responsive Repairs &
Voids Manager
South
Head of Special Projects –
Thamesmead
Head of Neighbourhoods
South
Head of Environmental
Services
Head of Homeownership
Remuneration, benefits, terms and conditions
This is a three year fixed term position and the salary is circa £100,000 per annum. Terms
and Conditions for Director-level roles at Peabody are below:
Performance Bonus
Eligible to participate in a discretionary scheme which
provides for an annual bonus payment to be made up to
10% of basic salary subject to personal and corporate
performance.
28 days per annum rising to 31 days at the start of your fifth
year in service. In addition, a discretionary three days are
normally awarded between Christmas and New Year.
Family BUPA cover.
Annual Leave
Private Medical
Insurance
Pension
Employee Assistance
Programme
Group Life Insurance
Childcare Vouchers
Cycle to Work Scheme
Season Ticket Loan
Give As You Earn
Southwark Credit Union
HSF Healthcare Cash
Plan
Corporate Gym
Membership
Professional fees
Defined contribution scheme. Minimum 2% employee
contribution. Peabody contributes double the employee
contribution to a maximum of 10%. Alternatively the
maximum 10% pension contribution can be taken as a
taxable cash allowance.
Advice and counselling service.
Death in service benefit of three times salary.
Salary sacrifice.
Salary sacrifice.
Annual cost of season ticket repaid by 10 monthly
deductions from salary.
Make regular donations to charity by monthly deduction
from salary.
Financial service provider including current accounts,
savings and loan facilities. Deductions from salary can be
made direct from individual employee accounts.
Discounted healthcare cash plan available to all
employees.
Reduced rates when purchasing gym membership with over
2,200 UK health clubs.
One subscription to a professional body is paid on an
annual basis when the membership is related to the
business or to a role.
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Recruitment timetable
The recruitment timetable is as follows:
Date
9am, Monday 11 January 2016
Friday 15 January 2016
From Friday 15 January 2016
Friday 22 January 2016
Activity
Closing date
Shortlisting decision
Online psychometric testing, assessment
(including ability testing) and references
Final interviews
Further information
For a confidential discussion about this role please contact our advisor at Altair Ltd:
 Sarah Palmer, Head of Recruitment and Interim Management, Altair on 07806 602933
(mobile), 020 7934 0175 (office) or email: sarah.palmer@altairltd.co.uk
How to apply
To apply online for the position of Director Thamesmead Operations, please visit our website at:
www.altairltd.co.uk/job/Peabodydto/
You will be asked to complete an online form and then attach four documents:
i.
A detailed CV (no more than 1,500 words) including details of positions held (and
dates); size of budgets, teams managed and key achievements, as well as
qualifications
ii.
A supporting statement (no more than 1,500 words) evidencing your experience and
knowledge according to PART ONE of the Person Specification and explaining why
you would be motivated by the role
iii.
Full contact details (name, job title, organisation, phone and email) for three referees
(including your current employer). Please note we will not take up references without
your prior permission
iv.
A completed diversity monitoring form (attached at Appendix One and available in
Word format on the Altair website address above). Please note, this information is for
monitoring purposes only and will not be seen or used by Peabody.
The job reference for this role is: (ALT141)
We look forward to receiving your application before 9am, Monday 11 January 2016
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Appendix 1 |
Recruitment monitoring form
Ethnic Origin
White
Black or Black British
White British
White Irish
White Other
Black or Black British African
Black or Black British Caribbean
Black, Black British Other
Asian
Chinese or Other Ethnic Group
Asian or Asian British Indian
Asian or Asian British Pakistani
Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi
Asian, Asian British Other
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual
Gay
Lesbian
Bisexual
Prefer not to say
Chinese or Other Ethnic Group,
Chinese
Chinese or Other Ethnic Group,
Other
Mixed
Mixed White and Black African
Mixed White and Black
Caribbean
Mixed White and Asian
Mixed Other
Prefer not to say
Prefer not to say
Religion
No religion
Christianity (All denominations)
Buddhism
Hinduism
Judaism (Jewish)
Islam (Muslim)
Sikhism
Other
Prefer not to say
Disability
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental
impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day
activities. ‘Long term’ is usually considered to have lasted (or is expected to last) at least 12 months. ‘Day to day
activities’ include personal and social activities not just the ability to work.
Do you consider yourself disabled? If yes, please select an option that best describes your disability from the list
below. If you do not consider yourself to have a disability, please select “No disability”.
Please select “Other” if your disability is not described in the list below and provide details in the box below.
No disability
Blindness
Partially sighted
Hearing impaired
Non hearing with speech
Non hearing without speech
Mobility impaired
Wheel chair user
Restricted limb usage
Learning difficulties
Dyslexia
Mental health problems
Multiple impairments
Prefer not to say
Other (Please provide details below)
…………………………………………………………………
Declaration
I hereby confirm that the information I have provided is complete and correct.
Name (Please print):…………………………………Signed: …………………………
Date: ………….………
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Recruitment advertising reach
Job Reference code ALT141
Please indicate in the form below how you found out about this opportunity:
Please indicate “YES” as appropriate
Approached directly by Altair
Altair website or direct mailing
Linked In
Inside Housing online
Peabody’s website
Online browsing
The Guardian online
Word of mouth
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Appendix 2 |
Online advert
Director Thamesmead Operations
Peabody
Circa £100,000 plus benefits
About Peabody:
Peabody is an ambitious and growing organisation. We work solely in London, with a presence in
the majority of London boroughs. We own and manage around 28,000 homes, providing affordable
housing for over 80,000 people. This is set to grow with 8,000 new homes planned across the
capital - with up to 1,000 new homes being built every year - this means Peabody will provide a
good home for one in every 100 Londoners.
As well as providing and managing homes, Peabody also runs one of the biggest social and
economic development programmes of any London housing provider. Thamesmead is home to
40,000 people, and Peabody is uniquely placed to drive the comprehensive regeneration of the
area. The arrival Peabody in Thamesmead in 2014 means that for the first time in a generation a
single, well-resourced organisation is responsible for 6,000 homes, community investment, a
commercial portfolio and over 100 acres of developable land.
Peabody is seeking to provide a firm foundation for Thamesmead’s long term, sustainable
rejuvenation by investing in existing homes, infrastructure and services to improve the quality of life
for existing and future residents. We believe that Thamesmead and London can grow together,
with new communities for future generations emerging around Abbey Wood, Plumstead and the
existing town centre. This will provide new shops, restaurants and places to meet and socialise,
and will create a range of employment opportunities. We will develop high quality new homes, and
will use our design expertise to ensure they stand the test of time.
About the role:
The Director of Thamesmead Operations is a new role. It is crucial to the successful
achievement of neighbourhood management, major regeneration and transformational
change of Thamesmead. It will also help us build upon our impact for the benefit of London.
Leading the Head of Neighbourhoods South and Head of Environmental Services (Gallions),
the postholder will help to create the Thamesmead Strategic Framework as well as take
overall responsibility for the delivery of housing-led neighbourhood services.
The successful candidate will possess strong strategic, leadership and stakeholder
management skills as well as a track record of commissioning and delivering neighbourhood
management and large scale transformation.
As a member of Peabody’s Leadership team, the postholder will also play a full part in the
leadership and strategic direction of Peabody.
Further information
For further information about this role please visit: www.altairltd.co.uk/job/Peabodydto/
to download and review the recruitment pack.
The closing date for applications is 9am, Monday 11 January 2016
Page | 16
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