View Vacancy - One HMG Housing Manager - Washington DC
Main purpose of job:
The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for an energetic, enthusiastic person with a strong commitment to the highest quality customer service to join the British Embassy Estates Team as the One HMG Housing Manager. This role is busy and demanding but also rewarding, as the jobholder will play an essential role in supporting diplomatic officers and their families to enjoy a smooth transition to their new lives in the US.
The ideal candidate will be will be able to confidently work autonomously as well as collaboratively. They will be approachable and empathetic, and be resilient. They will be supported to quickly familiarise themselves with relevant working practices and policies and be able to plan and prioritise. They will need to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining good attention to detail and strong written and oral communication skills. And they will actively model all this in their leadership of a newly-formed, small team, embedding a culture of continuous improvement. The team has recently undergone a review of structures and this job-holder will work with senior staff to review processes, to ensure that all customers receive effective and efficient service.
The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility that enables people to better maintain wellbeing through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.
Roles and responsibilities:
• Lead a team of three housing officers to deliver all Embassy permanent and temporary residential housing requirements in the United States.
• Model a results-focused, agile, pragmatic customer service ethos.
• Oversee an approximate budget of $2m for rents, temporary accommodation and maintenance.
• Support the Head of Estates and Community Liaison Officer with providing housing allocation recommendations to the Post Accommodation Committee, in line with the Post Accommodation Policy.
• Lead residential lease assurance, working closely with Estates Directorate in the UK, aiming to drive enhanced VFM.
• Work with local real estate agents to develop online software platform to enhance property searches in the Washington D.C. Metro area.
• Develop and maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date records of the accommodation portfolio.
• Develop and implement (with the Estates team) maintenance plans for the approximately 45 Embassy-owned properties in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
• Act as the housing subject matter expert for the whole FCDO US network providing specialist advice to Consulates as required.
• Any other duties as assigned.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
3 x Housing Officers
$2m budget
Essential on arrival:
• Strong communication skills with previous experience working with customers
• Experience managing teams
• The ability to problem solve and pre-empt issues
• Valid driving license and ability to drive to attend appointments within the DMV area
Experience
Must have the right to work and reside in the US.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
• Experience of reviewing and implementing changes to processes.
• Knowledge or experience of real estate in the DMV
Learning and development opportunities:
The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
Working patterns:
Able to accommodate a varied working pattern
This role is 40 hours a week, but does not require set working hours each day.
The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
