Head of Regulation Operations in Cardiff

The regulation team, based in the Strategy and Regulation Division, carry out the statutory regulation of Welsh registered social landlords (RSLs) on behalf of the Welsh Ministers. RSL's are key partners in delivering the housing outcomes we want to see in Wales:

RSL Sector Profile (source – RSL Global Accounts 2022)

• Welsh RSLs own and manage more than homes, with a forecast increase to around by 2027
• RSLs spend Spent £1.3bn - 85% of that spent in Wales
• Turnover of over £1.15bn
• Fixed asset value - £9.4bn
• £575m of new debt facility in 2021
• Forecast borrowings of £4.5bn by 2027
• Supports around 27,000 jobs in Wales, 11,000 directly
• Welsh Gov investing over £300m social housing grant, plus various other funding
• Estimated to bring in £5.73 for every £1 of Welsh Government funding
• Provide homes/ services to over 200,000 tenants/ residents

The main purpose of regulation is to protect tenants and significant public investment in the RSL sector in Wales. Effective regulation also ensures the sector remains attractive to private investors to continue to provide cost efficient funding to supplement grant for the development of new social housing in Wales.

The Head of Regulation Operations is responsible for maintaining the statutory register of registered social landlords in Wales, the delivery of the annual programme of regulatory judgements, the regulatory oversight of RSLs, regulation case work, government business and communications. The post holder will lead a multi – skilled team based across Wales which includes governance specialists and qualified accountants undertaking assessments of compliance with regulatory standards set under section 33A of the Housing Act 1996 and the regulatory framework.

Case management is an important element of the role with the postholder being a moderator for high level team decisions and responsible for commissioning a wide range of regulatory intervention and enforcement action which can have significant and wide-ranging impacts on RSLs and individuals.

The post holder will need to be able to build and maintain excellent relationships internally with senior colleagues and policy makers, Ministers and advisors and externally with a wide range of stakeholders including tenants, senior RSL staff and Board members and representative bodies of tenants and funders who invest around £4bn in the sector. The role will champion the co regulation, shared endeavour approach to regulation in Wales using excellent communication skills to promote and provide updates on Welsh Regulation at conferences and events throughout Wales.

The Head of Regulation Operations reports to the Deputy Director Strategy and Regulation and will work closely with the regulation development team which is responsible for regulation policy and strategy.

Key tasks

What the organisation will expect

• You will be responsible for managing defined areas of work using your specialist knowledge or experience to exercise sound judgement when interpreting complex or conflicting information weighing up all evidence to produce innovative solutions to problems.
• You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.
• You will show political awareness and an understanding of the political landscape when considering the impact of your decision and work on the wider business area and when formulating proposals for Senior Managers and Ministers.

What your team will expect

• You may be required to manage a team setting clear direction on achieving their objectives.
• You will support team members in their work such as complex areas of work; work allocation and prioritisation; performance management; training and development; mentoring and coaching.
• You will value diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to challenge, share ideas and express concerns adopting an inclusive leadership style.
• You will be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining systems or processes ensuring excellence or value for money.

What key stakeholders will expect

• You will take the lead in creating, building and maintaining constructive relationships at all levels.
• You will be able to tailor and adapt your communication style (written and oral) to advise, guide, influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.

Main Responsibilities

• To lead, be responsible for and manage the team responsible for regulating all Welsh Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) against the Regulatory Framework and related guidance on behalf of the Welsh Ministers.
• To lead the team to deliver the programme of Regulatory Judgements for RSLs in Wales, ensuring judgements are evidence based, proportionate and consistent and are subject to rigorous quality assurance process including commissioning expert advice if required.
• Based on exhaustive, detailed analysis and critical interrogation of regulatory evidence and intelligence, to initiate a range of proportionate regulatory interventions in relation to regulatory underperformance or non-compliance in accordance with legislation. The ability to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of the consequences of proposed interventions, which considers impacts to the RSL, tenants, the sector and the Welsh Ministers is essential, drawing in expert advice where required.
• Establishing, maintaining and managing effective relationships with a wide group of internal and external stakeholders to deliver regulation effectively and to represent the Welsh Government at a senior level in a professional manner to include building productive relationship at a UK level with other national housing regulators.
• To lead and be responsible for the capture and dissemination of lessons learned and good practice from regulatory activity and case management to support the "improvement by prevention" and to champion the co regulatory/collaborative approach to regulation in Wales.
• Responsible for regulation operations budget setting/approvals/authorisations.
• To lead and be responsible for all ministerial business in the Regulation Branch including initiating and responding to requests for Ministerial Briefings on Housing regulation supporting government business and working with Ministers and their Special Advisers.
• To lead and be responsible for compliance with all corporate compliance matters for the Housing Regulation Branch, including performance management, risk management, and undertaking the role of Information Asset Owner to ensure good corporate citizenship.
• To work with regulation development colleagues responsible for the key decisions, direction, assurance and strategic relationships for the regulation function.
• To play an active role in the senior leadership of the Housing Strategy and Regulation Division, deputising for the Deputy Director as and when required.

Development opportunities

The role provides the opportunity to lead a high profile national statutory programme of work on behalf of the Welsh Ministers. It involves leading discussions and liaison with a broad range of national bodies and stakeholders and has a high political profile.

Other vacancy related information

The role occasionally involves working at other organisations offices and out of normal office working hours, including evenings, will be required from time to time. The role also involves participating in panels and presenting at various national sector events and conferences.

A presentation/ test on Making effective Decisions will be required at Stage 2. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.