Service Manager - Strategy

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to lead the strategic direction of housing in Gateshead, shaping policies, programmes and investment that influence outcomes for thousands of residents?

These roles form part of a wider organisational redesign to ensure the Council is structured to deliver high-quality, efficient and sustainable services for the people of Gateshead. This supports our commitment to modernising how we operate, strengthening accountability and putting residents at the heart of everything we do, ensuring everyone in our borough can thrive.

At Gateshead Council, we take pride in delivering high-quality services that make a real difference to residents’ lives. As a Service Manager, you will provide operational leadership across key functions, helping to shape services, drive improvement and support our Thrive agenda. You will be part of a collaborative leadership community that values innovation, integrity and strong partnership working.

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Housing Strategy Service Manager to lead our wonderful Strategic Housing Service, whose ambition is to deliver on the aims set out in our Housing Strategies, including our Tenancy Strategy, Specialist & Supported Accommodation Strategy, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy and our Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy. The service is also responsible for commissioning supported accommodation across the borough for Young People, Victim/Survivors of Domestic Abuse and Adults with Multiple and Complex Needs, supporting people to live independently and with healthy lives.

Are you an exceptional people manager who is passionate about the role housing can play to create strong, healthy communities and best meet the needs of Gateshead residents? Gateshead Council is seeking a Service Manager for Strategic Housing to support us with the delivery of a new vision for housing in Gateshead, this role will be influential in the creation of a new Housing strategy and wider transformation of our services following the appointment of a new leadership team, who are driven to deliver high performing services.

Working alongside the Head of Function for Strategic Housing and senior leaders across the Council, Registered Housing Providers and wider health and care system, you will lead the development and delivery of strategy, policy and the commissioning of a range of services to improve both housing and health outcomes.

This is a unique opportunity to drive innovation, champion prevention and deliver lasting change. You will bring together partners, communities and decision-makers to develop evidence-based solutions that strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and ensure every resident has the opportunity to live a healthier, happier life.

In return, you will join an ambitious and collaborative organisation committed to its Thrive agenda, where you will have the opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of current and future generations.

• Lead the production, implementation and review of a range of housing related strategies and policies
• Ensure effective data management, interrogation and analysis to inform strategy, policy and commissioning, preparing strategic reports, KPI’s and dashboards to guide decision making and inform senior leadership and elected members.
• Lead the commissioning of specialist and supported housing for adults with multiple and complex needs, young people and victims of domestic abuse
• Oversee contract development, review, renegotiation and tendering processes. Ensure robust arrangements for contract management and compliance for service continuity, value for money and to identify and report on key strategic risks and suitable mitigations
• Build and sustain, strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally, including with registered housing providers, support providers and the VCSE
• Represent the Strategic Housing function in senior local, regional and national meetings, ensuring strategic continuity and…