Job Description
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
A critical role at the centre of project and programme delivery.
The EIG Group PMO sits at the centre of governance, assurance and delivery across a complex portfolio of regeneration and major projects. The team works closely with senior leaders, project professionals and multidisciplinary specialists to ensure robust governance, transparent decision‑making and effective programme oversight. Operating in a fast‑paced and high‑profile environment, the PMO provides critical coordination, assurance and control, ensuring that programmes are well‑managed, risks are understood and decisions are clearly documented and auditable.
Ensuring every decision is understood, recorded and actionable.
What you will get to do
- Act as the professional Secretariat lead for PMO governance forums, supporting senior officers in complex, technical and commercially sensitive environments.
- Prepare and coordinate governance activity, including agenda setting, meeting packs, forward plans and commissioning of papers.
- Capture, interpret and distil complex discussions into clear, accurate and impartial minutes that reflect decisions, rationale, risks and dependencies.
- Use digital transcription and AI‑enabled tools to support efficient minute‑taking, ensuring outputs are quality‑checked, contextualised and compliant.
- Maintain robust action and decision logs, ensuring accountability, follow‑through and mitigation of governance or delivery risks.
- Ensure governance records are managed in line with FOI, data protection and information governance requirements, producing defensible and auditable documentation.
- Apply judgement to determine what must be formally recorded for legal, commercial, assurance and risk purposes.
- Liaise with senior officers and stakeholders to clarify complex points and ensure accurate representation of intent and outcomes.
- Provide wider PMO coordination and support, contributing to continuous improvement and broader programme assurance activity.
Keeping programmes on track through high-quality oversight and control.
What you will bring
- Strong understanding of governance frameworks, decision‑making processes and the Secretariat role within project, programme and portfolio environments.
- Proven ability to capture and accurately summarise complex, technical or commercially sensitive discussions into clear, decision‑focused records.
- Experience supporting governance forums, boards or committees, including coordination of agendas, papers and forward plans.
- Knowledge of FOI, information governance, confidentiality and data protection, with the ability to produce compliant, auditable documentation.
- Experience maintaining action and decision logs and supporting assurance through structured governance processes.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environments.
- Confident use of digital and AI‑supported tools, combined with sound judgement, professionalism and excellent written communication skills.
What’s in it for you
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
How to apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.