Job Description
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to lead the strategic direction of housing in Gateshead, shaping policies, services and investment that impact thousands of residents every day?
If that sounds like you, keep reading – we might be the perfect match.
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 pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward‑thinking approach to housing and community wellbeing. We believe our employees are the driving force behind our Thrive agenda, and as a senior leader you will be instrumental in shaping the future vision of housing across the borough.
You will join a leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and integrity. You’ll have the freedom to influence policy, drive service transformation, and lead a wide range of housing services that directly improve the lives of our residents.
Supporting services that make a difference to our communities
Our Housing Service is responsible for delivering safe, secure and high‑quality homes for around 18,000 tenants, as well as providing vital housing solutions for people experiencing crisis or homelessness. From strategic housing planning and development to allocations, estate management, homelessness services, housing support, resident engagement, building safety assurance and the viability of the Housing Revenue Account, this service shapes how residents experience their homes and their communities.
As Service Director for Housing, you will lead strategic and operational housing functions, ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, excellent customer experience and robust housing outcomes across all services.
What you will get to do
In this strategic leadership role, you will:
- Lead the development, delivery and continuous review of the Council’s Housing Strategy and supporting strategies, including homelessness, allocations and housing development.
- Provide overall leadership and assurance for statutory housing responsibilities, including homelessness prevention, assessment, temporary accommodation and housing support services.
- Provide strategic oversight of housing allocations, waiting list management, nominations and end-to-end voids performance and strategy.
- Lead tenancy, leaseholder and estate management services, including supported and older persons’ housing across the HRA.
- Provide corporate leadership and assurance for housing-related anti-social behaviour services, ensuring alignment with safeguarding and community safety priorities.
- Provide strategic direction for caretaking and handyperson services, ensuring they support tenancy sustainment and neighbourhood standards.
- Lead refugee and asylum housing services, working with partners and government bodies to deliver compliant and effective support.
- Lead rent and service charge policy, income collection and debt recovery, maximising income and supporting HRA viability
- Provide strategic oversight of housing customer contact services, ensuring a single, effective front door and excellent customer experience.
- Provide assurance on building safety and regulatory compliance and act as the Principal Accountable Person for housing safety.
- Lead the Council’s housing development and investment programme, securing funding and delivering new homes and regeneration outcomes.
- Ensure a viable and sustainable Housing Revenue Account, including oversight of the 30-year HRA Business Plan and Asset Management Plan.
- Lead performance management, data insight and systems development to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Ensure strong tenant and partner engagement, with clear evidence of the tenant voice influencing decisions, policies and service delivery.
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of the wider Group and deputise for the Strategic Director where required.
- Provide senior professional advice and representation to elected Members, partners, regulators and government bodies, and support emergency response arrangements as required
What you will bring
We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Extensive knowledge of housing strategy, legislation, regulatory standards and Housing Revenue Account management.
- Significant senior leadership experience managing large, complex housing services and workforces.
- Proven ability to lead and integrate housing functions, including homelessness, allocations, tenancy management, development, anti-social beahviour and building safety.
- Strong financial leadership, including HRA planning, efficiency delivery and securing external funding.
- Extensive experience of procurement, commissioning, contract management and service delivery at scale.
- Strong stakeholder and partnership working skills, including working with elected Members, regulators and government bodies.
- An approved Level 5 housing management qualification (or willingness to achieve within agreed timescales) and a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, with a commitment to ongoing professional development
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.
- 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.