Job Description
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to lead vital housing allocation and adpatations services that ensure fair access to quality homes for people and families across Gateshead?
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.
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 the skills you bring, encourages creativity, and passionately advocates a great work/life balance. With hybrid working and excellent employee benefits, we’re confident it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Supporting services that make a difference to our communities
Our Allocations and Adaptations Service ensures people across Gateshead can access safe, suitable housing when they need it. From managing the Housing Register and allocating Council homes, to overseeing nominations to Registered Providers and ensuring efficient void turnaround, this service directly shapes the housing experience of thousands of residents each year.
As Service Manager for Allocations and Adaptations, you will lead strategic and operational activity that ensures fairness, transparency and efficiency across housing access, adapted housing, and voids management.
What you will get to do
In this senior leadership role, you will:
- Lead the management and continuous improvement of the Council’s Housing Register, ensuring compliance with legislation and transparency in decision-making
- Oversee the allocation of Council homes, ensuring fair, consistent and policy-compliant decisions
- Lead the development and implementation of the Council’s Allocations Policy, ensuring alignment with legislation, best practice and partner organisations
- Manage pre-tenancy checks, ensuring robust verification, financial assessment and tenancy risk management
- Lead the development of the nominations process, maximising access to affordable housing and strengthening partnership working with Registered Providers
- Manage and develop the adapted property register, ensuring efficient use of adapted homes and reducing pressure on adaptation budgets
- Oversee the assessment and management of adaptation cases, (either DFG or HRA funded) supporting independent living and achieving positive resident outcomes
- Support the end-to-end voids process by ensuring timely allocations, effective marketing of properties and minimising delays
- Build and maintain effective housing provider networks locally and regionally to increase access to suitable housing
- Manage budgets and support financial planning, ensuring cost control, value for money and maximising external funding opportunities
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and statutory requirements across all service areas
- Lead data management, analysis and reporting to inform policy, performance and service improvement
- Drive continuous service improvement through systems and process review, workforce development and data-led decision-making
What you will bring
We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of housing allocations, housing register legislation and adapted housing services within a local authority context
- Experience delivering housing access, lettings or related services within a regulated housing environment
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage performance and drive service improvement across complex operational services
- Strong experience of partnership working with Registered Providers, landlords and internal stakeholders
- Excellent decision-making and communication skills, particularly in high-volume, customer-facing environments
- Strong financial awareness, including budget management, cost control and delivering value for money
- An approved Level 4 housing management qualification (or willingness to achieve within an agreed timeframe) and a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to operate at this level
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.