Gateshead Council
Lead Commissioner
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Who We Are & What We Stand For
Lead with purpose. Influence change. Create a healthier future for Gateshead.
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just 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.
Supporting services that make a difference to our communities
Our Strategic Housing Service
We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Lead Commissioner to work within 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 a range of 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.
What We Are Looking For
Are you an exceptional commissioner who is passionate about the role we can play to create strong, healthy communities and best meet the needs of Gateshead residents? Gateshead Council is seeking a Lead Commissioner to work within Strategic Housing to support us to shape and redesign supported housing services for those who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness, embedding principles of coproduction and building strong partnerships.
Our Specialist and Supported Housing Strategy is currently being refreshed, and this role will be influential in delivering on any related commissioned supported housing needs as well as in building and strengthening our system response within our existing commissioned pathways for young people, victims of domestic abuse and adults with multiple and complex needs.
Working alongside the Service Manager for Strategic Housing you will lead 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 develop evidence-based solutions that strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and ensure every resident has the opportunity to live a healthier, happier life.
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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.
What You'll Get To Do
- Lead on the development and implementation of related strategies and action plans.
- Contribute to the assessment of need and intelligence gathering including development of strategic needs assessments, reviews of evidence, consultation, research and development, adoption, and dissemination of best practice.
- Provide policy advice and guidance to stakeholders regarding legislation, national policy and standards.
- Collaborate with other Council services and external stakeholders in the development of policy and strategy to improve outcomes across the population.
- Contribute to the development of systems and processes with the aim of improving the way services are commissioned and reviewed.
- Prepare and deliver written reports, presentations, and related documents to communicate population needs and commissioning intentions.
- Contribute to partnerships and joint working in specific areas
- To project manage specified initiatives and projects.
- Collaborate with procurement and post contractual management ensuring both quality and value for money.
- To supervise designated staff including, setting, monitoring, and evaluating performance standards at individual team level.
- Contribute to specified change and transformation initiatives and to service design and redesign, including the decommissioning of services.
- Contribute to, and where necessary support, meetings, committees both within the Council and with external partners.
- Contribute to market management and development.
What You'll Bring
- Broad knowledge of relevant policy and legislation, including homelessness and specialist/supported accommodation
- Extensive knowledge of commissioning processes and principles
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
- Ability to successfully use persuasion, diplomacy, and motivational skills
- Experience of developing and/or strengthening partnerships/relationships with other services
- Ability to work within specified budgets and timescales
- Experience of using procurement and tendering processes
- Experience of using evidence in the development of strategies and/or service redesign.
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent professional experience
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).
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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
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.
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