IT and Digital Project Manager in Gateshead

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: Grade I SCP 28-31 – £39,152 – £41,771

Package: Full time, Monday‑Friday 37 hours per week.

Hybrid Working pattern: 60% of time in office

Location: Civic Centre

We develop and deliver digital solutions that transform public services, supporting the Council’s strategic priorities. The role is accountable for ensuring projects are delivered within agreed time, cost, quality, and governance parameters, while managing risk, stakeholders, and benefits realisation in line with the Council’s IT Project Management Framework and PMIF requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of complex IT and digital projects, from concept through to successful implementation and review.
• Turn strategy into action, developing business cases, delivery plans, and clear roadmaps aligned to organisational priorities.
• Own project governance, ensuring robust documentation, controls, and delivery to time, cost, and quality standards.
• Manage complexity with confidence, coordinating interdependencies across programmes, services, suppliers, and partners.
• Engage and influence stakeholders, working with senior leaders and technical experts to define priorities and achieve outcomes.
• Provide clear leadership reporting, acting as the key point of contact for project boards and decision‑makers.
• Resolve risks and challenges, using sound judgement, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills to keep delivery on track.
• Manage budgets and resources, ensuring effective planning, forecasting, and value for money.
• Champion compliance and assurance, embedding best practice across governance, cyber, data protection, and accessibility.
• Lead and evolve the project framework, driving continuous improvement in delivery standards, performance, and benefits realisation.
• Play a flexible leadership role, contributing to wider priorities as required.

Qualifications

• Professional project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent).
• Significant experience delivering complex IT or digital projects in a large, multi‑stakeholder environment such as public sector, assurance or audit.
• Proven track record of delivering large‑scale digital, infrastructure, cloud, or enterprise system implementations.
• Strong expertise in project management methodologies (PRINCE2, Agile, or hybrid approaches).
• Experience managing project budgets, risks, suppliers, and delivery assurance to achieve successful outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and make evidence‑based decisions.
• Experience working within governance, assurance, or regulated environments (ideally public sector).
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to a high standard in a fast‑paced setting.
• Strong leadership and professional judgement, with the ability to work independently and drive delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding pension scheme – the Council offers a local government pension providing robust retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave: 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after five years (with options to purchase up to 10 additional days).
• Flexible working hours: up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs).
• Hybrid and flexible working to support work‑life balance.
• Learning and development: access to a wide range of training, development and progression opportunities.
• Health and wellbeing support, including discounted gym memberships and mental health resources.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme to save money and stay active.
• Electric and hybrid car scheme: salary‑sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions after 12 months of service.
• Exclusive discounts and salary‑sacrifice options on white goods, electronics and other items after six months of service.

Commitment to Equality and Diversity

We are an equal‑opportunities employer and aim to have a culture where all people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. The Council welcomes 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.