Project Manager - Homelessness & Rough Sleeping

Job Description

Post title

Short-Term Project Manager - Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan
Contract length: Up to 6 months, with potential for a short extension
Location: Hybrid, with a requirement to attend offices a minimum of 2 days per week, dependent on commitments. Additional attendance at key meetings, workshops and partner events will be required.
Start date: ASAP

Role purpose

A South West Local Authority is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the development, approval and publication of its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan. Working to a fixed initial deadline of 1 December 2026, the successful candidate will coordinate a complex partnership project that translates the Council's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Prevention Strategy #removed# into a clear, evidence-based delivery plan. A key element of the role will be the development of a dedicated Long-Term Rough Sleeping Partnership Plan, supported by measurable targets and agreed actions.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Lead the project from mobilisation through to publication and submission to MHCLG on or before the 1st December 2026.
• Develop and manage the project plan, governance arrangements, risks, dependencies and reporting processes.
• Coordinate evidence gathering, data analysis and baseline development to inform action planning and target setting.
• Facilitate engagement with council services, statutory agencies, health partners, commissioned providers, voluntary organisations and people with lived experience.
• Lead the development of a Long-Term Rough Sleeping Partnership Plan, including cohort analysis, operational planning and performance measures.
• Produce a comprehensive Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan with clear actions, accountabilities, milestones and outcomes.
• Secure partner commitments, manage governance approvals and prepare briefing materials for senior officers and elected members.
• Establish implementation, monitoring and handover arrangements to ensure effective delivery after publication.
• Proven project management experience delivering complex, time-critical projects within housing, homelessness, health, social care or a related public service environment.
• Strong understanding of homelessness and rough sleeping services, including prevention, statutory homelessness, temporary accommodation, supported housing and move-on pathways.
• Experience of translating strategy, policy or national requirements into practical and measurable action plans.
• Strong project planning, governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of working with performance data, baselines, targets and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the production of reports, action plans, briefings and governance papers.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within challenging deadlines.
• Experience of developing or reviewing local authority homelessness and rough sleeping strategies or action plans.
• Knowledge of the National Plan to End Homelessness and the Local Outcomes Framework.
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working across housing, health, social care, criminal justice and voluntary sector services.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and co-production with people who have lived experience.
• Recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, AgilePM, APM or equivalent.