IT and Digital Project Manager

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work pattern

Pension scheme

Annual leave entitlement

Cycle to work

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking an IT & Digital Project Manager to lead and deliver complex IT and digital initiatives that support the Council's priorities. The role emphasizes governance, budgets, and stakeholder engagement in a public sector setting.

Working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with hybrid pattern (40% in office) at Civic Centre, you will turn strategy into action and drive delivery across programmes, services, and suppliers.

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 (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.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of complex IT and digital projects from concept to implementation and review.
• Develop business cases, delivery plans, and roadmaps aligned to priorities.
• Own project governance with robust documentation, controls, and delivery on time, cost, and quality.
• Coordinate interdependencies across programmes, services, suppliers, and partners.
• Engage stakeholders and influence senior leaders to define priorities and outcomes.
• Provide clear leadership reporting for project boards and decision‑makers.
• Resolve risks and challenges to keep delivery on track.
• Manage budgets and resources for value for money.
• Champion governance, cyber, data protection, and accessibility best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery standards and benefits realization.

Skills

PRINCE2

Agile

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Risk management

Job description

IT and Digital Project Manager: Full time, Monday-Friday 37 hours per week.

Hybrid Working pattern: 40% of time in office

Location: Civic Centre

Deliver Digital Projects That Make a Real Difference.

Who We Are And What We Stand For

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.

Deliver Technology That Transforms How People Access Public Services.

We’re part of IT Services within the Resources and Digital Directorate, and our Digital Transformation team is at the heart of driving innovation across the Council. Our mission? To empower colleagues, deliver on key priorities, and shape the future of services through smart, digital solutions.

We work closely with service areas to tackle challenges head‑on, champion technology as a force for positive change, and make sure every employee has the modern tools they need to succeed. From streamlining processes to introducing cutting‑edge solutions, we’re here to create a workplace that’s efficient, connected, and ready for tomorrow.

Where strong project management meets meaningful public impact.

As our new IT & Digital Project Manager, you will lead and deliver complex IT and digital projects that support 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.

What You'll Get To Do

• 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.

What You'll Bring

• 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.

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

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.