Project Manager - Homelessness & Rough Sleeping

VennGroup; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VennGroup is seeking a Project Manager to lead the development, approval and publication of a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan for a South West Local Authority. The role is a hybrid contract up to 6 months with attendance at offices a minimum of 2 days per week and ASAP start.

The successful candidate will coordinate evidence gathering, develop a measurable delivery plan and manage a multi-agency partnership to translate strategy into action by 1 December 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead complex, time-critical projects in the public sector.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills for governance papers.
• Experience coordinating multi-agency partnerships across housing, health and social care.

Responsibilities

• Lead mobilisation, development, approval and publication of the Action Plan.
• Develop and manage project plan, governance, risks and reporting.
• Coordinate evidence gathering, data analysis and baseline development.
• Engage with council services, statutory agencies, health partners and partners.
• Produce a comprehensive plan with clear actions, milestones and outcomes.
• Secure partner commitments and manage governance approvals.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Communication

Public sector experience

Education

PRINCE2 certification

APM qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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.