Who we are & 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 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.
The Property, Assets and Traded Services team are pivotal in the Council’s building, asset and estates management, keeping Council properties, including Schools, clean, safe and healthy for all who use them. The Service Director is supported by 5 service managers, and the wider teams also take care of planned preventative maintenance programmes and capital project management and delivery
About the role.
We are now looking for a Senior Corporate Asset Officer to join our Corporate Asset Team and play a key role in shaping, managing, and improving how our property assets support the Borough’s priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled and motivated property professional to take the next step in their career and help deliver meaningful change across a diverse and high profile portfolio.
This is a key role supporting statutory duties, strategic decisionmaking, community engagement, and corporate property processes. You’ll lead on Community Asset Transfer (CAT) leases, manage property enquiries and work closely with services across the council to determine the most effective and efficient use of land and buildings.
What you'll get involved in
* Support the delivery, monitoring and ongoing development of the Council’s Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan (CASMP), ensuring property decisions align with service needs, community priorities and wider corporate objectives.
* Supporting the delivery of rolling property reviews to assess whether assets are required, fit for purpose, cost-effective, and aligned with current and future service needs.
* Identify underused or surplus assets and prepare option appraisals to inform evidencebased decision making.
* Co-ordinating and communicating across services and functions, ensuring all parties are working towards the Council’s strategic goals and objectives, whilst managing change and stakeholder expectations effectively.
* Assist with the development and implementation of property policies, guidance and procedures.
* Coordination and negotiation of Community Asset Transfer leases, ensuring transparency, consistency and community benefit.
* Dealing with internal and external enquiries regarding the use of Council assets, including engagement with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations and other public sector partners.
* Work collaboratively with Council services to understand operational need, signpost propertyrelated issues and support informed decisionmaking.
* Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Council’s property database and terrier, supporting accurate data collection, system improvements and reporting.
* Represent the service at internal and external meetings, developing strong working relationships with partners, stakeholders and community organisations, presenting reports where necessary.
* Carry out any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.
What you'll need to be successful:
The Knowledge
* A degree in Property, Real Estate, Surveying, Asset Management, Facilities Management or a related discipline.
* Understanding of strategic asset management principles and the property lifecycle.
* Awareness of property legislation, governance, and public sector frameworks.
* Understanding of data collection, analysis and reporting methods within a property context.
* Understanding of Community Asset Transfer (CAT) processes and principles of social value.
The Experience
* Working in property, estates or asset management, ideally within a public sector environment.
* Undertaking asset reviews and option appraisals.
* Analysing data to produce clear, meaningful reports and recommendations.
* Experience supporting or delivering projects that involve multiple stakeholders or service areas.
* Experience working with the VCSE sector, partners or service users on property or service delivery matters.
* Experience using property management systems, databases or digital mapping tools is desirable.
The Skills
* Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and present clear, evidence-based recommendations.
* A proactive, problem-solving approach with the ability to spot opportunities for improvement and contribute to service development.
* Strong relationship building and negotiation skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and services.
* Competence in Microsoft Office and confidence using digital tools to support decision making.
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. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. 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 link 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 recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
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.