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 flexitime 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.
Our construction colleagues have significant responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of one of the region's largest property portfolios. With work spanning responsive and planned repairs, cyclical maintenance and emergency out of hours repairs, fire and building safety, disabled adaptations, asset improvement, stores, purchasing and waste, call handling and customer support, this is a high-performing team operating on the front line with a truly vital role to play in ensuring safe living and working conditions for residents and employees of Gateshead.
About the role.
As a Business Liaison and Development Officer, you'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of construction services across Gateshead Council's property portfolio and to external clients. You'll act as a central point of contact, liaising with stakeholders, clients, and internal teams to ensure efficient service delivery and promote the Construction Services brand.
Your responsibilities will include:
* Meeting with clients and stakeholders to address concerns and follow up on queries.
* Advising the Service Manager on business demands and growth opportunities.
* Promoting Construction Services in collaboration with the communications team.
* Monitoring and chasing client payments to maintain financial stability.
* Managing and updating SLAs, ensuring compliance with pricing and work packages.
* Engaging new clients and managing ongoing service agreements.
* Supporting the team with documentation, presentations, and meeting coordination.
What you'll get involved in:
To be an integral part of construction services business delivery across the Council property portfolio and to other external clients.
Meet face to face with clients and stakeholders to allay concerns and formulate responses whilst chasing up queries.
Directly report into Service Manager, to advise on current business demands, opportunities for growth and all other relevant ventures.
Work closely with Section Managers of delivery teams to ensure works are prioritised and delivery is efficient
Promotion of Construction Services along with communications team and other services within the council to change the image presented.
Work to improve communication channels between the Construction services and the commercial entities with whom we engage.
Ensure effective credit control by actively tracking and following up on outstanding invoices, maintaining positive cash flow to enable uninterrupted service provision.
To act as a central point of contact, provide comprehensive support to the team and work under pressure and to tight deadlines to ensure an effective and efficient service is provided, including the production and distribution of meeting minutes, presentations, and document production (production, formatting, amending, and delivering).
To communicate effectively and demonstrate a positive, diverse, and inclusive attitude to both internal and external stakeholders, other services, partnerships, agencies, and service users to obtain/share information relevant to the service.
Liaise with all levels within the council across all services where required.
Engage with new possible clients to whom construction services can provide a service to along with engaging and managing the SLAs with clients going forward.
Oversight of all current SLAs between construction services and all clients, ensuring they are up to date with annual price changes and works packages content.
Following up with clients on remedial works identified through inspection/servicing.
What you'll need to be successful:
The Knowledge
The Qualifications
* Knowledge of MS Office Suite or similar office IT systems / office-based software packages such as Microsoft Office including Access, Excel, Outlook, and Word
* Excellent organisation and time management skills, using time management processes to achieve deadlines.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Ability to build relationships across the commercial, public, and third-party sector.
* Ability to negotiate.
* Full driving license or access to mobility support.
* Willingness to undertake any additional corporate or trade training as required.
* English and Maths Grade C / 4 or above, or relevant demonstrable experience.
* Level 3 or an equivalent professional or vocational qualification (business, marketing etc.) or willing to work towards.
The Experience
* Experience of account/stakeholder management.
* Proven experience in building and maintaining strong working relationships with a diverse set of partners.
* Experience in business, either retail, food and drink, leisure, or the office sector.
* Experience of using and maintaining databases and / or Management Information Systems.
Contracts or SLA implementation experience or similar.
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:
* 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.
* 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.
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
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.