Strategic Manager Homelessness Reform Delivery Partnership Programme Lead

For an informal discussion, please contact Mark Edwards on Email: m.edwards2@npt.gov.uk

Location of post: Hybrid working and Wales-wide travel

2 year secondment

Hybrid working and Wales-wide travel.

About the role:

This is an exceptional opportunity to take on a senior and influential national leadership role at a pivotal time for housing and homelessness services in Wales.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, working in close partnership with Welsh Government, is seeking an accomplished and highly credible leader to provide strategic direction and programme leadership to the Homelessness Reform Delivery Partnership.

Hosted and line-managed by Neath Port Talbot Council, the postholder will lead a complex, Wales-wide programme supporting the coordinated implementation of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Act 2026. The role will operate across organisational and sector boundaries, working with Welsh Government, local authorities, registered social landlords, health and social care partners, the third sector, criminal justice agencies and people with lived experience.

The opportunity

As Programme Lead, you will be at the centre of one of the most significant programmes of homelessness and social housing reform in Wales.

You will provide strategic leadership, programme management and expert implementation support, translating national legislation, policy and guidance into a clear, coordinated and deliverable programme of activity.

Working closely with senior leaders and national partners, you will establish the structures, relationships and delivery arrangements needed to support effective implementation across Wales. You will identify strategic risks, barriers and dependencies, develop evidence-based solutions and provide clear advice and assurance through the Partnership’s governance arrangements.

This is not simply a programme management role. It is an opportunity to influence national policy and practice, strengthen collaboration across the housing and public service system, and help improve the experiences and outcomes of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Key responsibilities

In this senior role, you will:

• Lead and coordinate the Homelessness Reform Delivery Partnership’s programme of work, implementation plan and delivery timetable.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear workstreams, milestones, responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
• Provide specialist advice on housing and homelessness legislation, policy and practice to the Partnership, Neath Port Talbot Council, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage programme performance, risks, issues and interdependencies, escalating matters requiring strategic or national resolution.
• Influence and secure progress across organisational boundaries, including in circumstances where you have no direct management authority.
• Coordinate the development of national implementation resources, guidance, learning materials and practical tools.
• Produce high-quality reports, briefings, recommendations and assurance information for senior leaders and national governance bodies.
• Build trusted relationships across local government, housing, health, social care, the third sector, criminal justice and other relevant services.
• Ensure that people with lived experience and frontline professionals are meaningfully involved in the development, testing and review of reform activity.
• Lead and develop a small programme team and manage any allocated programme resources and budgets effectively.

About you:

• We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and delivery-focused leader with the authority and credibility to operate effectively at senior and national levels.
• You will bring substantial experience from housing, homelessness, local government or another relevant public service environment, together with a strong applied understanding of housing and homelessness legislation, policy and practice in Wales.

You will have a successful track record of:

• Leading complex programmes, projects or partnerships across organisational boundaries.
• Implementing significant legislative, policy or service change within a complex multi-agency environment.
• Working with Welsh Government, national stakeholder groups or national governance arrangements.
• Advising senior leaders and boards on delivery, performance, risk and strategic options.
• Influencing, negotiating and securing outcomes across organisations and professional disciplines.
• Developing policy, guidance, consultation activity and high-quality implementation products.
• Establishing and leading effective teams, managing resources and maintaining a strong focus on delivery and accountability.
• Engaging partners and people with lived experience in a meaningful, inclusive and respectful way.

You will need excellent judgement, political awareness and communication skills, along with the ability to analyse complex evidence and present clear, practical recommendations. You will be comfortable operating in a highly visible and sensitive environment and able to maintain impartiality, professionalism and appropriate confidentiality.

You should be educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant knowledge and experience. A postgraduate or professional qualification in housing, public policy, leadership, programme or project management, or equivalent relevant experience, is also required.

For an informal discussion, please contact Mark Edwards on Email: m.edwards2@npt.gov.uk

Welsh Language Requirements:

Welsh Language skills are not required

Additional Information:

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans.

In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council.

Please note that applicants must meet all the essential criteria, as shown in the person specification, to qualify for a guaranteed interview.

If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you.

Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.

At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.

We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.

We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.