Project Manager - 12 month FTC (multiple roles) in Bournemouth

Role Purpose

Starting salary for this role is £44,075 (pro rata for part‑time colleagues). This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. All new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. This is a forward‑thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

2 x Fixed Term Project Manager Roles 37 hours per week

BCP Council has two exciting opportunities for experienced Project Managers to join our team, working on continuous improvement, digital innovation and sustainable change. The roles focus on delivering projects within our Continuous Improvement and Innovation Programme, supporting key services including Housing and Public Protection. Previous experience delivering projects in these areas would be beneficial.

Main Responsibilities

• The successful applicant will play a key role in leading and driving the delivery of projects that really matter. You’ll take ownership of projects from start to finish, coordinating complex demands, managing expectations across a wide range of stakeholders, and keeping delivery firmly on track.
• The ability to proactively drive progress, make things happen and maintain momentum will be essential.
• You will lead multi‑disciplinary project teams, including external partners, creating the conditions for people to do their best work and ensuring high‑quality outputs that deliver clear outcomes and benefits.
• You’ll be accountable for shaping delivery, supporting teams, and ensuring project objectives are met.
• Using established project and programme management systems, you’ll actively track progress, benefits, budgets and risks – spotting trends, managing variances and providing clear insight to support effective governance and decision‑making.
• You’ll also act as a trusted source of advice and expertise, championing strong project and change management practice across BCP.
• This includes recommending improvements to approach and delivery to ensure projects are implemented effectively and sustainably.
• Continuous improvement sits at the heart of the role. You’ll contribute to identifying opportunities to improve how projects are delivered, analysing performance trends, evaluating options and helping shape better, more effective ways of working.
• Quality and assurance will be a core focus, with responsibility for planning and carrying out regular project reviews, identifying risks early and taking decisive action to protect successful delivery.

The Ideal Candidate

• You will be a natural collaborator, comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels and able to build strong, productive relationships that enable projects to be delivered successfully.
• Throughout your career, you have demonstrated your ability to make a real impact – using proven project management approaches while also being confident in problem‑solving, adapting and innovating to achieve the best outcomes.
• You are an excellent communicator, highly organised, and can think both critically and creatively when faced with complex challenges.

You Will Bring

• A degree or equivalent specialist experience in a relevant discipline or service area.
• A recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 or equivalent).
• A solid understanding of project management methodologies and best practice.
• Knowledge of a service area or specialism, alongside a broader understanding of the public sector and the challenges it faces, including local government structures and partnerships.
• Proven experience of managing projects and leading project teams, including multi‑disciplinary groups.
• Experience of monitoring and managing budgets.
• The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience of interpreting data, presenting information and producing clear, concise reports.
• Confidence in directing project teams and assuring the quality of outputs, ensuring delivery meets agreed standards and objectives.

Why you should apply

This is a brilliant opportunity if you want a role where you can see your work make a real difference – quickly, visibly, and at scale. You’ll be joining a team that is focused on practical delivery, not theory, and working on projects that directly improve how services run and how residents experience the council.

Why This Role Is Worth Going For

• Real impact, real outcomes – you’ll lead projects that improve services, reduce friction, and deliver tangible benefits for residents, colleagues and the organisation.
• High‑profile, meaningful portfolio – your work will directly support priority areas such as Housing and Public Protection, with clear organisational backing and visibility.
• A delivery‑focused environment – this is a role for someone who likes to get things done: moving work forward, unblocking issues, keeping momentum, and landing outcomes.
• Varied and interesting work – you’ll work across multi‑disciplinary teams and a wide range of stakeholders, meaning no two projects (or days) are the same.
• Chance to shape how we deliver change – you’ll help strengthen project and change practice across BCP, improving the way we plan, govern and deliver projects for the future.
• Supportive, ambitious culture – you’ll join colleagues who care about continuous improvement and want to do things better, while giving you space to bring your ideas, initiative and leadership.

For an informal discussion about these roles please contact Andrew Cox at andrew.cox@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with an existing right to work in the UK.

Inclusion and EEO

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive. From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people.

Our Benefits

• Pay: enhanced benefits package linked to our new Pay and Reward system.
• Work‑life balance: supportive environment that recognises the need for flexibility.
• Professional growth: opportunities for training, advancement and career development across a wide range of disciplines.
• Culture: inclusive, collaborative and innovative workplace where ideas are encouraged and valued.

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.