At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative projects that make a real difference in early years education.
- Company: Join the London Early Years Foundation, a mission-driven social enterprise.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, childcare discounts, and 26 days off.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful change while working in a supportive, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven project management experience in digital and operational change.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 £ per year.
This role is offered on a 6‑month fixed‑term contract, with a salary of £65–70k pro‑rata. We are open to considering flexible working applications.
Deliver transformation that matters. At the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), we are proud of our high‑quality education and care provision across our nurseries in London. We are a charitable social enterprise, driven by a mission to give every child the best start in life. This Senior Project Manager role sits within our Digital & IT Transformation function and plays a critical part in how we deliver meaningful, sustainable change across the organisation. This is not a theoretical or academic role – it is hands‑on, delivery‑focused and centred on getting important transformation initiatives over the line in a way that truly works for our teams.
As our Senior Project Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of internal transformation projects spanning systems, data, processes and ways of working. You’ll bring structure, clarity and pace to complex initiatives, helping teams adopt new tools and approaches with confidence. You’ll work closely with colleagues across IT, Operations, People, Finance and Marketing, as well as external partners, to ensure solutions are practical, well‑documented and embedded successfully across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the end‑to‑end delivery of multiple internal transformation projects, from discovery and scoping through to implementation, handover and adoption.
- Owning project scope, plans, timelines, risks, dependencies and budgets, ensuring delivery remains realistic and aligned to organisational capacity.
- Driving projects to completion, proactively identifying and removing blockers.
- Leading the implementation of business systems such as HRIS, recruitment platforms, CRM and operational tools.
- Working closely with IT teams and external suppliers to manage integrations, data flows and dependencies.
- Defining and overseeing data migration, validation and cutover activities, ensuring compliance with GDPR and sector‑specific requirements.
- Owning high‑quality project documentation, including process maps, workflows, configuration decisions, data models, MVP definitions and operational run‑books.
- Establishing and embedding clear project management ways of working, templates and governance, while keeping approaches lightweight and pragmatic.
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation, translating technical detail into clear, accessible communication.
- Partnering with transformation and internal communications colleagues to support change adoption and behaviour change.
- Managing suppliers and third‑party partners, holding them to account for delivery quality, timelines and documentation.
- Overseeing testing, training and user adoption activity to ensure solutions are fit for purpose before handover.
- Providing clear, concise status reporting on progress, risks and priorities to senior stakeholders.
We’re looking for you to…
- Be an experienced, credible project leader with a proven track record of delivering complex digital, systems and operational change.
- Be highly organised and detail‑focused, with exceptional documentation skills and a strong sense of ownership.
- Have a deep understanding of software delivery, data, integrations and deployment.
- Be confident working in regulated or compliance‑heavy environments, with a strong grasp of GDPR and data protection principles.
- Be calm, pragmatic and solutions‑focused, even when navigating complexity and competing priorities.
- Communicate clearly and confidently, translating technical detail into language that works for non‑technical audiences.
- Build strong, trusting relationships across teams and with external partners.
- Balance delivery ambition with organisational readiness, bringing people with you through change.
- Be comfortable working independently while keeping senior leaders informed, aligned and confident in progress.
What’s in it for You?
- Shape the way we work: Bring your ideas and help us improve how we do things it’s not all set in stone.
- Be part of something bigger: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference.
- Enjoy the perks: Competitive salary and a market-leading 7% employer pension contribution.
- Save on childcare: 70% discount at our nurseries if you have children or grandchildren.
- Time to recharge: 26 days off a year including Christmas closure, your birthday off plus bank holidays.
- Feel valued: Wellbeing app, shopping discounts, team events, and more.
- Grow your HR skills: A great opportunity to deepen your expertise and learn more.
Interested? If you’ve had experience in HR and looking for a meaningful role in a dynamic, purpose led organisation, we’d love to hear from you! Applications are progressed as they come in — don’t wait too long to apply.
Senior Project Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London employer: LEYF Nurseries
At the London Early Years Foundation, we pride ourselves on being a charitable social enterprise that prioritises high-quality education and care for children. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying benefits like a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and significant discounts on childcare. Join us in a dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and you can grow your skills while contributing to a mission that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like LEYF Nurseries. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at LEYF Nurseries.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at LEYF Nurseries.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at LEYF Nurseries and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at LEYF Nurseries
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like LEYF Nurseries will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to LEYF Nurseries.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at LEYF Nurseries.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at LEYF Nurseries. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
