At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative projects in children's social care and education reform.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leader in community-focused change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and impactful outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Strong project management skills and experience in diverse environments.
The predicted salary is between 55129 - 55129 £ per year.
This is a hybrid-working role, with attendance in the Chelmsford office one day per week on average, depending on business need. Please note this opportunity will be offered as a fixed-term contract or secondment until January 2028. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, so applicants must have current, unrestricted right to work in the UK for this duration.
Essex County Council is delivering a bold and ambitious programme of reform across Children's Social Care and Education Services - representing the most significant changes in over two decades. We are seeking a capable and motivated Project Manager to support the Programme Manager in delivering specific projects within this wider transformation programme.
This role will be responsible for managing the delivery of defined projects that contribute to the successful implementation of change including the Families First Partnership Programme and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. You will ensure that project objectives are clearly scoped, planned, and delivered on time, within budget, and to the expected quality standards.
You will work within a complex system, collaborating with internal teams and external partners - including Health, Education, Police, and the voluntary sector - to ensure project outputs align with wider programme goals and deliver meaningful improvements for children, young people, and families.
The role requires strong project management skills, including planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and governance. You will be confident in managing multiple priorities and influencing others to ensure delivery remains on track.
Hosted within Essex County Council's Transformation Team, the Project Manager will apply the Council's established change methodology, standards, and governance to ensure consistency and quality in programme delivery.
While experience in Children's Services is beneficial, we welcome candidates with strong project management expertise and the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
Accountabilities
- Responsible for managing a project, which contributes to ECC's strategic aims, to deliver agreed outcomes within time and cost constraints.
- Responsible for undertaking day to day management of both the project and the project team.
- Responsible for ensuring a robust business case has been agreed ensuring expertise and specialist knowledge has contributed to the development of the business case in order to align project deliverables to the organisation's expectations.
- Responsible for developing and monitoring the project progress to ensure this stays within the agreed budget. Set out resource requirements in order to be prioritised by the Portfolio/Programme Manager.
- Responsible for managing, leading and motivating a team and ensuring current capability is matched against project requirements. This incorporates support and coaching for individuals and the team, as appropriate, in order to develop a high performing team.
- Responsible for ensuring agreement with customers of quantified benefits to be realised & metrics required to monitor impact. Designing and actively managing the project plan to ensure the outcomes are achieved.
- Responsible for highlighting project risks and issues and ways in which these can be mitigated and escalated as appropriate.
- Responsible for ensuring effective Change Management processes are in place and changes to deliverables as agreed with stakeholders are documented.
- Responsible for ensuring an effective governance and assurance framework is in place to support decision making and ensure regular reporting on progress through pro-active engagement with project sponsors.
- Work collaboratively with and manage internal stakeholder relationships together with external partners.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to degree level or equivalent by extensive experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area, such as, APM practitioner or Prince 2.
- Evidence of having successfully completed several projects and experienced contributing to a range of other projects and/or programmes.
- Experience of working with a diverse range of individuals at different levels within a complex organisation and engaging with them, finding ways to overcome obstacles.
- Experience of working within a political environment with knowledge of a public sector setting and involvement in a large, complex environment.
- Good management skills in leading and managing a team and evidence of developing others.
- Ideally experience of working and delivering successful projects in children's services and/or education.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Project Manager - Children's Social Care and Education Reform employer: Local Government Chronicle
The Independent Schools Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of both staff and children. Located in the picturesque Letchworth Garden City, employees benefit from competitive pay, holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional growth while leading engaging activities that make a meaningful impact on young lives.
Contact Details:
Local Government Chronicle Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Children's Social Care and Education Reform
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Children's Social Care and Education Reform
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Local Government Chronicle:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Local Government Chronicle! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Local Government Chronicle
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
