Project Officer Apprentice (Culture and Leisure)

This two-year apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone wishing to start a career in Project Management. This apprenticeship will offer the chance to gain valuable experience working within a range of services across the Leisure and Culture division. This would be a great opportunity for you to hone your skills, gain insight into the work of different services and work towards a Project Management Qualification.

As a Project Officer Apprentice, you will play a crucial role in supporting various project teams to deliver exciting service improvements and transformations across libraries, arts, leisure centres, open spaces, and parks.

Are you a driven and solution-focused individual with experience in delivering projects that have a positive impact on the lives of others? Are you looking for a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of residents across Richmond and Wandsworth? Richmond and Wandsworth Council is seeking a skilled Project Officer Apprentice to join our Leisure and Culture Division. This role is crucial as the successful candidate will work across all services and acquire a range of varied skills. You will take ownership of project delivery, actively manage risks, and engage with stakeholders, helping the organisation scope, design, and implement meaningful changes and improvements.

Based in several placements over 2 years, you will work within service teams to deliver transformation projects and service improvements in areas such as Libraries, Leisure Centres, Parks and Open Spaces and/or Arts. Throughout the duration of the 24 months adequate training and support will be provided. Additionally, you will have the chance to study for a professional project management qualification (APM Level 4) whilst gaining hands-on experience. This is an exciting time to join Richmond and Wandsworth Councils in this important role, offering you the opportunity to broaden your experience, develop new skills, and make a significant impact on the organisation.

• Knowledge and Interest: You have a passion for Local government and particularly Culture and Leisure services, such as leisure centres, parks, and libraries. Also, we are looking for someone with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within each of these services. Additionally, you will also demonstrate an interest in a career in project management.
• Experience: Ideally, you have some work and volunteering experience related to delivering projects in the community, particularly within the public sector. We are looking for experience which indicates enthusiasm and the potential to be successful in the field of project management in local government.
• Skills: Your strong customer service ethos, effective communication skills, time and people management abilities will be key strengths. Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and SharePoint, is needed.

Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd February (midnight)
Shortlisting Date: 5th February
Interview Date: w/c 9th February

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.