Project Manager, Early Years (East of England)

£33,000 per year pro rata (0.5 FTE) / £16,500 per year Part‑time, 17.5 hours per week

Fixed‑term contract for one year

Based in the East of England as a homeworking role

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we’re helping people change their stories. You could join us to deliver our early years programmes across the East of England.

What you’ll be doing

Supporting literacy in the early years is one of our key strategic priorities, ensuring every child starts school with language and communication skills ready to grow and learn at school. You will be responsible for delivering our early years programmes, which support children aged 0–5, their families and the early years practitioners and other professionals involved with their development. You will manage a variety of early years projects, which will involve training and supporting local practitioners across a range of settings, working with partners and volunteers to deliver events and activities directly to children and families, and ensuring our work meets key milestones and targets. Working with our Early Years Programme Managers, you will support the ongoing development and expansion of this work. You will also work collaboratively with colleagues in our communities and communications to deliver our Early Words Matter campaign, which aims to empower families, improve provision and strengthen systems. This role is based in the East of England region and will involve regular travel around the area. There will also be some national travel for our organisational away days, which take place in London three times per year, as well as approximately three team days per year. All travel expenses will be covered.

What we’re looking for

You will have recent experience of working in or with early years settings, or in an education or charity organisation working in the sector. You will also need a thorough understanding of early childhood development from birth to five, as well as excellent project management skills. Experience of event planning and delivery, as well as working with volunteers in the community, would be an advantage. Due to the nature of the role and the travel required, you will also need a driving licence and access to your own vehicle. This role is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything. It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go. The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond. We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges. We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children. We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision‑makers. We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission, and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are. As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset, and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase the representation of these groups among our staff, as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

Closing date: 10am, Thursday 21 May 2026. Please note, we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites.

Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).