Project Manager, School Libraries in Exeter

Closing date: 10am, Monday 18 May 2026

Salary: £30,500 per year

Contract: Fixed-term contract until August 2029

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: Based in the South West as a home working role

Interviews: Online, Monday 1 June 2026

Our client empowers people with the skills they need to succeed in life. Together, they're helping people change their stories. You could join them as they work to ensure every primary school in the UK has a dedicated library space, leading delivery across the South West of England.

What you'll be doing:

• The government has committed to ensuring a library in every primary school in England by the end of this Parliament - a step that supports the aim to tackle the nation's steep decline in reading for pleasure.
• You will manage all aspects of project delivery in targeted locations across the South West of England, including the recruitment of schools, delivering training and evaluation, and creating high-quality resources linked to the school curriculum.
• You will be based in our client's school libraries team, and work closely with their communications, membership and local areas teams, as well as a range of external partners, including schools, publishers, authors and funders.
• This role is based in the South West of England and will involve regular travel around the area. There will also be some national travel for 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 our client is looking for:

• You will need excellent project management skills, and experience of event planning and delivery, and working with schools and/or young people.
• Knowledge of the education system and primary school curriculum will be essential.
• You will also need excellent communication skills, as well as being an adaptable and flexible team player, able to work independently and problem solve when necessary.
• Due to the nature of the role, you will 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 clients safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

Why our clients work is so vital:

Reading and writing change everything. They give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. They’re the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. They’re 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.

Our client helps people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words - reading, writing, speaking and listening.

• They work collaboratively in local communities, focusing their work in areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
• They support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
• They campaign to make reading and writing a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
• They support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders institutions to build their skills.

What our client offers you:

Their team are passionate about their mission and they have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. They offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to the organisations success, whoever you are.

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

To apply, please select the apply button shown. Please also complete our clients online equal opportunities monitoring form when you submit your application. Unfortunately, they are unable to respond individually to applications, so if you have not heard from our client by the advertised interview date, this means they have not been able to shortlist your application this time. Please note our client does not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites.