CSC Programme Manager

Civic Recruitment Limited; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited seeks a Programme Manager to lead a 7-month transformation across Children’s Social Care, Education and SEND. You will shape business cases, governance, and benefits realisation while engaging senior leaders and external partners to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Location: Halton; hybrid working with on-site presence required. Strong experience in public sector transformation and financial modelling is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex transformation programmes in Children's Social Care, Education or SEND.
• Strong knowledge of SEND and education reform.
• Demonstrable ability to translate strategic priorities into programme delivery.
• Experience with business cases, budgeting and financial modelling.
• Excellent governance, planning and benefits realisation skills.
• Ability to produce reports for senior leadership and governance boards.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex transformation programmes across Children’s Social Care, Education, and SEND services.
• Develop robust business cases, programme plans and implementation strategies.
• Manage governance, ensuring on-time delivery within scope and quality.
• Collaborate with finance to model savings and track benefits.
• Monitor risks, issues and mitigation strategies.
• Provide expert advice to ensure evidence-based, viable proposals.
• Maintain relationships with senior leaders, service managers and external partners.
• Coordinate project teams with clear objectives and accountability.
• Produce high-quality reports for boards and governance meetings.
• Ensure safeguarding and statutory responsibilities remain central.

Skills

Programme management

SEND knowledge

Education reform

Benefits realisation / risk management

Financial modelling

Stakeholder management

Reporting to senior leadership

MS Project

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Halton, United Kingdom | Posted on 24/07/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

7 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

The Programme Manager will lead and support the delivery of a complex transformation programme across Children's Social Care, Education, and SEND services. Working within the Change Delivery Unit, the role will provide strategic leadership, programme management expertise, and specialist advice to drive sustainable service improvement, ensuring transformation initiatives improve outcomes for children, young people, and families while delivering long-term financial sustainability and value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex transformation programmes across Children's Social Care, Education, and SEND services.
• Develop robust business cases, programme plans, and implementation strategies aligned to strategic priorities.
• Manage programme governance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to agreed quality standards.
• Work closely with finance colleagues to develop financial models, monitor savings, and track programme benefits.
• Monitor programme performance, identify risks and issues, and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Provide specialist advice and constructive challenge to ensure proposals are evidence-based, operationally viable, and deliver measurable improvements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders, service managers, practitioners, and external partners to support successful programme delivery.
• Lead and coordinate project teams, ensuring clear objectives, accountability, and effective delivery.
• Produce and present high-quality reports and updates for senior leadership, programme boards, and governance meetings.
• Ensure safeguarding, statutory responsibilities, workforce considerations, and service quality remain central to programme delivery.
• Evaluate programme outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and future transformation initiatives.

Requirements

• Proven experience managing complex transformation or change programmes within Children's Social Care, Education, or SEND services.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of SEND and wider education reform.
• Demonstrable experience translating strategic priorities into successful programme delivery.
• Excellent programme and project management skills, including planning, governance, risk management, and benefits realisation.
• Experience developing business cases and working alongside finance teams on financial modelling and budget management.
• Ability to produce and present reports for senior leadership and governance boards.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools, including Microsoft Project.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience within local government or the public sector is desirable.

Additional Information

• Location: Halton - Hybrid working – minimum one day per week on site (more frequent attendance initially to support relationship building).