Project Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days annual leave (pro rata)

LGPS membership

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Training and knowledge expansion

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Project Manager in the SEND Programme Management Office to lead SEND and inclusion projects. You will work with education, health and social care partners, manage milestones and risks, and prepare reports for senior leaders and governance boards.

This fixed term contract or secondment lasts up to two years, with hybrid working in Ipswich. Salary is £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part-time) and the role is designed to deliver impact for children, young people

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering complex projects or transformational change within SEND, children's services, education, health or social care.
• Excellent project management skills with ability to plan, organise and deliver to tight timescales.
• Strong knowledge of SEND and inclusion, with understanding of legislation, policy and reform programmes.
• Ability to influence, engage and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience using data, insight and evidence to inform decision-making.
• Strong written and verbal communication with experience presenting to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-profile SEND and inclusion projects delivering meaningful change for children, young people and families.
• Drive project delivery from planning through to implementation, managing outcomes, milestones and risks.
• Collaborate with partners and service areas to deliver improvements and transformation programmes.
• Use data and insight to identify opportunities, evaluate impact and support evidence-based decisions.
• Prepare reports and presentations for governance boards and senior leaders.
• Support successful implementation of national reforms and local priorities through change management and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

SEND project delivery

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data and reporting

Communication

Change management

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX. Hybrid working
• Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract or secondment for up to 2 years due to external funding via the Government SEND Reforms Grant

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change.

As a Project Manager in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Project Management Team,you'll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• lead high-profile SEND and inclusion projects that deliver meaningful change for children, young people and families.
• drive project delivery from planning through to implementation, ensuring outcomes, milestones and risks are effectively managed.
• work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and service areas to deliver improvement and transformation programmes.
• use data and insight to identify opportunities, evaluate impact and support evidence‑based decision‑making.
• prepare reports and presentations for senior leaders and governance boards.
• support the successful implementation of national reforms and local priorities through effective change management and stakeholder engagement.

What you will need

• A strong track record of delivering complex projects or transformational change within SEND, children's services, education, health or social care.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise and deliver high-quality outcomes to tight timescales.
• Strong knowledge of SEND and inclusion, alongside an understanding of relevant legislation, policy and national reform programmes.
• The ability to influence, engage and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of using data, insight and evidence to inform decision-making and support service improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of preparing reports and presenting information to senior leaders and governance groups.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile, which you can find in the How to apply' section towards the bottom of this advert.

The team

The SEND Programme Management Office (PMO) Team sits at the heart of Suffolk's ambitious SEND Reform Programme, driving transformational change that improves outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Working across education, health, social care and partner organisations, the team provides programme leadership, governance, performance insight, stakeholder engagement and delivery support to turn strategic ambitions into real impact. Join us and play a key role in shaping a more inclusive, confident and sustainable SEND system for Suffolk.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report .

For more information

Please contact Jo Hedley (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing [e-mail]

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 11 October 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .