Project Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

St Joseph’s College in Ipswich is seeking a Project Manager to lead SEND School Commissioning and Development. You will drive the project from early planning through to opening, ensuring the school opens safely, compliantly and ready for learners.

You will coordinate design, planning, regulatory submissions, risk management and pre-opening readiness, working with contractors, Local Authorities and internal stakeholders to deliver across all phases of the project.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex education projects, ideally SEND-related.
• Strong planning, budgeting and risk-management skills.
• Proven ability to work with multi-agency partners and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND school commissioning from early planning to operational mobilisation.
• Coordinate design, planning, regulatory submissions and risk logs.
• Develop project plans, timelines and progress reports for governance.
• Ensure safeguarding, SEND Code of Practice compliance and Ofsted readiness.
• Support staffing models, policies and induction ahead of opening.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory submissions

Education sector experience

Job description

• St Joseph’s College
• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 9DR
• Salary: Competitive
• Hours: Full time
• Contract: Fixed term. Required as soon as possible
• Reference: 0891

St Joseph’s Collegeis looking for a Project Manager (SEND School Commissioning and Development).

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly organised Project Manager to support the commissioning and development of a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school.

You will lead the project from early planning through to operational mobilisation, ensuring the school opens safely, compliantly and fully prepared for learners. This is a key role for a senior professional with proven experience in education, SEND, children’s services, or complex public sector project delivery.

Reporting to the Vice Principal (Pastoral), you will coordinate multiple workstreams including design, planning, regulatory submissions, risk management and pre-opening readiness. You will work closely with contractors, Local Authorities and internal stakeholders to ensure effective delivery across all phases of the project.

You will develop and maintain detailed project plans, budgets, timelines, risk logs and progress reports, ensuring compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, safeguarding requirements and Ofsted expectations. The role also includes supporting the development of operational systems, staffing models, policies, recruitment and induction activity ahead of opening.

You will bring strong project management skills, excellent communication and the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders and multi-agency partners. A commitment to inclusive, child-centred practice is essential.

You will be resilient, proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines while maintaining high standards.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references.

Why join us?

This is a genuinely unique opportunity to shape a new SEND school and directly influence the quality of provision for children and young people with additional needs. You will be joining a committed and values-driven team with a clear moral purpose and a strong focus on inclusion, safeguarding and educational excellence.

You will have a high degree of autonomy and professional trust, working at the heart of a significant commissioning and development programme with real visibility at senior leadership level. The role offers the chance to see tangible impact from your work, from early design decisions through to the moment the school opens its doors.

We are committed to building a supportive, collaborative culture where expertise is valued and professional contribution is recognised. This is an opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role in a project that will make a lasting difference to families and communities.

To find out more

For further details, please email the HR Officer [e-mail] call 01473 690281.

Closing date: 9 am, 1 September 2026.

Applications will be considered as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. The College reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage of the process.

St Joseph’s College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake child protection screening appropriate to the post, including an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please be advised that applications cannot be accepted unless they are on the College’s Application Form. References will be taken up and will be carefully checked. DBS charge payable by applicant.