Project Manager - Children's Residential Home (Procurement and Opening)

Sandwell Children's Trust; Oldbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local children's services organization in Oldbury is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects. This role involves ensuring compliance and managing risks, budgets, and stakeholder engagement to achieve strategic goals. Generous benefits include flexible working, competitive pension contributions, and a comprehensive support environment for staff.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Flexible working patterns

Employee benefits scheme

Access to training programmes

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects in public sector.
• Understanding of regulated environments and frameworks like Ofsted.
• Direct experience in children's services or residential care is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a comprehensive project plan aligning with strategic goals.
• Lead the design and implementation of a new service model.
• Manage risks, issues, and budgets effectively.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Project leadership

Compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM)

Job description

Project Delivery & Integration

Develop and manage a comprehensive project plan, ensuring alignment with the Trust's strategic goals and integration with wider transformation programmes.

Service Model & Compliance

Lead the design and implementation of a new service model by early Summer 2026, ensuring compliance with SMBC, SCT, DfE, Ofsted, and relevant legislation.

Risk, Budget & Governance

Proactively manage risks, issues, and budgets, operating within governance frameworks and reporting regularly to senior stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Performance Management

Collaborate with internal and external partners to agree and monitor service delivery targets and performance outcomes.

Procurement & Quality Assurance

Oversee procurement processes, including specification development, tendering, contract negotiation, and supplier management. Monitor service quality throughout development and construction phases.

Operational Readiness & Support

Support the creation of operational policies, procedures, and training plans for the homes' opening, and assist the Programme Manager in delivering the Sufficiency Strategy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects in public sector, health, education, housing, or social care settings.
• Understanding of regulated environments, with the ability to apply frameworks such as Ofsted or equivalents (e.g., CQC, education inspection bodies).
• Comfortable working within governance structures and reporting to senior stakeholders. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience managing risks, budgets, and resources to deliver projects successfully.
• Direct experience in Children's Services or Residential Care is beneficial but not essential.
• Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM, MSP) or equivalent experience.
• Experience in procurement and contract management or supporting procurement processes.

About Sandwell Children's Trust

At Sandwell Children's Trust, we firmly believe that the voice of the child should be at the centre of everything we do. We are on an ambitious journey to ensure that children and families in Sandwell are safe and empowered to thrive.

Our 'Sandwell Deal', brings together our new improved offering that make Sandwell Children's Trust a great place to work; it also sets out our expectations of you as a member of staff., When people join the team at Sandwell they say it feels like they become part of the family…they have #ComeHomeToSandwell. With the work that we have done so far and with the ambitions we have for the future, it's a really exciting time to join Sandwell Children's Trust and to become part of our Family. So, if you think your future could lie with Sandwell Children's Trust, then we'd love to hear from you., At Sandwell Children's Trust we strive for excellence to improve the lives of children. To achieve this we know how important it is to retain and attract high performing, forward thinking and innovative people and provide them with all the support they need. With a culture of collaboration, partnership working and the child at the heart of everything we do, it really is an exciting time ...

Sandwell sits in the heart of the West Midlands and has a diverse population of 341,729 people. While Sandwell is the 12^th most deprived local authority in England, it is a community where our families have high aspirations and where we pride ourselves on equality of opportunity and our adaptability and resilience.

What we can offer you:

• Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
• Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
• You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
• We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
• Flexible working patterns that suit you and all of our roles have well-defined career progression.
• We provide competitive expenses for both mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.
• Flexible working patterns that suit you and all of our roles have well-defined career progression.
• Access to our Learning & Development portal offering virtual training programmes, learning & development info bursts, learning events and much more.
• The latest technology enabling more effective and streamlined working.
• Detailed and effective appraisals to strengthen your practice.
• Access to a range of family friendly policies.

Benefits & Rewards

• Up to £6,500 re-location package
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
• The opportunity to purchase up to 10 days additional holiday through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 bank holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, this is a nationwide career average scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
• We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
• Reimbursement of Social Work England registration
• 24/7 access to free and confidential employee counselling service
• Access to a range of discounts on products and services
• Salary sacrifice schemes for cars, bikes and technology.
• Refer a friend scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives and forums
• Discounted gym membership
• Eye care vouchers