Project Manager - Children's Social Care and Education Reform

-; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Project Manager to support children's social care and education reform initiatives. This hybrid position requires managing projects effectively, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and ensuring successful implementation of educational programmes. Ideal candidates will have a degree, project management expertise, and preferably experience in children's services. Competitive salary and flexible working conditions offered.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Support for unpaid carers

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development in project management.
• Experience working in political environments and public-sector settings.
• Strong leadership skills with evidence of developing others.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects and deliver outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints.
• Oversee day‑to‑day project and project team management.
• Lead and motivate a high‑performing team.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks.

Skills

Project management expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Leadership skills

Change management

Education

Degree qualification or equivalent

Tools

APM practitioner

PRINCE2

Job description

Project Manager – Children's Social Care and Education Reform

Fixed Term / Secondment (12 months), Full Time. £46,860 to £55,129 per annum. Location: Chelmsford. Working style: Anywhere worker. Closing Date: 9th November 2025. Hybrid‑working role requiring presence at a functional work location 2‑3 days per month on average, depending on business need. Secondment or fixed‑term contract for 12 months, with potential for extension.

Essex County Council is delivering a bold programme of reform across Children’s Social Care and Education Services—a major change over two decades. We are seeking a capable Project Manager to support the Programme Manager in delivering specific projects within this wider transformation programme.

The role will manage the delivery of defined projects that contribute to the successful implementation of change, including the Families First Partnership Programme and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. You will plan, risk‑manage, engage stakeholders and deliver projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards, collaborating with internal teams and external partners (Health, Education, Police and the voluntary sector).

Hosted within the Council’s Transformation Team, you will apply the Council’s established change methodology, standards and governance to ensure consistency and quality in programme delivery. Experience in Children’s Services is beneficial but not essential.

Accountabilities

• Manage projects and deliver agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints.
• Oversee day‑to‑day project and project team management.
• Ensure a robust business case aligns project deliverables with organisational expectations.
• Develop and monitor project progress to keep it within the agreed budget.
• Lead, motivate and support a high‑performing team, providing coaching and development.
• Negotiate and confirm quantified benefits with customers and define metrics to monitor impact.
• Identify, assess and mitigate project risks; escalated as required.
• Implement effective Change Management processes and document changes to deliverables.
• Maintain governance and assurance frameworks; report progress proactively to sponsors.
• Maintain annual performance targets within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Degree qualification or equivalent level of experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in project management (e.g., APM practitioner or PRINCE2).
• Successfully completed several projects and contributed to a range of programmes.
• Experience working with diverse individuals across a complex organisation and overcoming obstacles.
• Experience working within a political environment and public‑sector settings.
• Strong leadership skills with evidence of developing others.
• Preferable experience delivering successful projects in Children’s Services and/or Education.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex has a stimulating public‑service environment, flexible working options and a focus on innovation. The Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet minimum requirements. We provide support for unpaid carers, flexible working arrangements, and uphold the values of integrity and ethical behaviour.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.