Project Manager – Commercial & Place

local.gov.uk; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local government initiative seeks a skilled Project Manager for its Commercial & Place business unit. The role involves driving impactful public sector projects, requiring strong leadership and communication skills. This permanent, home-based position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for travel to client meetings and regional hubs.

Benefits

Flexible working

Great benefits package

Autonomy in role

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' experience delivering complex projects.
• Understanding of local government and the UK public sector.
• Capability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of projects across public services.
• Manage budgets, risks, quality, and reporting.
• Engage with senior leaders to shape practical solutions.

Skills

Project Delivery

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Analytical Skills

Relationship Building

Education

Degree-level education

Tools

PRINCE2

APM

Agile PM

Job description

Please note, the recruitment for this role is being administered by the Local Government Association on behalf of Local Partnerships LLP.

Employer: Local Partnerships

Location: Home-based, with occasional travel

Salary: £40,000

Closing Date: 23 June 2025

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours Per week: 35

Background

We're looking for a dynamic Project Manager to join our Commercial & Place business unit at Local Partnerships – someone with the confidence to bring order to complexity and pace to ambiguity.

This is not your typical project management role. It’s an exciting, agile position where you’ll be trusted to drive structure, momentum and impact across a diverse portfolio of public sector transformation projects.

About You

The successful candidate will be a quick learner with strong initiative, able to manage multiple projects and adjust to changing priorities with minimal direction. You will be comfortable taking on tasks outside standard project management duties, reflecting the flexible, hands-on nature of our work.

You will have sound judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, and a track record of delivering complex projects. The role requires creativity, a client-focused mindset, and the ability to design delivery approaches that are both practical and proportionate, particularly with the challenges local government and the civil service face with capacity and capability.

The role also requires the ability to work independently, support colleagues at all levels, and build trusted relationships that contribute to the successful delivery of our business unit’s priorities and growth plan.

About the Role

As a Project Manager, you will:

• Lead the planning and delivery of projects across local government and public services

• Manage day-to-day operations: milestones, budgets, risk, quality and reporting

• Run workshops, client meetings and stakeholder engagement sessions

• Work directly with senior leaders to shape solutions that are practical and proportionate

• Flex beyond traditional project management tasks to help drive real-world change in local communities

• Support Local Partnerships’ impact and growth strategy

This role is home-based but will require occasional travel to Local Partnerships offices (London), client meetings or regional hubs.

Person Specification

• 3–5 years' experience delivering complex projects

• A solid understanding of how local government, the UK public sector and the Civil Service operates

• Experience managing multiple projects and shifting priorities

• A knack for building trust and relationships with clients and stakeholders

• A collaborative, confident and flexible approach to working in multi-disciplinary teams

• Excellent communication and analytical skills

• Sound judgement and strong organisational skills

To Apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

1. Project Delivery Experience (3–5 years)

• Clear evidence of project delivery roles over a sustained period (preferably 3–5 years).

• Description of delivered outcomes, timeframes, budgets, and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid).

2. Public or Third Sector Experience

• Roles/projects within or for the UK public sector (e.g. local councils, NHS, civil service) or the community-focused third sector.

• Mention of work involving elected members or understanding of public decision-making.

3. Contracting and Commercial Experience

• Experience managing/working within contractual or commercial frameworks.

• Reference to procurement, supplier relationships, delivering services under contract.

4. Stakeholder and Client Relationship Management

• Roles involving client-facing responsibilities, relationship management, stakeholder engagement.

• Specific references to senior stakeholder communication or influence.

5. Strong Communication and Reporting Skills

• Production of reports, briefings, or presentations with complex/analytical content.

• Use of language around workshop facilitation, verbal/written communication, or output generation.

6. Education and Project Management Qualifications

• Degree-level education (or equivalent).

• Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2, APM, Agile PM (“nice to have”).

Bonus if you have:PRINCE2, APM or Agile PM qualifications; consultancy or public sector transformation experience

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in shaping stronger, more sustainable public services

• Work on meaningful projects with autonomy and variety

• Join a purpose-led, values-driven team of experts

• Make a real difference to communities across England and Wales

• Flexible, home-based working with UK travel

• Great benefits package, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing and financial security.

Interested?

We’d love to hear from you! Click on the link below to read the job descriptions in full and then apply for the role.

Project Manager - Commercial and Place - JD

Want to learn more about our impact?

Read our latest Impact Report to discover the amazing work our team is delivering across England and Wales: Impact Report 2024

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, transgender identity, religion or belief.