Project Officer

iO Associates; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community improvement organization is seeking a Project Officer with expertise in children's services. The role involves overseeing community projects, managing contracts, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for families. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and excellent stakeholder communication. This interim position offers a competitive day rate and a hybrid working arrangement based in Yorkshire.

Benefits

Competitive day rate

Hybrid working arrangement

Opportunity to make a difference in services

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Project Manager in children's services or social care.
• Strong knowledge of commissioning and SLAs.
• Excellent communication skills to influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing community and family projects.
• Manage contracts and vendor relationships for compliance.
• Produce reports for senior leadership teams.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Contract Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Job description

Job Title: Project Officer
Contract: Interim (initial 3-6 months, with possible extension)
Location: Hybrid - Yorkshire area
Day Rate: Competitive (Inside IR35)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in children's services to oversee and drive ongoing community and centre-based projects. This interim role requires someone with proven expertise in service delivery, contract management, and stakeholder engagement to ensure high-quality outcomes for children, young people, and families.

The ideal candidate will be confident managing multiple workstreams, monitoring vendor performance, and ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs). You\'ll work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and community organisations to deliver positive change and improved services for families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and monitor ongoing projects across community settings and family centres.
• Manage Service Level Agreements (SLAs), contracts, and vendor relationships to ensure compliance and value for money.
• Drive project delivery against agreed timelines, outcomes, and budget.
• Liaise with senior stakeholders, service providers, and multi-agency partners to ensure coordinated support for children and families.
• Produce high-quality reports, presentations, and updates for senior leadership teams.
• Identify risks, issues, and areas for improvement, ensuring mitigation strategies are in place.
• Support continuous improvement of services in line with best practice and statutory requirements.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven track record as a Project Manager in children's services, family support, or related social care sectors.
• Strong knowledge of commissioning, SLAs, and vendor/contract management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver against targets in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience of reporting to senior leadership.
• Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational delivery.

Desirable

• Previous experience in local authority or public sector settings.

What\'s on Offer

• Competitive day rate (inside IR35).
• Hybrid working arrangement - mix of remote and on-site in the Bradford area.
• Opportunity to make a tangible difference in children\'s and families' services.
• Chance to join a forward-thinking organisation committed to improving outcomes for the community.

If you\'re interested and would like to make an impact, we would love to hear from you. Please apply and share your CV