Project Officer

Shepton Mallet; Shepton Mallet; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

Shepton Mallet Town Council is seeking an ambitious, organised Project Officer to help deliver a programme of community projects. You will work with councillors, staff, residents and partners to turn ideas into reality, aligning with the Town Plan and strategic priorities.

The role involves managing projects from concept to completion, ensuring governance, budgets, risk and reporting. You will build partnerships, pursue external funding, and support improvements across town facilities, transport

Qualifications

• Minimum three years' experience managing projects within local government, the public sector, voluntary sector, regeneration, housing, community development or a similar environment.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing budgets and project resources.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-working skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare reports and present information clearly.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise competing demands.
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of Town Council projects and initiatives.
• Develop project plans, budgets, timelines, risk registers and monitoring frameworks.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed objectives.
• Prepare business cases, feasibility studies and project proposals.
• Monitor progress and identify solutions to emerging challenges.
• Identify opportunities for external funding, grants and investment.
• Support or lead the preparation of funding applications and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant-funded projects and ensure compliance with reporting and funding requirements.
• Build productive relationships with funding bodies and partner organisations.
• Develop effective working relationships with residents, community groups, businesses, statutory agencies and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Council at meetings, working groups and partnership forums where appropriate.
• Facilitate consultation and engagement activities to ensure projects reflect community needs and aspirations.
• Prepare reports, presentations and updates for Council meetings and committees.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.
• Develop and monitor project performance measures and outcomes.
• Provide regular progress reports to senior officers and councillors.
• Support delivery of the Council's strategic priorities and Town Plan.
• Research best practice, opportunities and emerging policy developments relevant to council projects.
• Contribute to the development of new initiatives that benefit the community and enhance local services.

Education

Project management qualification (PRINCE2, APM, Agile or equivalent)

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Shepton Mallet Town Council is seeking an ambitious, organised and enthusiastic Project Officer to help deliver an exciting programme of projects that will have a lasting impact on our community. This is a unique opportunity to join a progressive and forward-thinking Town Council at a time of significant opportunity and change. Working with councillors, staff, residents, community organisations, businesses and public sector partners, you will play a key role in turning ideas into reality and supporting the delivery of the Council's strategic priorities. From community infrastructure and regeneration initiatives to environmental improvements, youth provision and transport projects, you will help ensure that projects are planned effectively, delivered successfully and achieve meaningful outcomes for local people. If you are passionate about community improvement, enjoy building relationships and have a proven track record of delivering projects, we would love to hear from you. About the Role Reporting to the Chief Officer and working closely with councillors, committees and external partners, the Project Officer will develop, coordinate and deliver a diverse portfolio of projects aligned with the Council's strategic objectives and Town Plan. You will be responsible for managing projects from concept through to completion, ensuring appropriate governance, stakeholder engagement, financial oversight and performance monitoring throughout. This role requires a highly motivated individual who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery and who is comfortable working across multiple projects simultaneously., Project Development and Delivery

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of Town Council projects and initiatives.
• Develop project plans, budgets, timelines, risk registers and monitoring frameworks.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed objectives.
• Prepare business cases, feasibility studies and project proposals.
• Monitor progress and identify solutions to emerging challenges.

Funding and Investment

• Identify opportunities for external funding, grants and investment.
• Support or lead the preparation of funding applications and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant-funded projects and ensure compliance with reporting and funding requirements.
• Build productive relationships with funding bodies and partner organisations.

Partnership Working

• Develop effective working relationships with residents, community groups, businesses, statutory agencies and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Council at meetings, working groups and partnership forums where appropriate.
• Facilitate consultation and engagement activities to ensure projects reflect community needs and aspirations.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare reports, presentations and updates for Council meetings and committees.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.
• Develop and monitor project performance measures and outcomes.
• Provide regular progress reports to senior officers and councillors.

Strategic Support

• Support delivery of the Council's strategic priorities and Town Plan.
• Research best practice, opportunities and emerging policy developments relevant to council projects.
• Contribute to the development of new initiatives that benefit the community and enhance local services.

Current Areas of Focus The successful candidate may be involved in projects relating to: Capital Investment- New Town Hall

• Town centre regeneration
• Community facilities and public spaces
• Youth provision and engagement
• Active travel and transport initiatives
• Environmental sustainability and climate action
• Community wellbeing projects
• Cultural and heritage initiatives
• Grant-funded community programmes
• Strategic partnerships and local investment opportunities

Project priorities will evolve over time in response to Council objectives and community needs., Please note we're not responsible for the content of job ads, as they're posted by the recruiter. We'll aim to resolve the reported issue and we'll use your feedback to improve the quality of our ads.

You will be a motivated and creative individual with excellent organisational and communication skills and a proven ability to manage projects effectively.

• Minimum three years' experience managing projects within local government, the public sector, voluntary sector, regeneration, housing, community development or a similar environment.
• Experience of coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience of managing budgets and project resources.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-working skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare reports and present information clearly.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise competing demands.
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel as required.

Desirable Requirements

• Project management qualification (PRINCE2, APM, Agile or equivalent).
• Experience of grant funding applications and funded project delivery.
• Knowledge of local government governance and decision-making processes.
• Experience of community consultation and engagement.
• Experience using project management software such as MS Project
• Understanding of local government and the role of town and parish councils.
  Shepton Mallet is one of Somerset's most historic market towns and is entering an exciting period of investment and development. The Town Council has ambitious plans to improve local facilities, strengthen community services and support initiatives that improve quality of life for residents.

This role offers a rare opportunity to work on projects that make a genuine difference to the community while helping shape the future direction of the town.

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to deliver visible and meaningful improvements for the community.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping the future of Shepton Mallet.