Project Specialist

Tesol Inc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A project management agency in the Greater London area is looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead a vital pilot programme. This is an office and work-from-home role, focusing on strategic projects within the Environment, Sustainability and Leisure department. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing project delivery while working collaboratively with various stakeholders. A strong background in agile project management and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading agile project management.
• Strong ability to manage risks and deliver projects on time.
• Experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management of the pilot programme.
• Manage project planning with external providers.
• Coordinate workstreams to ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Agile project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Critical thinking

Budget management

Communication skills

Job description

Project Manager

Southwark
Contract
£26.73 per hour or £34.93 per hour limited paid via umbrella company inside IR35

Our client is looking for an experienced Project Manager. 50% of the time each month should be office/WFH.

The role

The Environment, Sustainability and Leisure (ESL) department is recruiting a Project Manager on a 7‑month secondment or fixed‑term contract to the Programmes and Change team, part of the Climate Change and Strategic Support division. The division includes three distinct teams: Climate Change, Programmes & Change and Performance & Delivery. The division is responsible for a number of Southwark 2030 and the Council Delivery Plan priorities: climate change, energy; departmental programmes, projects, transformation and change; and departmental performance, delivery and business support.

The Programmes and Change team works across ESL to provide programme and project management support to strategic priorities, including on Streets for People, Southwark 360, Southwark Stands Together, and Leisure Strategy development. The team also delivers change and transformation, such as through service reviews with colleagues to review and improve processes, covering a whole range of services such as noise complaints, sports pitch bookings, No Recourse to Public Funds, Health and Safety, etc. It is a fast‑paced Programme Management Office (PMO) environment where collaboration is king, a test‑and‑learn culture exists, iteration is encouraged and human‑centred design underpins what we do every day to drive innovation and continuous improvement in the services offered to residents.

In September 2025, Southwark Youth and Play Service successfully secured status as a Department of Media, Culture and Sport’s Local Youth Transformation Pilot. This Pilot is an intensive, 10‑month programme, intended to transform the local youth offer through a comprehensive programme of activities, including establishing enhanced engagement processes with young people; co‑designing a Commissioning Framework for the Youth Offer; developing a quality assurance framework; and ultimately delivering a more relevant, impactful and high‑quality youth offer for the benefit of Southwark’s young people. This role will be responsible for leading the project management of the pilot.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about agile project management and has the skills and experience to ensure the successful delivery of the pilot. You will be responsible for leading the planning, managing, coordinating and reporting of the pilot, including detailed project planning with external providers. You will manage risks and ensure project and budget reporting requirements are met. You will coordinate and manage external and internal providers to ensure delivery of workstreams they are responsible for, so they are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard.

You will be a natural collaborator, working well with a range of stakeholders at all levels. Through your career you have shown how you can have real impact using both tried and tested methods, and you are willing to problem‑solve and innovate to get the best results. You have a can‑do attitude and are an excellent communicator, highly organised and able to think critically and innovatively. You hold a track record of delivering results and tangible benefits aligned with strategic objectives and are skilled at coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

We are an equal opportunities employer.