SEND Reform Project & Change Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Flexible leave

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain seeks an experienced project and change manager to drive SEND Reform initiatives within Somerset Council, delivering end-to-end projects from planning to governance. The role requires strong stakeholder engagement, procurement and risk management, with hybrid working based at County Hall, Taunton.

Evidence of public sector project delivery and experience with recruitment or procurement is essential; visa sponsorship is not offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multiple projects end to end (initiation to closure).
• Knowledge of public sector service improvement.
• Experience with recruitment, commissioning or procurement and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver SEND Reform projects on time, within budget and to a high standard.
• Develop and oversee project plans, coordinate resources and manage dependencies.
• Manage programme plans, risks, milestones and governance reporting.
• Drive implementation of the EAH Locality Delivery Model.
• Mobilise and deliver the SEND Reform projects across Somerset.
• Help implement new processes, systems and ways of working while maintaining business continuity.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels and build relationships with education settings, health partners and SEND stakeholders.
• Coordinate programme communications, evaluation and performance reporting.
• Support recruitment, procurement and contract management linked to delivery.
• Champion best practice in project and change management and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Governance reporting

Education

Project management qualification

Job description

This fixed-term project and change manager post, for up to three years, sits within Somerset Council's SEND Reform Programme, subject to Department for Education funding. The role runs projects end to end, from planning and governance through to risk, reporting and benefits, working with education, health and council partners. Its main focus is the Experts at Hand model for children and young people aged 0 to 25, with hybrid working available. Visa sponsorship is not offered, so candidates must already have the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Deliver SEND Reform projects on time, within budget and to a high standard
• Develop and oversee project plans, coordinate resources and manage dependencies
• Manage programme plans, risks, milestones and governance reporting
• Drive implementation of the EAH Locality Delivery Model
• Mobilise and deliver the SEND Reform projects across Somerset
• Help implement new processes, systems and ways of working while maintaining business continuity
• Engage stakeholders at all levels and build relationships with education settings, health partners and SEND stakeholders
• Coordinate programme communications, evaluation and performance reporting
• Support recruitment, procurement and contract management linked to delivery
• Champion best practice in project and change management and drive continuous improvement

Experience

• Proven experience managing multiple projects end to end, from initiation to closure
• Knowledge and experience of public sector service improvement
• Experience of recruitment, commissioning or procurement and contract management

Skills & knowledge

• Stakeholder engagement skills

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship

Nice to have

• Technical project management qualifications, or proven applied knowledge and experience
• Service improvement experience in SEND

What’s offered

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working, with hybrid working based at County Hall, Taunton
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities