SEND Reform Project Manager

Next Link Consortium; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Next Link Consortium seeks an Interim Project Manager for SEND Reform to lead targeted change programmes supporting children and young people aged 0–25. You will mobilise locality-based delivery models across mainstream education and enable delivery through the SEND Reform Partnership Board.

The role focuses on mobilisation across education settings, governance reporting, and strong stakeholder engagement with education providers, council services, NHS partners, and parent-carer groups.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in SEND improvement, local government transformation, or public sector project management.
• Recognised project management certification (PRINCE2, Agile, MSP) or equivalent delivery experience.
• Experience managing procurement, commissioning, contract management, or workforce mobilisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder management across multi-agency environments.

Responsibilities

• Mobilisation & Delivery: Lead the roll-out of targeted SEND Reform workstreams, embedding locality-based support models across education settings.
• Governance & Delivery Management: Maintain robust project plans, risk logs, milestones, and governance reporting frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships across education providers, council services, NHS/health partners, and parent-carer forums.
• Commercial & Resourcing Support: Support recruitment, commissioning, procurement, and contract management activities linked to service delivery.
• Impact & Reporting: Coordinate multi-agency communications, programme evaluation, and performance monitoring.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Risk management

Procurement/contract management

Public sector experience

Education

PRINCE2

Agile

MSP

Job description

Role: Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform

Contract: 3-month rolling

Are you an experienced Project Manager with a strong track record in local government, education, or public sector transformation? We are partnering with a key public sector client to recruit an Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform to lead high-impact change programmes supporting children and young people aged 0–25.

A core focus of this role will be driving the implementation of a targeted locality delivery model across mainstream education settings, acting as a key enabler for the multi-agency SEND Reform Partnership Board.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mobilisation & Delivery: Lead the roll-out of targeted SEND Reform workstreams, embedding new locality-based support models across education settings.
• Governance & Delivery Management: Maintain robust project plans, risk logs, milestones, and governance reporting frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships across education providers, council services, NHS/health partners, and parent-carer forums.
• Commercial & Resourcing Support: Support recruitment, commissioning, procurement, and contract management activities linked to service delivery.
• Impact & Reporting: Coordinate multi-agency communications, programme evaluation, and performance monitoring.

What We Are Looking For:

• Proven track record in SEND improvement, local government transformation, or public sector project management.
• Recognised Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, MSP) or equivalent demonstrable delivery experience.
• Experience managing projects involving procurement, commissioning, contract management, or workforce mobilisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence across multi-agency environments.