SEND Reform Project Manager

Next Link Consortium; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Next Link Consortium is recruiting an Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform to lead high-impact change programmes supporting children and young people aged 0–25. Based in the South West with hybrid working (approx.

2 days on-site), this 3-month rolling contract offers a competitive day rate. You will mobilise SEND Reform workstreams across mainstream education, maintain governance, engage multi-agency partners, and support procurement and contract management as part of a broad programme of

Qualifications

• 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 credibility to influence across multi-agency environments.

Responsibilities

• Mobilisation & Delivery: Lead 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.

Skills

SEND reform experience

Local government transformation

Public sector project management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & reporting

Job description

Role: Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform

Location: South West (Hybrid – approx. 2 days per week on-site)

Contract: 3-month rolling

Rate: c. £500 per day (Umbrella) / Competitive depending on experience

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.