Project Manager

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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• £46,670 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week -Flexible working options available
• Fixed term / Secondment - 12 months

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as a Social Care Project Manager within the Children and Young People's Services (CYP) programmes team, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Project Manager in our Children and Young Person's Programmes Team, you'll be at the heart of driving positive change for vulnerable children and families across Suffolk. Your days will be dynamic and purpose-driven, where no two are exactly alike. You'll lead social care development, change and improvement projects that make a real difference in young lives, using data and evidence to inform your approach. In a typical day, you might find yourself facilitating a workshop with frontline staff, analysing project outcomes, or preparing reports that showcase the impact of your work.

You'll build meaningful relationships with partners both inside and outside the council, acting as a bridge between strategic vision and practical implementation. You'll have the opportunity to support national reforms while ensuring they're effectively tailored to meet local needs. Most importantly, you'll maintain a constant focus on the children and families we serve, ensuring that every project and improvement has their needs at its heart. Your work will directly contribute to strengthening our early intervention services and creating more effective pathways of support for those who need it most.

You will need

We hope you'll bring a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and families, along with strong project management skills to turn that passion into tangible results. Our ideal candidate has experience in planning and delivering projects with clear milestones and outcomes, preferably in a social care or public service context. You'll be comfortable working with data and evidence to drive improvement, and skilled at building relationships across different teams and organisations.

You'll need excellent communication skills - both written and verbal - as you'll be preparing reports, facilitating meetings, and engaging stakeholders at all levels. A solution-focused mindset is essential, as is the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

While knowledge of children's social care frameworks and safeguarding practices would be valuable, we value your transferable skills from other sectors.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The CYP Programmes team delivers essential social care and inclusion services while driving organisational change and improvement. Working at the cutting edge of children and young people's services, the team continuously adapts to evolving needs and responds proactively to national reforms with creativity and resilience. They've cultivated an environment where innovation flourishes, empowering team members to develop solutions that create meaningful impact.

We've identified a need to strengthen our programme's function, with particular focus on:

• Managing and supporting various change programmes and service improvements
• Responding effectively to national reforms
• Specifically supporting the new Families First programme

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Michael Parker-Canham (He/Him) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing michael.parker-canham@suffolk.gov.uk.

If you would like to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read theJob and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a project that involved multiple stakeholders? How did you ensure effective communication and collaboration among all parties involved?

2- Describe a situation where you had to lead a team through a significant change. What strategies did you use to manage the transition and maintain team morale?

3- Can you provide an example of how you have managed risk and safeguarding concerns in a previous role? What steps did you take to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals involved?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 21 May 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

Travel and Workplace Options

We encourage technology for communication. Sometimes you may need to travel. If you have a disability, talk to the contact below. They can help you with reasonable adjustments for this role.

This role supports hybrid working. It involves a balanced mix of working from home and the office. If you want to discuss how that might affect your work, please talk to the contact person. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).