Project Manager

Project Manager

We have a number of Project Manager posts, working to the Children’s Transformation Director but supported and managed by the Transformation & Improvement Service.

For each post, the primary focus is on leading the end-to-end delivery of complex projects through a structured project management and change framework. The role involves planning and controlling project activities, defining scope, quality standards, budgets, timescales and resource requirements, and coordinating the work of multidisciplinary teams. A significant part of the job is maintaining project governance by producing and updating key project documentation such as initiation documents, project plans, budgets, risk and issue logs, benefits realisation plans and progress reports. The postholder is expected to apply formal project management and change management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that delivery remains controlled, transparent and aligned with agreed objectives.

It also requires analysing and challenging existing business processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency and service enhancement, and ensuring that proposed changes deliver measurable benefits. The Project Manager is responsible for managing stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, gathering and refining requirements, tracking both financial and non-financial benefits, managing risks and dependencies, and escalating issues through appropriate governance routes when required. The position places considerable emphasis on monitoring performance, maintaining robust controls, supporting benefits realisation after implementation, and ensuring that any significant changes to plans are managed through formal change control processes.

An understanding of local authority systems and processes and experience in a similar environment would be beneficial, as well as a “can do” attitude.

Project Manager – Children’s Transformation Programme

Help shape the future of Children's Services in Cheshire East

Improving outcomes for children, young people and families is one of Cheshire East Council's highest priorities. To support this work, we are looking for candidates to join our Children's Transformation Programme through a number of exciting 18-month* fixed term contracts.

Dawn Godfrey, Executive Director of Children's Services, said:

"Improving children's services is a priority for the council. We are committed to ensuring children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time, particularly those with the most complex needs. Through transformation, we are creating services that are more effective, sustainable and responsive, helping us achieve better outcomes for children and families across Cheshire East."

Opportunities Available

We are looking to fill several 18-month* fixed term opportunities, including:

• Programme Manager
• Project Managers

These roles provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience delivering complex, high-profile transformation projects, broaden your skills, expand your network and make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Cheshire East.

You do not need previous Children's Services experience. If you have the right skills, enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

What will you be working on?

Successful candidates will support a range of transformational projects and programmes, including:

1. Digital Transformation

Redesigning and digitising processes across Children's Services to reduce administrative burdens, improve efficiency and support better decision-making.

2. Right Child, Right Home Programme

A key programme focused on ensuring children receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time, including:

• Edge of Care - introducing evidence-based family interventions to help families stay together safely and reduce the need for children to enter care.
• Supported Accommodation for Young People Aged 16-25 - developing new accommodation and support options to improve transitions to independence and reduce reliance on costly external placements.
• National House Project - creating stable, long-term housing solutions for care-experienced young people to improve outcomes and independence.

3. Data, Forecasting & Financial Sustainability

Developing forecasting and financial management tools that support better decision-making across Children's Services, with an initial focus on Children in Care, Care Leavers and SEND.

Working closely with senior stakeholders and service leaders, you will develop robust programme and project documentation, ensure effective governance, reporting and risk management, and help coordinate complex commissioning and procurement activity.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in delivering fundamental change across Cheshire East's major transformation priorities.

If you are a proactive project professional with strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for delivering impactful transformation, we'd love to hear from you.

Please contact either Chad Thompson (chad.thompson@cheshireeast.gov.uk), Leeanne Forster (leeanne.forster@cheshireeast.gov.uk) or Martin Middleton (martin.middleton@cheshireeast.gov.uk) for an informal chat about these posts.

* Contract end date 31st March 2028

Attachments

• Project Manager Job Description and Specification.pdf