Project Manager

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:  Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX. Hybrid working
• Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available 
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract or secondment for up to 2 years due to external funding via the Government SEND Reforms Grant

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change.

As a Project Manager in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Project Management Team,you’ll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

In this role, you will:

• lead high-profile SEND and inclusion projects that deliver meaningful change for children, young people and families.
• drive project delivery from planning through to implementation, ensuring outcomes, milestones and risks are effectively managed.
• work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and service areas to deliver improvement and transformation programmes.
• use data and insight to identify opportunities, evaluate impact and support evidence-based decision-making.
• prepare reports and presentations for senior leaders and governance boards.
• support the successful implementation of national reforms and local priorities through effective change management and stakeholder engagement.

What you will need

• A strong track record of delivering complex projects or transformational change within SEND, children's services, education, health or social care.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise and deliver high-quality outcomes to tight timescales.
• Strong knowledge of SEND and inclusion, alongside an understanding of relevant legislation, policy and national reform programmes.
• The ability to influence, engage and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of using data, insight and evidence to inform decision-making and support service improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of preparing reports and presenting information to senior leaders and governance groups.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile, which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

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 SEND Programme Management Office (PMO) Team sits at the heart of Suffolk’s ambitious SEND Reform Programme, driving transformational change that improves outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Working across education, health, social care and partner organisations, the team provides programme leadership, governance, performance insight, stakeholder engagement and delivery support to turn strategic ambitions into real impact. Join us and play a key role in shaping a more inclusive, confident and sustainable SEND system for Suffolk.

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 Jo Hedley (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing [email removed]

If you want 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 the Job and Person Profile (Word).

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 (Word).  

1. Please describe a complex project or programme that you have successfully delivered within SEND, education, children's services, health or social care. 
2. Provide an example of how your knowledge of SEND, inclusion, relevant legislation, policy or national reforms has informed a project, service improvement or organisational change.
3. This role requires working across organisational boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders.  Describe a situation where you had to build relationships, influence others and gain agreement from different stakeholders to achieve a shared outcome.
4. At Suffolk County Council we are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people and working collaboratively with partners and families.  Please tell us what motivates you to apply for this role and how your values align with Suffolk County Council's WE ASPIRE values and commitment to children, young people and families.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing [email removed]or calling [phone removed]. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.  

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 11 October 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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 requ