Senior Project Manager (Children's Social Care)

Senior Project Manager (Children's Social Care) Rate: £450 per day (Inside IR35, umbrella) Duration: 3 months initially Working Pattern: Hybrid (1-2 days onsite per week) About the Role An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Project Manager to support the implementation of a new Target Operating Model across Children's and Education Services. Working as part of a major transformation programme, you will lead the delivery of complex change initiatives, working closely with senior leaders, operational managers and frontline services to embed new ways of working and improve outcomes for children, young people and families. Key Responsibilities • Support the implementation of the new Target Operating Model across Children's and Education Services • Work closely with senior leaders and operational teams to design, plan and deliver transformation initiatives • Develop and maintain programme implementation plans, managing milestones, dependencies, risks and benefits • Lead organisational change activities, including stakeholder engagement, communications, mobilisation and embedding new ways of working • Build strong collaborative relationships across Children's Services, Education, HR and wider corporate teams • Monitor programme progress, produce robust reporting and ensure delivery remains aligned to strategic objectives • Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and delivery excellence throughout the programme lifecycle • Support governance arrangements, programme oversight and benefits realisation Key Requirements • Significant experience leading complex transformation programmes within Children's Services, Education or Local Government • Proven experience designing, mobilising and implementing Target Operating Models and service redesign programmes • Strong track record of delivering sustainable organisational change from concept through to implementation • Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, operational managers and frontline services • Experience translating strategic objectives into practical delivery plans and operational improvements • Strong programme and project management expertise, including governance, planning, risk management and benefits realisation • Experience working alongside HR teams, with a good understanding of organisational change and HR processes • Resilient, proactive and delivery-focused, with the ability to work effectively in fast-paced and complex environments