Project Manager (Expert at Hands)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Project Manager to support the implementation and delivery of Buckinghamshire's innovative Expert at Hand model, a key workstream within the SEND Transformation Programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the successful delivery of a pioneering approach that brings specialist expertise closer to children, young people, families and schools. The role will play a critical part in improving early identification, timely intervention, inclusive practice and outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Working across a complex multi-agency environment, you will bring together education, health and social care partners alongside the Experts at Hand strategic and operational leads to drive sustainable improvement and deliver meaningful change for Buckinghamshire's children, young people and families.

The Expert at Hand model is a key component of Buckinghamshire's SEND Transformation Programme. It aims to strengthen inclusion and improve outcomes by providing schools, settings and families with timely access to specialist knowledge, advice and support.

Through collaborative and integrated working, the model will help build capacity within mainstream settings, support early intervention, promote inclusion and ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

Take a look at our Children's Social Care Candidate Pack to find out more.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.  

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As Project Manager, you will, coordinate and support the implementation, delivery and ongoing development of the Experts at Hand programme ensuring it contributes to Buckinghamshire's SEND improvement priorities, statutory responsibilities and long-term strategic ambitions.

Working under the strategic direction of programme leaders and governance groups, you will provide project management expertise across a range of interdependent workstreams, managing delivery from initial planning through to implementation, evaluation and benefits realisation. The role requires close working with the Experts at Hand operational lead, senior leaders, schools, health partners, families and other stakeholders, you will ensure the programme is effectively governed, resourced and delivered to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.

Success in this role will be measured through strengthened multi-agency collaboration, improved access to specialist support, enhanced inclusive practice and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end delivery of the Expert at Hand programme across Buckinghamshire.
• Develop and maintain programme plans, delivery milestones, governance arrangements and reporting frameworks.
• Coordinate activity across multiple teams, services and partner organisations to ensure successful implementation.
• Establish effective programme governance, providing high-quality reporting and assurance to senior leaders and boards.
• Monitor programme performance, ensuring delivery remains aligned to strategic objectives and intended outcomes.
• Identify, manage and mitigate programme risks, issues and dependencies.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure learning is captured throughout implementation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, education leaders, health partners, social care colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Champion co-production, ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are embedded throughout programme development and delivery.
• Use performance data and outcome measures to support evidence-based decision making and demonstrate impact.
• Ensure effective financial oversight, value for money and appropriate use of resources.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports, briefings and recommendations for senior leaders, governance groups and strategic boards.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and council policies.
• This is a highly visible and influential role requiring strategic thinking, excellent project management skills and a genuine commitment to improving inclusion and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

 

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced project professional who can lead complex transformation programmes, work collaboratively across organisational boundaries and inspire others to deliver meaningful change.

You will bring:

• Significant experience of leading and delivering complex projects or programmes within local government, education, children's services, health or partnership environments.
• Experience of managing transformational change and delivering measurable service improvements.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of SEND, inclusive practice, education systems and/or children's services.
• Understanding of current SEND policy and reform developments.
• Excellent project and programme management skills, including governance, planning, risk management, benefits realisation and performance reporting.
• Experience of working successfully across multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Strong analytical skills and experience of using data and performance information to inform decision making and drive improvement.
• Experience of engaging and working collaboratively with children, young people and families through co-production approaches.
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus across a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders and partners.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Experience of developing business cases, reports and long-term delivery plans.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, influence and inspire others.
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
• A recognised project or programme management qualification (such as PRINCE2, MSP, APM or equivalent) is desirable.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Kerry Lidgett at [email protected]

Closing date: Monday 14th September 2026.

Interview date: TBC

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Buckinghamshire is a successful, growing place with fantastic natural assets, a highly productive economy and many resourceful and thriving communities. However, we are far from complacent and our new and ambitious unitary authority is well placed to tackle the challenges associated with growth, an aging population, climate change and inequalities in both opportunities and outcomes – particularly for our children and young people.

Children’s Services is on an improvement journey and as our very recent Ofsted report shows, we have continued to improve despite the pressures of the pandemic and have built solid foundations for future success. Relationships with partners are strong and our collective response to the pandemic has strengthened and deepened our work together.

We have a big, ambitious agenda for Buckinghamshire, and our teams work collaboratively and at pace to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people across the county.

We are looking for talented and driven individuals to help us achieve the best outcomes for our children, young people and families in Buckinghamshire. Our key priorities include continuing to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm, whilst sustaining an environment where social work practice can thrive. Through our vital work with our partners, including The Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Childrens Partnership, we continue to improve our collective response to children and young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse, exploitation, substance misuse and mental health issues.

No matter what role you take on in our Children’s services, you will be part of a team who is dedicated to supporting children and their families to achieve their full potential.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/