Development Manager (Education Project Sponsor)

Development Manager - (Education Project Sponsor)

Fixed Term (18 months), Full Time

£46,501 to £54,707 per annum

Location: Chelmsford*

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 29th September 2025

*Please note this is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work at a functional work location (across Essex) 2-3 days per week on average, depending on business need.

This opportunity will be offered as an 18 month fixed-term contract or secondment.

The Capital Investment and Infrastructure Delivery team will develop and deliver the capital programme for Essex County Council. The team will focus on developing opportunities for capital investment in order to secure financial returns to support the Council's strategic priorities.

Responsible for the overall strategy, direction, co-ordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects within budget and to strict deadlines; whilst ensuring consistency with business strategy, commitments and goals.

With professional accreditation or a deep understanding of project management methodologies and the ability to demonstrate this in the delivery of projects/programmes. This role will also have experience of developing and maintaining project plans, setting key milestones and deploying and managing resources to meet these.

Accountabilities

Responsible for contributing to the development of strategies and plans to effectively manage stakeholder expectations. Ensuring successful delivery of quality project outcomes within agreed constraints, in support of function Business Plans.

Work in collaboration with senior leaders and stakeholders to define and agree project scope, critical success factors and deliverables in support of wider strategic goals.

Develop and deliver the project control documentation and agree reporting requirements with the client. Ensuring currency and compliance of project documentation, in line with agreed guidelines, to enable audits to be carried out.

Develop strategies to manage progress of the project plan, identifying risks, changes in scope and potential issues. Devise contingency plans to mitigate risks and escalate as necessary.

Deliver progress reports to the Portfolio Manager and/or Business Owner and Project Board, advising if project tolerances are being exceeded, informing and shaping decisions, presenting options and challenges as required.

Manage and monitor progress of the project budget, identifying opportunities for efficiency savings and value for money benefits, producing accurate forecasts and reports.

Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver work streams and projects to agreed quality criteria and parameters. Quality assuring standards and challenging as required.

Contributes to the revision/updating of project governance and management processes to reflect industry best practice and adhere to the Council's policies. Gains an understanding of new and emerging methodologies, associated tools and techniques.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or professional qualification, or equivalent by experience.

Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

Professional accreditation or deep understanding of project management methodologies e.g., Prince 2, or demonstration through experience.

Demonstrates theoretical knowledge and understanding of the technical, and contextual elements of project management and an ability to evaluate value to projects/programmes.

Good understanding of Change Management theories and experience of practical application.

Experience of developing and maintaining an agreed project plan, including key milestones with evidence of planning and managing the deployment of resources to meet project milestones.

Ability to build strong relationships and partnerships which encourage collaboration and engender delivery.

Experience of delivering organisational change in a complex environment.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex