Project Manager - Every Child a Reader

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Project Manager – Early Years “Every Child a Reader” Programme

£2.5 million. Four Local Authorities. One mission: Make South Yorkshire a place where every child loves to read.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is investing £2.5 million over three years to launch something big — a bold, joyful, high impact programme designed to transform early reading across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley.

We are now looking for a dynamic, driven and visionary Project Manager to bring this programme to life.

This is your chance to shape a major regional initiative, build partnerships across Early Years, Education and Libraries, and create lasting change for families and young children.

About the Programme

Every Child a Reader is an ambitious new early years initiative focused on:

• Building a love of reading through fun, interactive and inclusive community activities

• Strengthening early communication and language foundations

• Supporting families with the tools, confidence and resources to spark early literacy at home

• Growing a skilled Early Years workforce trained in early language and reading practice

• Delivering high impact interventions through Family Hubs, libraries and community venues

With large scale festivals, hyper local pilots, targeted interventions and innovative digital tools, this programme will reach families right across South Yorkshire

Your Role

As our Project Manager, you’ll lead the development, delivery and evaluation of this high profile programme. You will:

• Drive the programme from design to implementation, ensuring key milestones are met

• Work collaboratively with four Local Authorities, Family Hubs, libraries and early years partners

• Coordinate large scale activities including summer story festivals, workforce training and community pilots

• Use data and insight to shape interventions and evaluate impact

• Monitor risks, oversee budgets and maintain clear governance

• Champion innovation, creativity and continuous improvement

• Prepare reports, presentations and briefings for senior stakeholders

You’ll be based within the Barnsley GCA team, working pan regionally.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A confident project manager with experience delivering complex programmes

• Passionate about improving outcomes for babies and young children

• Skilled at building relationships and influencing across agencies

• Great at planning, problem solving and adapting to challenges

• Excited by creativity, community engagement and evidence based practice

• Motivated, organised and ready to lead a programme that truly makes a difference

Project management training/qualifications are desirable; experience is essential

Why This Role Matters

You’ll be at the heart of a major opportunity to:

Reduce early inequalities

Strengthen parent–child interactions

Improve early language and school readiness

Build a stronger, more connected early years system

Leave a legacy that transforms life chances across South Yorkshire

This is not just another project — it’s a movement

Ready to Lead Something Extraordinary?

If you’re passionate about early years, communities, creativity and real social impact, we’d love to hear from you.