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SalaryWe are looking for two Project Managers to join Milton Keynes City Council to lead multiple high profile and complex projects that we are seeking to deliver across our Children Services area.
We are initially looking for: one 37 hours full time fixed term until end of March 2025 and one 37 hours full time fixed term until end of March 2026.
These posts will play a pivotal role in delivering high priority workstreams which will make a significant difference to the children and families across the city and support the City Councils overarching delivery strategy for our Children and Families service area. We are looking for dynamic individuals with a proven track record of delivering complex projects with high-quality long-lasting outcomes to work in a collaborative manner with teams across the local authority as well as a range of external stakeholders ranging from families, schools, childcare providers (including private providers, childminders, community and voluntary organisations and early years settings), to the DfE, CQC, Ofsted and DWP.
This advert is open to both external and internal applicants including possible secondment.
Below are the details of the projects that are the main focus of these roles. However, candidates will be expected to work on other projects at any given time.
Early Years Expansion and National Wraparound Childcare Programme: In Spring 2023 the government announced the most significant national changes and investment into the early years sector in many years.
The project will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the National Wraparound Childcare Programme, which is the government’s ambition that by 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am-6pm.
This project will also be responsible for the delivery of the expansion of the extended 30-hour entitlement for working parents to eventually include working parents with children aged from nine months. These projects are transformational changes that will make a significant difference to families across the city and support with children’s access to vital high-quality childcare.
Supporting families: This project will be responsible for delivering the Supporting Families Programme (previously known as Strengthening Families). The Supporting Families Programme is well established within MKCC now and is set to continue into 2025. Its focus is on building the resilience of vulnerable families, and on driving system change so that every area has joined up, efficient local services which are able to identify families in need and provide the right support at the right time. The Project Manager will lead a small team of advisors, analysts and business support as well as be responsible for promoting the scheme, oversight of the claims process and submitting information to DWP. This is a hybrid role with the requirement to come into the office at least once a week. We offer a full range of IT products that allow you to work from home effectively.
Please see attached job role for further information relating to the post. Shortlisting for this role and interviews will be held in June.
If you would like any additional information or to have an informal discussion regarding these posts, please contact Dominic Williams on dominic.williams@milton-keynes.gov.uk or Garry Lake on Garry.Lake@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Role Responsibilities- The Project Manager is responsible for the implementation of multiple projects including effective project planning and management including strategy, timescales, and budget to ensure the success of projects by taking appropriate actions where required and working in collaboration, and advising, the Project Sponsor, Board and key project stakeholders on the risks and recommendations. This includes the management and maintenance of all project related documentation.
- To define overall project structure, planning & organisation, delivery strategy and schedule of the project, working with the project sponsor, Strategic Lead or equivalent and project members managing project deliverables and resource to ensure the delivery of what is needed, when it is needed to maintain quality and standards of outputs.
- To develop, resource, and implement an effective change management and communications strategy plan for projects and for quantifying the gain from a project ensuring that benefits are realised, sharing learning with; other Project Managers, the project board, senior managers, and the wider organisation using whatever means appropriate.
- Accountable to Project Sponsors for all aspects of risk management on projects, including adequate review and assessment of risk, understanding probability and likely impact and ensuring adequate contingency and mitigation is in place.
- Responsible for day-to day management of project budgets, typically up to £250k and for overseeing the project change control and day-to-day issue resolution, dealing with inevitable problems in a clear and transparent manner. For management of supplier quality and performance and any associated contract of up to £1m of value, ensuring the project owner approves any changes and actions and is aware of all potential consequences
- The Project Manager is responsible for the management of any project team staff and reporting to the Project Sponsor on progress. Leading and mentoring individual project team members helping develop the skill set of team members and delegating responsibilities and transferring external skills from stakeholders into the organisation as appropriate. Maintain effective external stakeholder relationships to meet the requirements and deadlines of projects and look for opportunities to improve service delivery and achieve value for money.
Within reason these key deliverables may evolve to meet service need and it is expected that you will be flexible and adaptable in your delivery to meet both service and council wide needs.
- Knowledge and practical experience of project management techniques and approaches with practical experience of managing and delivering multiple complex projects using appropriate methodologies such as Prince 2 foundation.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent or comparable attainment by experience with evidence of continuous professional development.
- Strong problem-solving skills that will enable you to solve complex problems and ensure successful outcomes, removing blockages and obstructions to success. To possess both strong statistical skills including the ability to manage high quantities of data and quality assurance.
- Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively convey complex information to individuals at all levels in an accessible manner verbal, written and within presentations.
- Proven ability to manage and deliver multiple project work streams within budget and timeframe constraints.
- Proven ability to successfully implement strategies, turning plans into actions and successful outcomes.
- Ability to work as part of a team, sharing knowledge and experience, recognise the strengths and weaknesses of others, and constructively challenge to achieve productive outcomes.
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
Package DescriptionIn addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
