Overview
Development Manager - (Education Project Sponsor). Fixed Term (18 months), Full Time. Salary: £46,501 to £54,707 per annum. Location: Chelmsford. Working Style: Anywhere worker. Closing Date: 29 September 2025. 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 is 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 focuses on developing opportunities for capital investment to secure financial returns that support the Council's strategic priorities.
Responsibilities
* Responsible for the overall strategy, direction, co-ordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects within budget and to tight deadlines; ensuring consistency with business strategy, commitments and goals.
* Demonstrate professional accreditation or a deep understanding of project management methodologies and apply them to the delivery of projects/programmes.
* Develop and maintain project plans, set key milestones and deploy/manage resources to meet these milestones.
* Contribute to the development of strategies and plans to effectively manage stakeholder expectations; ensure successful delivery of quality project outcomes within agreed constraints in support of function Business Plans.
* Collaborate 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 project control documentation and agree reporting requirements with the client.
* Ensure currency and compliance of project documentation, in line with agreed guidelines, to enable audits.
* Develop strategies to manage progress, identify risks, changes in scope and potential issues; devise contingency plans and escalate as necessary.
* Deliver progress reports to the Portfolio Manager and/or Business Owner and Project Board, advising if tolerances are being exceeded, presenting options and challenges as required.
* Manage and monitor progress of the project budget, identify opportunities for efficiency savings and value-for-money benefits; produce accurate forecasts and reports.
* Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver work streams and projects to agreed quality criteria and parameters; quality assure standards and challenge as required.
* Contribute to the revision/updating of project governance and management processes to reflect industry best practice and adhere to the Council's policies; gain understanding of new and emerging methodologies and tools.
* Understand and work towards specified individual and shared targets and objectives defined annually within the performance management framework.
Experience & Qualifications
* Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or professional qualification, or equivalent by experience; evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional area.
* Professional accreditation or deep understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Prince2), or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Demonstrates theoretical knowledge and understanding of the technical and contextual elements of project management; ability to evaluate value to projects/programmes.
* Good understanding of Change Management theories and practical application; experience of developing and maintaining an agreed project plan with key milestones and deployment of resources to meet milestones.
* Ability to build strong relationships and partnerships that encourage collaboration and delivery; experience of delivering organisational change in a complex environment.
* Mobility requirement: role requires being mobile throughout an operational area; therefore, a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet mobility requirements through other means.
Additional Information
To read more about us, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex
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