Assistant Project Manager - Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities (WPHC)
Fixed Term / Secondment (23 months), Full Time
£33,475 to £39,382 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 18th January 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office 1-2 days per week, and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
Please note this opportunity will be offered as a 23 month fixed-term contract or secondment.
This role will be working within the Public Health portfolio with the Community Wellbeing and Healthy Weight teams. We use agile project management with an innovative approach in all our programmes to ensure deadlines are being met and reports are being noticed. Proactive thinking, organisational skills and reliability are key to our success in supporting the team to hardwire health and wellbeing across Essex.
Within the Assistant Project Manager role you will be support across a range of activities to deliver the objectives of a project, programme or portfolio.
The Assistant Project Manager enables the smooth running of the project by supporting the project manager through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities on their behalf.
Experienced in being planned and organised to ensure projects stay on track by monitoring progress and engaging with stakeholders, this role plays a key role in ensuring a structured approach to projects and maintaining quality of outputs.
Accountabilities
Responsible for ensuring robust systems are in place to enable effective planning and scheduling within a project, programme or portfolio.
Responsible for managing project controls effectively to ensure all reports provide an accurate update on project status and highlight any specific concerns on progress.
Responsible for ensuring key operational activities are conducted efficiently in a timely manner whilst ensuring compliance and adherence to critical business processes.
Responsible for documenting resource requirements and plans for projects or programmes or portfolios. Make recommendations to actively manage workforce planning for Project Managers and enable decision making on the best resources for each project based on current capability.
Work collaboratively with a broad and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
Responsible for effectively monitoring specific project spend and provide information required to support business case sign off to ensure colleagues are kept up to date on progress.
Responsible for taking the lead on highlighting potential areas for risk and escalating as appropriate to the Project Manager, recommending ways to mitigate such risks.
Responsible for leading specific workstreams within projects to ensure delivery of agreed outcomes within time, cost and constraints. This will include design of workstream and delivery approach.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to A level or equivalent by extensive experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area. For example AMP or Prince 2 foundation.
Experience and evidence of involvement in project management.
Experience of working with a broad range of individuals at different levels within the organisation and engaging with them, finding ways to overcome obstacles.
Keen to engage with others and learn from them.
Experience of working within a political environment with knowledge of a public sector setting and involvement in a large, complex environment.
Good planning and organising skills, determination to meet deadlines.
Curious manner, innovative approach in looking for alternative solutions.
Experience of working on Monday.com platform would be an advantage.
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: Policy, Economy, Investment and Public Health - Working for Essex
Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest - Basildon and Harlow - are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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