Salary: £45,000 per annum.
Location: Our team have the option to work 60% of the time on-site, 40% at home. Our office is based in Central London (WC1B).
Contract type: 12-14 month fixed term contract as maternity cover.
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), Monday to Friday.
Deadline for applications: 6th July 2026.
Role Purpose:
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Delivery Manager to take a leading role in our programme of work designed to support practitioners and services working with babies, young children and their families.
This is an exciting opportunity to join workstreams as we transition from scoping to delivery. You will be integral to shaping the success of the programme and ensuring it delivers tangible impact.
We're looking for a positive, flexible team player with experience in delivering complex projects to a high standard. You'll be comfortable working strategically and operationally, seeing the big picture while ensuring attention to detail.
With your strong programme and project management skills, you will help drive our ambitious goals and ensure effective delivery. Your ability to navigate complex environments, understand strategic context, and adapt to change will be important in ensuring the programme's success.
Strategic Planning: Develop clear, actionable plans for the programme, ensuring a well-defined scope, objectives, timelines, and deliverables that keep the project moving forward smoothly.
Project Management: Lead on programme management, ensuring key milestones are achieved on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build and nurture strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, keeping everyone engaged, informed, and motivated about the programme. Manage expectations and ensure alignment across all parties. Maintain strong connections with external providers to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes on time and to the expected quality.
Resource Management: Oversee the efficient allocation of resources. Escalate any concerns or tensions around resourcing and ensure these are resolved. Ensure that all work stays within the agreed budget, adapting quickly to changing circumstances.
Reporting & Communication: Collect data as required to monitor and demonstrate progress. Provide regular, transparent updates to senior management and stakeholders, sharing project progress, challenges, and results. Keep communication flowing smoothly, ensuring visibility on every stage of the project.
Risk & Issue Management: Identify and address potential risks and issues early on, implementing proactive solutions to keep the project on track and prevent delays or disruptions.
Quality Control: Maintain a sharp eye for detail and ensure the highest quality standards are met throughout the project. Continuously assess project outputs and refine processes to drive the best possible results.
Relevant Knowledge, Experience and Personal Qualities:
The ideal candidate will have:
Proven experience in delivering large, complex, and high-profile projects within a fast-paced environment.
A passion for keeping projects on track. A solid understanding of project management methodologies, and the ability to tailor approaches to fit the project’s needs.
The ability able to respond confidently and positively to changing scenarios, and to a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
A commitment to the Centre for Early Childhood’s vision to build a happier, healthier, more nurturing world transformed by our approach to early childhood.
Experience working in policy, commissioning or service delivery for babies, children and families: a good understanding of the early childhood ecosystem.
Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills. Experience of collaborating and building relationships with a diverse range of internal and external partners. Proven ability to engage effectively with senior leaders.
An optimistic and energetic outlook, keen to maximise the positive change you and the team can deliver.
The ability to work under pressure, handle competing priorities, and make decisions in high-stakes environments.
It would be helpful to have an interest in nature-based early years provision.
We work as a team, supporting each other as required on different projects and programmes, particularly around key milestones and high-profile events. Therefore we need someone who is also happy to take a “roll your sleeves” up approach and help with things not strictly in your job description.
The Royal Foundation is a high-profile organisation, and the successful candidate will appreciate the importance of discretion and confidentiality and have a mature and professional approach.
Our Vision, Mission and Values:
The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation lead with the belief that change is always possible and are committed to building innovative, collaborative and optimistic solutions that deliver positive impact where it matters most.
Together, Their Royal Highnesses and The Royal Foundation have an unparalleled ability to take a long-term view and unite people, ideas and resources; inspiring action to deliver meaningful change for a better future for individuals, communities, society and our planet.
We unite people and purpose to create a better future – for individuals, communities, society and the planet.
We spark progress by connecting people, ideas and ambition.
The Royal Foundation brings together experts, communities and organisations to pilot and scale solutions – including building coalitions to tackle homelessness, laying societal foundations through our early childhood work, advancing mental health support and championing conservation. By turning insight into action, we help create stronger communities and a healthier future for people and the planet.
Their Royal Highnesses and The Royal Foundation bring together voices from every corner of society – forging powerful partnerships and taking a long-term view to create space for fresh thinking and shared ambition.
We believe that when people connect with purpose and empathy, real and lasting change is possible which is what The Royal Foundation’s values reflect:
Uniquely ambitious – We think big; we are curious; and we strive for excellence to drive progress for people and planet.
Respectfully honest – We communicate clearly, transparently, and candidly; we give and receive feedback with honesty; and we celebrate successes openly and own our setbacks embracing the opportunity for growth.
Collectively impactful – We are agile; we seek out, celebrate, and respect diverse perspectives; and we support one another to find balance and achieve more together.
As an employee of The Royal Foundation, you will be entitled to:
An 8% employer pension contribution, with the option to contribute to this yourself too.
Life Assurance.
Access to wellbeing support via our Employee Assistance Programme and online platform.
If you have the relevant skills and enthusiasm for this role, then we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your application using the form provided.
