We are looking for an experienced and driven Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex, high‑impact projects that support organisational priorities, service improvement, and transformational change. This is an exciting permanent opportunity to play a key role in shaping and delivering programmes that make a tangible difference across the Council and for our communities.
Our Strategic Programmes & Improvement Service is a recently relaunched, single, integrated function that brings together expertise in programme delivery, business partnering, governance, and organisational improvement. We operate across two core areas: delivery of programmes, projects and portfolios, and assurance and capability through our Corporate PMO and Change Hub.
You’ll be joining a collaborative, professional, and forward‑thinking team that works across service areas to deliver priority outcomes. The team is made up of experienced programme managers, project managers, and improvement specialists, all focused on driving impactful, measurable change.
We pride ourselves on a supportive and inclusive culture, where team members are empowered to innovate, continuously improve, and share best practice. When you join us, you can expect to work in a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued, and your professional development is actively supported.
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of complex and high‑risk projects, ensuring outcomes are achieved within agreed scope, time, cost, and quality parameters.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading projects from initiation through to closure, with full accountability for delivery outcomes
- Establishing robust project governance, plans, and controls (including risk, issue and dependency management)
- Managing multidisciplinary teams and suppliers through matrix working
- Producing clear, evidence‑based reports, business cases, and recommendations for senior stakeholders
- Proactively identifying and resolving risks, issues, and change requests
- Managing project budgets (up to £5m) and ensuring value for money
- Ensuring benefits are clearly defined, tracked, and embedded into operational delivery
- Building strong relationships across services, partners, and stakeholders
- This role is key to delivering strategic priorities and offers the opportunity to work in a politically sensitive and complex environment, where your expertise will directly influence outcomes and improvements at scale.
- You will also contribute to strengthening project management standards, tools, and continuous improvement across the organisation, helping to build long‑term capability.
We are looking for a highly capable and motivated individual with strong experience in delivering complex projects within large or complex organisations.
You will bring:
- Proven experience in project management, using recognised methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile)
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and influencing skills
- Experience managing budgets and resources effectively
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with the confidence to make evidence‑based decisions
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, able to manage multiple priorities
- Knowledge of local government or similar complex environments (desirable but advantageous)
You will also demonstrate our organisational values:
- Proud – delivering high‑quality outcomes and taking ownership
- Ambitious – driving improvement and innovation
- Collaborative – working effectively across teams and partners
- Trustworthy – acting with integrity and professionalism
The team work in the office for 40% of the week (2 days for full time), with Tuesdays being a set team office day. Your second day is dependant on your business demands or individual team meeting priorities.
If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: George Letham [email protected] or Amanda Hughes [email protected]
Interviews will commence on the week of the 3rd August 2026.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.
Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
If you have interviewed for this position in the last 6 months, please do not apply again at this time.
We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
- a fair and inclusive culture
- the chance to really make a difference to those around you
- health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
- a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
- ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
- opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.
https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/
