Job Title: Project Manager
Salary: £46,579 to £47,664 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Carlisle
Contract: Fixed-Term (24 months)
About this opportunity
Are you an experienced project professional looking for an opportunity to lead complex and rewarding transformation programmes?
Cumberland Council is seeking a motivated and dynamic Project Manager to join our Programme Management Office (PMO). This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering strategic transformation projects that support the Council's ambitions for residents, communities and services.
This role will primarily support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of transformation projects across Children's Services, whilst also providing opportunities to contribute to wider corporate transformation priorities across the Council.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering strategic change that improves outcomes for children, young people, families and communities. Working within the PMO, you will lead and support projects aligned to the Council's Corporate Plan and transformation priorities, with a particular focus on service improvement, prevention, demand management, financial sustainability and the delivery of better outcomes for residents.
We recognise that successful project delivery benefits from a broad range of experiences and perspectives. Therefore, whilst knowledge of Children's Services or local government would be advantageous, we are equally keen to hear from candidates who have delivered complex projects and transformation programmes in other sectors and can bring fresh ideas, specialist expertise and innovative approaches to service improvement.
About the Role
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for managing projects through their full lifecycle, from initial scoping and business case development through to implementation, benefits realisation and project closure.
You will:
- Lead the planning and delivery of complex projects and transformation initiatives.
- Develop and maintain project plans, governance arrangements, risk registers and reporting frameworks.
- Monitor progress against milestones, budgets, benefits and outcomes.
- Support business case development, options appraisals and service reviews.
- Facilitate workshops, stakeholder engagement activities and project boards.
- Build effective relationships with colleagues, partners and senior leaders across the organisation.
- Ensure projects are delivered to time, quality and budget whilst maintaining a focus on achieving measurable outcomes.
- Support programme governance and reporting through the Council's PMO framework.
This is a varied role which will provide exposure to a wide range of strategic priorities and transformation activities across the Council.
This role is available on a fixed-term basis.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about delivering change and improving public services.
You will have:
- Experience of successfully managing projects, programmes or significant change initiatives.
- Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving skills.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and working collaboratively across teams and organisations.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience of project governance, reporting, risk management and performance monitoring.
We are keen to hear from candidates with a range of professional backgrounds and experiences. Applications are welcomed from individuals who have delivered transformation and improvement activity within sectors such as healthcare, education, emergency services, housing, the voluntary sector, the private sector, consultancy, technology, business change, operational improvement or programme delivery.
We recognise that diverse perspectives and expertise strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve.
Contact
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Lewis Bellas by email at [email protected]
Guaranteed Interviews
We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.
- Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
- Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
- Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).
If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.
Diversity, Inclusion & AdjustmentsWe’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing [email protected]. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.
Application and Interview information
Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions
- Closing date: 09/11/2026
- Interview date: Week Commencing 16/11/2026
If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at [email protected].
Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.
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