Job Introduction
Salary: £41,177 - £43,149 a year pro rata
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract type: Internal Secondment / Fixed Term until end of March 2027
We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates.
This role is available until end of March 2027. Internal candidates who are permanent employees of Luton Council will be appointed on a secondment basis, while external candidates and other eligible applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term contract until end of March 2027,
Current Luton Council employees applying for this opportunity must obtain written approval from their manager before applying (an email will suffice). A copy of this approval must be included with the application, as we will be unable to progress applications without it.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
What You'll be doing
Luton Council is looking for an experienced Improvement Project Manager to play a key role in delivering projects that support the Children's Services Improvement Programme.
The role will lead and coordinate multiple improvement and transformational projects, ensuring they are delivered effectively, on time, within budget and to a high standard. The postholder will manage project plans, risks, issues and reporting, while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes, value for money and efficiency.
Working collaboratively across the Council and with external partners, the Improvement Project Manager will build effective relationships, maintain stakeholder engagement and support the resolution of complex issues. The role will also provide project updates to senior management and governance forums to support informed decision-making.
The postholder will use their professional expertise to provide guidance, support, training and supervision to colleagues, promote best practice and contribute to wider business and improvement priorities.
This is an excellent opportunity to make a positive and lasting contribution to improving services and outcomes for children, young people and families in Luton.
What we're looking for
The successful candidate will be an experienced project professional with a strong track record of managing complex change and transformation projects, ideally within a public sector environment.
You will have strong knowledge of project management methodologies, with experience of managing risk, change and stakeholder engagement, and of developing and delivering project plans, business cases and supporting documentation. You will be confident analysing complex information and data, identifying trends and presenting clear, meaningful reports to support decision-making.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, with the ability to consult, challenge, influence and negotiate effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders. You will be highly organised, able to work autonomously and manage competing priorities, while also working collaboratively to mentor and develop others.
You will have a good understanding of equality considerations and their impact on service delivery, alongside knowledge of public sector consultation and tendering processes. A PRINCE2, Agile Practitioner or equivalent project management qualification/experience, together with experience using project management software and tools, is desirable.
The role requires the ability to travel within the Borough and attend meetings outside normal working hours when required.
About us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision - that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty - is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council - and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
Application ProcessBecause of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person's criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse, and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
Please click here to learn about Luton Council Employee Benefits.
How to apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our 'How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: Please click here for further information.
Attached documents:
Salary: £41,177 - £43,149 a year pro rata
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract type: Internal Secondment / Fixed Term until end of March 2027
We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates.
This role is available until end of March 2027. Internal candidates who are permanent employees of Luton Council will be appointed on a secondment basis, while external candidates and other eligible applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term contract until end of March 2027,
Current Luton Council employees applying for this opportunity must obtain written approval from their manager before applying (an email will suffice). A copy of this approval must be included with the application, as we will be unable to progress applications without it.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
What You'll be doing
Luton Council is looking for an experienced Improvement Project Manager to play a key role in delivering projects that support the Children's Services Improvement Programme.
The role will lead and coordinate multiple improvement and transformational projects, ensuring they are delivered effectively, on time, within budget and to a high standard. The postholder will manage project plans, risks, issues and reporting, while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes, value for money and efficiency.
Working collaboratively across the Council and with external partners, the Improvement Project Manager will build effective relationships, maintain stakeholder engagement and support the resolution of complex issues. The role will also provide project updates to senior management and governance forums to support informed decision-making.
The postholder will use their professional expertise to provide guidance, support, training and supervision to colleagues, promote best practice and contribute to wider business and improvement priorities.
This is an excellent opportunity to make a positive and lasting contribution to improving services and outcomes for children, young people and families in Luton.
What we're looking for
The successful candidate will be an experienced project professional with a strong track record of managing complex change and transformation projects, ideally within a public sector environment.
You will have strong knowledge of project management methodologies, with experience of managing risk, change and stakeholder engagement, and of developing and delivering project plans, business cases and supporting documentation. You will be confident analysing complex information and data, identifying trends and presenting clear, meaningful reports to support decision-making.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, with the ability to consult, challenge, influence and negotiate effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders. You will be highly organised, able to work autonomously and manage competing priorities, while also working collaboratively to mentor and develop others.
You will have a good understanding of equality considerations and their impact on service delivery, alongside knowledge of public sector consultation and tendering processes. A PRINCE2, Agile Practitioner or equivalent project management qualification/experience, together with experience using project management software and tools, is desirable.
The role requires the ability to travel within the Borough and attend meetings outside normal working hours when required.
About us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision - that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty - is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council - and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
Application ProcessBecause of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person's criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse, and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
Please click here to learn about Luton Council Employee Benefits.
How to apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our 'How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: Please click here for further information.
Attached documents:
- Luton_Values_Flyer.pdf - Luton Values Flyer
- PREF102391 Project Manager M... CFE.pdf - job description