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SW RIIA Targeted Project Manager

Salary: £450.00 - £500.00 per day
Location: Dorchester

 

Regional SW RIIA Targeted Project Manager / Project Officer

Education, SEND, Health & Children's Social Care

Location: Southwest Region (Remote/Hybrid)
Contract Type: Interim
Hours: Flexible
Rate: Competitive Day Rate Up to £500 per day

Connect2Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council, providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of being ethical, trustworthy and caring, and 50% of our profits are returned directly to Dorset Council for investment in frontline services

We are looking to build a pool of talented and experienced Project Managers and Project Officers to support a range of targeted projects across the Southwest.

These projects span Education, SEND, Health, and Children's Social Care and are designed to drive service improvement, transformation, collaboration, and better outcomes for children, young people, and families.

This is a flexible opportunity that can work around existing commitments. Some assignments may require support for just one day a week, while others may involve leading multiple workstreams or larger regional initiatives. Depending on project requirements, one individual may manage several projects, or several professionals may collaborate on a single programme.

While sector knowledge is welcomed, we are primarily seeking individuals with strong project management skills who can quickly establish credibility, engage stakeholders, and deliver results.

The Role

As a Regional SW RIIA Targeted Project Manager/Project Officer, you will work with local authorities, education settings, health partners, and children's services to deliver projects that make a genuine difference.

You will help turn ideas into action, bring people together around common goals, and ensure projects remain focused, on track, and outcome driven.

This role would suit someone who enjoys variety, can adapt quickly to new environments, and is passionate about improving services for children, young people, and families.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate targeted projects across Education, SEND, Health, and Children's Social Care.
  • Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and delivery frameworks.
  • Monitor progress and ensure projects remain on track and within agreed timescales.
  • Identify and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies.
  • Build strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple organisations.
  • Chair and facilitate project meetings, workshops, and regional network forums.
  • Produce reports, presentations, briefing papers, and recommendations for senior leaders.
  • Support transformation, service improvement, and change initiatives.
  • Share learning, best practice, and innovation across the Southwest region.
  • Track outcomes and ensure projects deliver measurable and sustainable improvements.

Essential Criteria

Experience

  • Proven experience delivering successful projects, programmes, or service improvement initiatives.
  • Experience working across complex stakeholder environments.
  • Experience managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
  • Strong project planning, coordination, and delivery skills.
  • Experience facilitating meetings and engaging stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work independently while managing multiple workstreams.
  • Confident producing high-quality reports, updates, and presentations.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Desirable Criteria

  • Knowledge or experience within:
    • SEND
    • Education Services
    • Children's Social Care
    • Health Services
    • Early Help and Family Support
  • Experience within:
    • Local Government
    • NHS organisations
    • Education settings
    • Regional partnerships
  • Project Management qualifications such as:
    • PRINCE2
    • Agile
    • APM
    • MSP

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role is not simply delivering a project plan. It is bringing people together, overcoming barriers, creating momentum, and helping services achieve meaningful and lasting improvements.

You will be someone who can quickly gain the confidence of stakeholders, build positive relationships, and navigate complex environments with professionalism and empathy. Above all, you will understand that behind every project are children, young people, and families who benefit from better services and stronger partnerships.

Why Join Our Associate Network?

  • Flexible assignments that fit around your availability.
  • Opportunities ranging from one day per week to larger regional programmes.
  • Exciting projects across Education, SEND, Health, and Children's Social Care.
  • Fully remote and hybrid opportunities available.
  • The chance to influence and support meaningful change across the Southwest.
  • Ongoing opportunities with the potential for repeat assignments.

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.