Project Manager, Early Years System Change (Manchester)

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together we're helping people change their stories. You could join us as a Project Manager within our Early Years team.

What you'll be doing

We know that a child's earliest years are crucial to their development and life chances. That's why one of our key strategic priorities is the development of early language and communications skills, to ensure that children are ready to grow and learn at school.

This new role will lead a place-based, ward-level approach to improving early language and literacy in the Gorton and Abbey Hey areas of Manchester. As part of our national Early Words Matter campaign, and working closely with local stakeholders, you will drive data-informed systems change. You will engage the local community and ensure children benefit from high quality, joined-up support. Your focus will be on building a model that strengthens communities, achieves long-term sustainability, and delivers systemic improvements in early childhood development.

You will also oversee effective evaluation of local provision, using insights from the programme to influence policy and best practices across England.

This is a home working role, but you will need to be based in or near Manchester City, within easy reach of the Gorton / Abbey Hey area. A driving licence / access to your own vehicle is essential, due to the nature of local project delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a project manager with in-depth knowledge of early childhood development and a passion for social and systems-level change.

You will need proven experience of building and maintaining networks with a wide range of stakeholders (including public sector organisations who support families with young children), and the ability to collaborate effectively and nurture differing views. Excellent project management and communication skills are essential, naturally, as well as experience of change management. Experience of volunteer management would be an advantage.

£33,500 per year pro rata (0.8 FTE) / £26,800 per year
Part-time, 28 hours per week
Permanent contract
Based in Manchester as a home working role, It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It's the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It's better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it's harder to get where you want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words - reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

- We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
- We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
- We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
- We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders' institutions to build their literacy skills

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.