Job Title: WELL - Project Manager

Salary: £45,091 to £46,142

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Workington

Contract: Temporary until 31st August 2027

About this opportunity

The grant funded Western Excellence in Learning and Leadership (WELL) Project supports, develops and challenges leaders to deliver excellence so that all children and young people in the former Allerdale and Copeland districts have every opportunity to succeed and make a positive contribution.

The Project has been running successfully since 2019 and is a partnership between partnership with schools, Cumberland Council and Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

More details of its work can be found here: WELL Education | Western Excellence in Learning & Leadership | WELL project Cumbria

This is a high-profile role and requires strong communication skills, the ability to build effective working relationships with all partners to play a key role in supporting the Project Director in leading and further developing the project.

The post requires direct work with participating schools and a range of local partners, to develop and adapt allocated WELL elements, and to support delivery model developments, that ensure relevant ambitions and Key Performance measures for those elements are met.

The post holder will contribute to the development of a strategic plan for agreed project elements, take a delivery and solution focussed lead role to manage all the delegated
individual elements within the plan and promote the benefits of the project elements to sustain and grow service user commitment.

This role is available on a fixed-term basis.

Why join us?

• Relocation package available - We know moving for a role is a big decision, so we're here to make it easier. Support is available to help you settle into your new home and community.
• A lifestyle you won't find elsewhere - Living and working in Cumbria offers the best of both worlds. You'll have a fulfilling and rewarding career while being surrounded by stunning landscapes, from the world-famous Lake District National Park to unspoilt coastlines and vibrant market towns. Whether you enjoy hiking, water sports, cycling, or simply relaxing in a picturesque setting, Cumbria provides an outstanding quality of life.
• Supportive environment - You'll be part of a team that values collaboration, compassion, and innovation. We focus on potential over perfection, giving you opportunities to develop your skills and grow your career.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We're also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Sue Lowndes by email at sue.lowndes@cumberland.gov.uk

DBS Checks

This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is:

Enhanced DBS check with a Children's Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.

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 Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk . While adjustments aren't always guaranteed, we'll always listen and we'll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: 10/02/2026
• Interview date: TBC

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.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council