Job Title: Project Manager - Transformation (Neurodiversity Programme)

Location: Carlisle or Workington

Salary: £45,091 to £46,124

Hours: 37 Hours

Contract: Temporary (10 Months)

About this opportunity

We are seeking to recruit an experienced, innovative, and adaptable Project Manager to lead and continue the development and delivery of an exciting pilot programme focused on providing early intervention support to children and young people with neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing needs.

This pilot service-Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing (Children and Families)-is being developed through a collaborative partnership between Cumberland Council, local NHS organisations (including the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board), and SEND Alliance Cumbria (SENDAC).

Operationally, the pilot sits within Cumberland Council's Integrated Front Door (Children), with outreach delivered through Family Hubs and other education and community settings. The service will offer a single, integrated, trauma-informed approach to neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing, supporting children, young people, and families to understand and manage a wide range of experiences and thinking styles as part of everyday life. Where needed, specialist support will be available.

The Project Manager will be responsible for defining, developing, and delivering large-scale projects which are complex and/or have a high level of risk attached. Working closely with the Service Lead, you will provide strategic support and stakeholder management for the pilot programme, including the coordination and development of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).

This role demands exceptional project management, service development, and leadership skills to ensure robust governance structures, systems, and processes are in place-aligned with CQC and OFSTED standards.

We are deeply committed to co-production. Children, young people, and their families will be at the heart of this service. The successful candidate will champion co-production and work closely with parent/carer forums, young people, and community partners to co-design and co-develop the service.

Why Get Involved?

• Make a real difference:Your ideas and expertise can directly impact how we support children and families.
• Develop your skills:Leading reform projects will help you grow professionally and build new capabilities.
• Collaborate across teams:Work with colleagues, partners, and communities to create meaningful change.
• Shape the future:Be at the forefront of pioneering approaches that improve outcomes and service efficiency.

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 Hani Milburn-Cox by email at Hani.Milburn-Cox@cumberland.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicantsas 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
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

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.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: 4th November 2025
• Interview date:18th November 2025
• Potential Start Date: 1st December 2025

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