SEND Senior Education Project Manager

Full Time, Fixed Term until 31st December 2027.

Bristol City Council is seeking an experienced Senior SEND Education Project Manager to support delivery of our ambitious SEND Sufficiency Programme, driving the creation of high‑quality provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

This is an important role requiring significant expertise in SEND systems, sufficiency planning, and place commissioning, alongside a strong track record of senior-level leadership within education and/or local authority environments. You will play a critical role in ensuring that SEND provision is effectively planned, developed, and delivered in line with statutory duties and local need.

You will lead on ensuring that all SEND capital and sufficiency projects are clearly defined, strategically aligned, and effectively implemented. This includes oversight of place planning, forecasting demand, shaping provision, supporting decant arrangements, and ensuring readiness for opening new or expanded SEND provision.

Working within Inclusion in the Education and Skills Directorate, the role acts as a senior strategic bridge between capital project delivery, schools, multi-academy trusts, governing bodies, the Department for Education, Children’s Services, and senior leaders. You will ensure that sufficiency developments are coherent, evidence-led, and deliver improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

A strong understanding of SEND policy, legislation, and sufficiency frameworks is essential, alongside the ability to apply this knowledge to complex, large-scale programmes.

Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills are critical, as you will serve as the principal point of contact for schools, MATs, and governing bodies on SEND sufficiency and capital project matters, ensuring clear, consistent messaging and strong partnership working across the system.

 
Join us to make a real difference for children and families across Bristol.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Claire.Goss@bristol.gov.uk 

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. 

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.