Projects and Contracts Manager 

How do we sum up Barnsley Council? Well, we’re a double award-winning, high-performing council with a growing economy, a thriving town centre and some truly impressive outcomes in our communities. 

This is why we’ve been awarded Council of the Year for 2023 by the Local 

Government Chronicle (LGC) and The Municipal Journal (MJ). 

Over the last 12 months we have managed the nationally recognised and independent Pathways to Work Commission, led by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn. The Commission has published its report, and we are now ready to move to the next phase. 

We’re impressed. Are you? It’s the perfect time to join our excellent team. 

Your role in our journey 

The Pathways to Work Commission has been working over the last 12 months, supported by a small team led by the Projects and Contracts Manager, together with 12 expert commissioners to answer the key question: How does Barnsley enable all of our working age population, particularly those currently outside the labour market, achieve pathways to employment?  

Chaired by The Right Honourable Alan Milburn, and with representation from the Mayor of South Yorkshire, and leaders of key think tanks: The Work Foundation, The Resolution Foundation and The Health Foundation, the Commission has drawn on insights from experts in the field to address the growing challenge of economic inactivity. The full report has now been launched with events in both Barnsley and Westminster. 

The next phase is about driving change. Building on best practice internationally and the findings of the Commission, a model for a local “proof of concept” has been developed. The ambition is that this will be scalable to other areas. 

As part of the Employment and Skills Service, you’ll be managing the programme of transformational work as a result of the recommendations of the Commission. Working closely with stakeholders, you will be helping to determine how Barnsley can best support people with multiple barriers to preparing for getting into and getting on in work. In this varied and exciting role, workstreams will include: 

As Project Manager you provide drive and energy to the next phase, alongside supporting stakeholders. Experience in employment and skills strategy and policy is essential. You will manage and mentor a Project Officer and allocate work where necessary. Your excellent project skills will enable you to support and challenge progress effectively, ensuring we deliver good quality, inclusive and collaborative projects on time. 

You will need to bring with you your leadership skills and experience, so that you can hit the ground running. In this role, your talent for communication and negotiation will be as important as your skills in organising and problem solving. You will need to prioritise your workload effectively, provide consistent and high-quality reporting and build and support effective relationships with senior managers, colleagues, and partners across the Borough and the wider region. 

Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent service, and taking pride in what we do. We want people with a ‘can do attitude’ and a positive outlook, someone that will work independently, be part of our small but growing team, with supportive and empowering ethics. 

Working for Barnsley Council:

For more information please visit:  Pathways to Work Projects and Contracts Manager (barnsley.gov.uk)

To find out more about joining our team at Barnsley Council and help with your application, visit barnsley.gov.uk/Jobs. 

Please email Tom Smith (tomsmith@barnsley.gov.uk), leaving your name and contact number if you would like further information or an informal discussion.

Proposed date of interviews will be Thursday 26th September