Project Manager - Centre of Excellence

York is taking a bold step beyond the national Best Start in Life ambition - and we are looking for an exceptional project manager to help build something genuinely new for the city.


The Best Start in Life (BSIL) Centre of Excellence is a proposed researchpractice partnership and innovation hub that will bring together evidence, professional expertise and families lived experience to transform early years outcomes from conception to age five. While the national BSIL programme focuses on statutory targets at age five, Yorks ambition goes further: a long-term, citywide commitment to reducing inequalities, strengthening prevention and reshaping how partners work together in neighbourhoods.


During this 12-month development phase, you will lead the design of the Centre of Excellence model, establish multiagency governance and collaboration arrangements, and coordinate early testing in specific work. You will work closely with families and partners across health, education, early years, the voluntary sector and universities to codesign a model that integrates research, practice, training and targeted support into a single, coherent system.


You will take a leading role in the development of a shared outcomes and evaluation framework, support a small test-and-learn pilot, and produce a costed implementation plan that sets out how the Centre can be scaled and sustained from 2027 onwards. This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, builds strong relationships, and can translate strategic ambition into practical, evidence-informed delivery.


If you are motivated by reducing inequalities, driving innovation and shaping long-term system change, we would love to hear from you. This is a rare opportunity to help create a Centre of Excellence that will position York as a national leader in early years transformation.


The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.


This post is suitable as a job sharing position.


Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.


If you are an internal candidate interested in applying for this job as a secondment opportunity, please discuss with your current line manager before submitting your application.


City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.


As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.


Please note, we do not have a sponsorship licence to sponsor individuals for visas to work in the UK, therefore we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.


For further information or an informal discussion please contact Rob Newton (Strategic Lead for Best Start in Life) at View email address on energyjobsearch.com


Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026 at 12 midnight


Interview dates: 16 and 17 July 2026