EYPP Test and Learn Project Manager

We are looking for an experienced and motivated leader to drive an innovative, high-profile Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) Test and Learn project, funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

This is a unique opportunity to lead a programme that will shape how EYPP funding is used locally and nationally. You will translate national policy into meaningful, practical delivery across Brighton & Hove, working with early years providers and partners to test what works best in improving outcomes for disadvantaged children.

Fixed term for one year from July 2026

Interviews to be held: 30th July

There is full information about the role below and attached but, if you would like an informal discussion, please contact Vicky Jenkins, Childcare Strategy Manager, email vicky.jenkins@brighton-hove.gov.uk

About the role

You will have full responsibility for designing, delivering, and evaluating the EYPP test and learn project, working in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), the DfE, and a wide range of local stakeholders.

About you:

You will be a confident and collaborative leader with:

• Strong project management experience, including planning, delivery, and evaluation
• In-depth knowledge of early years education and practice
• Experience working with or alongside early years providers (private, voluntary and independent, and schools)
• The ability to analyse data and use insights to drive improvement
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across sectors
• A track record of delivering complex projects and managing risk effectively

You will be committed to improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and dedicated to evidence-based practice.

The key tasks are to

• Lead the delivery of the EYPP Test and Learn project, ensuring it meets its objectives and achieves meaningful impact

• Develop and manage a detailed project plan, including timelines, risks, and mitigation strategies
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with early years providers, schools, health, and voluntary sector organisations
• Review and improve EYPP funding processes and promote increased take-up
• Support providers to test evidence-based approaches and improve practice
• Design and oversee monitoring and evaluation in line with DfE and EEF requirements
• Analyse project data and feedback to assess progress and refine delivery
• Produce reports and updates for senior leaders, the DfE, and the EEF
• Ensure full compliance with data protection, safeguarding, and governance requirements

You will have

• Strong knowledge of early years policy, funding, and practice
• Experience working with early years providers and schools to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children
• A proven track record of delivering projects or programmes in early years, education, or children's services
• Experience analysing data and using insights to drive improvement
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting
• Excellent written communication skills, including report writing for senior stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across a range of partners
• The ability to manage complex workloads independently and meet deadlines
• A clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities

Encouraging a diverse workforceOur city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).

Why work for us?As a council, we want to:
• be connected
• be confident
• be innovative and creative
• be diverse and inclusive
• be healthy and psychologically safe
For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us which gives details of our wellbeing support, our benefits including leave and pensions as well as details of our training and development.

How to apply Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you've submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to provide your education and career history and answer some application/shortlisting questions. Your answers to the application/shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

AI advice for candidates
We are interested in hearing about your experience and skills in your own words. While we value people who know how to use AI, we ask that you minimise using it in your application.

We are keen to hear how your experience and skills align to our values and the skills and experience needed to perform well in our roles with clear real examples from you. To support you in this, we have guidance on using the STAR model which can help you ensure you are telling us your whole story. We also provide clarity on the skills we are looking for in our adverts and in the job description/person specification attached to each job advert.

All the applications we receive are read by at least two hiring managers and we do not use AI in this process. Our experience of reading applications is that those that have heavily used AI contain generic paragraphs that are strikingly similar to other applicants' responses. This makes it extremely difficult to differentiate between applications, and doesn't give us enough evidence of your individual skills. There is a risk that we will therefore not be able to shortlist you. Instead, we recommend you ensure your application stands out by presenting clear examples of your actual skills and experiences in your own words.

Additional informationYour starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

DBS statement options:

1) remove both if DBS not required

2) for Basic DBS - keep only:

Please note that this post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Criminal Records Check.

3) for Standard or Enhanced DBS - keep only:

Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check.

We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.