Project Manager, School Libraries

Project Manager, School Libraries

Closing date : 10am, Monday 18 May 2026

Salary : £30,500 per year

Contract : Fixed-term contract until August 2029

Hours : Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location : Based in the South West as a home working role

Interviews : Online, Monday 1 June 2026

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. You could join us as we work to ensure every primary school in the UK has a dedicated library space, leading delivery across the South West of England.

What you’ll be doing

The government has committed to ensuring a library in every primary school in England by the end of this Parliament - a step that supports the National Year of Reading 2026's aims to tackle the nation's steep decline in reading for pleasure. The National Literacy Trust will work with DCMS and the National Lottery Community Fund to design the programme of delivery in England, whilst also continuing its mission to ensure every primary school in the whole of the UK has a dedicated library space to help create a strong reading for pleasure culture for its pupils. This role will support the National Literacy Trust in delivering this work. You will manage all aspects of project delivery in targeted locations across the South West of England, including the recruitment of schools, delivering training and evaluation, and creating high-quality resources linked to the school curriculum. You will be based in our school libraries team, and work closely with our communications, membership and local areas teams, as well as a range of external partners, including schools, publishers, authors and funders. This role is based in the South West of England and will involve regular travel around the area. There will also be some national travel – for our organisational away days, which take place in London three times per year, as well as approximately three team days per year. All travel expenses will be covered.

What we’re looking for

You will need excellent project management skills, and experience of event planning and delivery, and working with schools and/or young people. Knowledge of the education system and primary school curriculum will be essential. You will also need excellent communication skills, as well as being an adaptable and flexible team player, able to work independently and problem solve when necessary. Due to the nature of the role, you will need a driving license and access to your own vehicle. This role is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything. It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go. The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

• We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
• We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
• We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
• We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission, and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are. As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset, and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

For more information and to apply, download the files via the apply button. Please also complete our online equal opportunities monitoring form when you submit your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond individually to applications, so if you have not heard from us by the advertised interview date, this means we have not been able to shortlist your application this time. Please note we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites.