Project Manager - Education
Location: Homebased - Nationwide. Travel is essential to this role.
Salary: Up to £42,000 per annum dependent upon experience.
Benefits: 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days’ with length of service) plus bank holidays, company pension scheme, life insurance (x2), employee discount scheme.
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK’s largest communities of children’s service providers. Within our community we have independent fostering and adoption agencies, Leaving Care services, residential, education and bespoke children’s services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the best outcomes for each child in our care. We are ambitious for children, families and staff and believe in their futures.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to play a key role in our Organic Growth team by driving plans to develop new schools to provide outstanding education to our young people across our Community. The post-holder will help bring new schools to life, ensuring they open on time, to budget and meet regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the identification of potential new sites efficiently.
* Manage the establishment of new schools from purchase through to opening.
* Support the production and monitoring of planning applications.
* Ensure all construction and refurbishments comply with the Building Safety Act.
* Manage projects to agreed timeframes and budgets.
* Build and maintain a contractor base, minimising project downtime.
* Assess and procure all required works for new buildings under relevant health and safety regulations, Building Safety Act and Independent Schools Standards.
* Work closely with education specialists to ensure regulatory compliance (Ofsted, local authorities, etc.) and that schools open on schedule.
* Collaborate with the Estates Team to develop site maintenance schedules.
* Work with the Commercial team to build relationships with local authority commissioning teams and agree key commercial terms.
* Coordinate with central functions to ensure resources are in place and marketing is informed of timings.
* Develop and maintain project plans and reporting documentation to ensure timely communication and successful delivery.
About You
* Post-Project Management qualification experience (all levels considered).
* Up-to-date knowledge of RICS requirements and relevant legislation.
* Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills.
* Strategic, creative thinking ability and composure under pressure.
* Highly organised with strong problem‑solving abilities.
* Confident working independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
* Experience managing and delivering to budgets.
* Full, valid driving licence.
For more information about this exciting new role, please call Loren Cahill – Head of New Organic Growth.
Polaris is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and thorough referencing prior to appointment.
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