4 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• A high-level interim opportunity for an experienced Education Capital and Place Planning Officer to lead on school organisation, place planning, and education capital delivery across a defined local area.
• The role ensures statutory duties to secure sufficient educational provision (ages 0–25) are met through effective planning, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.
• The successful candidate will contribute to the design and implementation of capital infrastructure projects, facilitate academy conversions, and support long-term estate improvement and decarbonisation strategies.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Deliver statutory school place planning across a defined locality, identifying current and future demand.
• Work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders, including admissions, planning, headteachers, and developers.
• Monitor housing developments and secure Section 106 contributions to support new or expanded education provision.
• Lead and manage individual education capital projects from inception to completion, ensuring they meet key milestones around quality, budget, risk, and timeline.
• Manage external consultants and contractors, including tracking contractual deliverables.
• Lead communication and consultation strategies related to school projects, including statutory consultations and public engagement.
• Monitor the implementation of DfE guidance, policy changes, and building regulations relevant to educational estate and place planning.
• Develop and implement school Asset Management Plans and Heat Decarbonisation Plans to support sustainable estate development.
• Coordinate and submit detailed project reporting, including updates for strategic boards and internal performance monitoring.
• Respond to complex or sensitive enquiries, including those from elected members, parents, and MPs.
Skills/Experience:
• Substantial experience in school organisation, education place planning, or capital delivery.
• Knowledge of the Education Act 2011, DfE Design Guidance, and local authority responsibilities around school place sufficiency.
• Understanding of demographic data analysis, housing development impact, and pupil forecasting.
• Experience in project commissioning, procurement, and contractor/consultant management.
• Strong ability to interpret cost plans, school capacity data, and capital programme budgets.
• Skilled in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders including headteachers, governors, and regulatory bodies.
• Experienced in engaging with consultation processes and leading public-facing events.
• Proficient IT skills and experience using project tracking/reporting tools.
• Understanding of sustainability and decarbonisation priorities within educational estates.
• Able to manage complex workloads to statutory deadlines and programme timelines.
Additional Information:
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualification such as HNC/NVQ Level 4).
• Working Hours: 37 per week (Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:30).