At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning team to ensure enough school places across Essex.
- Company: Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for career development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education planning for future generations.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in planning or data analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 70531 - 70531 £ per year.
The School Place Planning Manager will lead and develop the Council's school place planning team as it fulfils its critical role in planning for school place sufficiency across Essex. You will be responsible for ensuring high quality data and forecasts are available to the School Organisation & Place Planning service as well as updating a suite of publicly available documents that are central to quantifying and communicating anticipated demand for school places. This includes statutory returns to the Department for Education which underpin our forecasts and capital grants.
You will have responsibility for developing and defining education infrastructure requirements, including land and developer contributions required to support new housing across Essex in a sustainable way, ensuring the Council is able to meet its statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places.
- Lead on defining mainstream education infrastructure requirements across the county, to influence and support planning and investment decisions, supporting corporate aims.
- Act as the Service's member on appropriate boards and groups pertaining to the delivery of education infrastructure in response to housing growth.
- Responsible for judging the impact of new housing plans on mainstream schools and, in partnership with the relevant planning authority and colleagues, securing appropriate land for new schools and financial contributions from developers (s106 agreements).
- Support other education functions in this work, particularly SEND ensuring that education requirements are strategic and aligned.
- Review the use of s106 monies within the Schools' Capital Programme to ensure the efficient use of financial resources in line with the legal obligations on ECC.
- Build collaborative working relationships with the Education service, housing authorities and government departments, to provide expert advice with respect to education infrastructure requirements, pupil place planning and Local Plans.
- Deliver detailed evidence as an expert witness on education policy and practice issues at Public Inquiries, Examinations in Public and other formal hearings.
- Liaise with planning colleagues, solicitors and Counsel.
- Responsible for scoping, developing, commissioning, processing and management of key intelligence, data and forecasts to ensure the provision of a robust evidence base for school organisation and place planning decisions, and to inform strategic decisions across a range of education services.
- Responsible for developing and managing the statutory Department for Education school capacity (SCAP) return cycle which informs the annual grant of 'Basic Need' capital funding to ECC.
- Manage the School Place Planning Team to deliver complex data products using Geographical Information Systems; Relational Databases and other analysis tools.
Organisational Accountabilities include operational planning and performance review to maintain exceptional service delivery and ensure the political objectives and priorities of the council are met. Working collaboratively across the council and thinking commercially, to support the delivery of best possible outcomes for our customers on a financially sustainable basis. Maintaining and nurturing collaborative relationships for the function with external organisations, that support the delivery of annual plans. Implementing changes and continually evaluating service to improve the area of work, while maintaining the highest possible levels of service quality. Managing complex issues and resources to meet the needs of customers and deliver the best possible outcomes. Effective utilisation of digital technologies and innovation across the function. Using professional expertise to translate goals and plans into ways of working that comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements and manage a level of appropriate risk. Deliver exemplar customer interactions to individuals and communities which support strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues.
The Experience You Will Bring includes being educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor's degree) or equivalent experience in planning or statistical analysis. Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area. Significant experience of forecasting, infrastructure planning and data analysis within the public sector, making comparisons against other local authorities and effective interpretation and evaluation. Understanding of District Council Local Plans and housing trajectories to inform responses to consultations in relation to educational requirements. Knowledge and understanding of school accommodation to inform net capacity information and site analysis for education requirements. A knowledge and understanding of education provision, admissions legislation and school organisation. Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure a quality service is provided. Understanding of systems analysis techniques and analytical tools used in forecasting and data management.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
School Place Planning Manager, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic public service environment that prioritises innovation and flexibility. With a commitment to employee growth, including support for unpaid carers and a focus on maintaining a positive workplace culture, the Council provides numerous benefits and opportunities for professional development. Working in Chelmsford, you will play a vital role in shaping educational infrastructure while contributing to the well-being of 1.8 million residents across Essex.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Place Planning Manager, Chelmsford
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We think you need these skills to ace School Place Planning Manager, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Essex County Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Essex County Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Essex County Council.
