At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure every child in Gloucestershire has the right school places through data analysis and planning.
- Company: Gloucestershire County Council, dedicated to providing quality education for all children.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, career development, and supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; join a team that values your contributions and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's education while developing your analytical and project management skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, experience with data, and ability to communicate insights effectively.
The predicted salary is between 25185 - 28000 £ per year.
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
Are you passionate about ensuring Gloucestershire has the right school places in the right locations for every child? If so, the role of Place Planning Officer could be the ideal next step for you.
About the team and the role
Our team delivers an essential service within the Council’s Education Department by making sure education data is accurate, up to date and reliable. This information supports school place planning and the management of education buildings across the county. Each year, our work helps thousands of children and young people access a good, inclusive education, and the Place Planning Officer plays a key role in meeting the Council’s legal responsibilities.
In this role, you will look after the Council’s main school capacity and place‑planning data. You will track changes in population and housing developments and produce pupil forecasts to support future planning. You’ll analyse data and share clear, easy‑to‑understand updates with senior managers, councillors and partner organisations to help them understand pressures, risks and options. You will also lead the annual school capacity return to central government to secure Basic Need funding, respond to Freedom of Information requests, support policy development, and work with colleagues and partners across education to help deliver good value for money and positive outcomes.
About you
We’re looking for a confident, analytical professional who enjoys working with complex information and turning it into clear, compelling insight that supports effective decision‑making. You’ll have experience analysing, managing and presenting detailed datasets for a wide range of audiences, alongside strong forecasting skills and the ability to assess impact and risk. With excellent report‑writing skills and close attention to detail, you’ll be comfortable managing competing priorities while maintaining high standards. Confident in building effective relationships with schools, academies, local authorities, government bodies and other key partners, and will have experience contributing to or leading projects, including those that may be sensitive or politically complex. Strong IT skills, an understanding of statutory processes within education, and the resilience, political awareness and motivation to operate successfully in a busy, fast‑paced environment are essential. A full UK driving licence is required, and occasional work outside normal hours may be necessary.
About us
Hybrid working arrangements are available for many of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office-based working. Joining us could mean access to these great benefits:
- Flexible and agile working opportunities.
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years of continuous service.
- An option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part‑time staff).
- Family friendly employer offering benefits to help support you and your family.
- Career development and qualification opportunities.
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
- An in‑house Occupational Health service.
- Cycle to Work scheme (Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply).
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply).
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network.
Short‑listed candidates will be contacted by e‑mail and invited to interview week commencing Monday 13 July 2026. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July 2026.
Additional Information
The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months' employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer. It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Place Planning Officer employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive work environment where employees can thrive. With flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on career development, the role of Place Planning Officer provides a meaningful opportunity to impact the education landscape in Gloucestershire. Employees benefit from access to comprehensive support services, including an Employee Assistance Programme and various employee networks, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
