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- Tasks: Plan and deliver high-quality school places in a growing community.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to education and community development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's education while shaping the future of local schools.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification or relevant experience in project management within education.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to enhancing educational infrastructure.
The predicted salary is between 49221 - 53826 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Salary: £49,221 to £53,826 (pro rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 28th April 2026
About the Role
We are looking for 2 exceptional individuals to help Leicestershire to deliver our statutory responsibilities in ensuring all children can access a high-quality local school place following the retirement of the current post holder. Leicestershire is in a period of significant growth with thousands of new homes being built and 33 new schools planned. This is a varied role and the successful candidate will carry out a range of functions relating to school organisation, capital projects and pupil place planning.
As School Place Planning Officer, you will be responsible for an area of the County and work with partners to ensure that the education infrastructure can meet the demand for school places and where additional places are required, those places are delivered in the right place and at the right time. This role would suit someone looking to develop their career working across the organisation and with external partners at a more strategic level. You will be actively involved in defining the strategic brief for new projects, managing the new school presumption process, engaging with our delivery partners and key stakeholders from inception through to completion to ensure all projects are delivered on time and are aligned with the communities they serve.
The successful candidates will work in a small team helping to ensure that there are sufficient high quality school places in Leicestershire by delivering an ambitious Children and Families Capital Programme across all phases of Education. The work is interesting and varied and involves working closely with Schools and Academies.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- Be qualified to degree level in a related subject, or have demonstrable experience as identified below.
- Experience of successfully planning, managing and delivering projects and/or programmes within timescales, budget and quality and be able to demonstrate experience of relating this to an educational setting, and experience of working in an educational environment.
- Experience of working in an educational environment, experience of supporting the delivery of complex programmes and projects, and experience of school re-organisation programmes.
- Experience of working with housing developers and contractors to develop new schools, experience of leading in dedicated project workstreams, and experience of developing, establishing and maintaining electronic knowledge and information tracking systems.
- Experience of influencing the actions and decisions of others through effective advice and guidance, experience operating systems and procedures for quality assurance, and experience working within multidisciplinary teams in the public sector.
- Knowledge of school organisation legislation and regulations, Section 106 procedures and the factors that determine developer contributions, the academies agenda and choices available to schools, and knowledge of factors influencing the provision of school places, for example demographic planning.
- Knowledge of strategies and available actions to bring about structural change to address school underperformance, an understanding of County Council policies and procedures relative to the above, and knowledge of Quality Assurance and Change Management.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:
Ian Sharpe - Service Manager, School Organisation
Telephone: 0116 305 9836
Email: Ian.Sharpe@leics.gov.uk
School Place Planning Officer employer: Leicestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Leicestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Place Planning Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those involved in school planning or local councils. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for education! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your ideas on improving school places and how you can contribute to their goals. It’s all about making a memorable impression!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Leicestershire County Council's recent projects and challenges. Being informed will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace School Place Planning Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of School Place Planning Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on your project management skills and any work you've done in educational settings. We want to see how you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge: Don’t forget to mention your understanding of school organisation legislation and the factors influencing school place provision. This shows us that you're not just qualified, but also knowledgeable about the field.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicestershire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on school organisation legislation and the factors influencing school place provision. Familiarise yourself with Leicestershire County Council's policies and procedures, as well as the current educational landscape in the area. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the context in which you'll be working.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in project management and how it relates to an educational setting. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget, especially those involving school re-organisation or working with housing developers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your ability to work with various stakeholders, including schools, academies, and external partners. Think of examples where you've influenced decisions or provided effective guidance. This is crucial for a role that involves collaboration and strategic planning.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Leicestershire County Council values inclusivity and accessibility. Be prepared to discuss how you align with these values and how you've contributed to creating inclusive services in your past roles. This will demonstrate that you're a good cultural fit for the team.