At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ambitious infrastructure projects that enhance learning environments for thousands of students.
- Company: Join Leigh Academies Trust, a progressive multi-academy trust focused on world-class education.
- Benefits: Be part of a high-energy team with a tangible impact on student success.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education through innovative infrastructure and strategic project management.
- Qualifications: Expertise in construction regulations, budget management, and stakeholder engagement required.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a dynamic educational environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Leading the Evolution of Primary and Secondary Learning Environments. Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is one of the UK's most progressive multi-academy trusts. We believe that world-class education is only possible when supported by world-class infrastructure. Our pace of delivery is industry-leading: during the 2025 summer break alone, our team successfully completed dozens of projects with a total capital investment of over £10 million.
You will be the strategic driver behind our most ambitious developments. You will lead a high-performing project team to deliver physical and digital spaces that directly enhance the learning journey for thousands of primary and secondary pupils.
The Portfolio: Strategic Growth & Essential Renewal. This role offers a sophisticated balance between high-profile new builds and the critical asset management of our existing estate. You will manage a diverse portfolio that ensures every academy - regardless of age or location - meets the highest standards.
- High-Value Capital Developments
- Leigh Academy Birchwood: Serve as the client representative for a £20m DfE-led brand-new “all-through” SEN academy.
- Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy: Lead a £7m KCC-sponsored new build expansion to support secondary growth.
- Expansion & Specialist Provision: Manage multi-million-pound projects including a £2.6m extension at Leigh Academy Rainham and a £500k nursery extension at Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard.
- Strategic Asset Management (SCA)
- Large-scale roof replacements and structural fabric renewals.
- Major heating and mechanical overhauls aimed at improving energy efficiency.
- Comprehensive welfare and classroom upgrades to modernize the primary and secondary estate.
Digital & IT Infrastructure
In partnership with the Head of IT Programmes, you will spearhead a £2 million IT renewal programme. This ensures our digital backbone – from 1:1 primary Chromebook initiatives to Windows 11 secondary migrations – remains modern, secure, and fully integrated with our physical infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Execution: Formulate and deliver capital and SCA projects that align with the Trust’s vision of “Education for a Better World.”
- Financial Oversight: Manage complex project budgets, ensuring robust forecasting and demonstrable value for money.
- Risk & Compliance: Serve as the specialist lead for CDM regulations, procurement standards (Public Contracts Regulations), and Health & Safety across all construction activities.
- Leadership: Provide decisive management to the Infrastructure Project Team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence.
About You
- Expert Knowledge: A deep understanding of statutory regulations, planning permissions, and building control.
- Budgetary control: Experience in managing programme and project budgets with experience of public-sector funding an advantage.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The ability to communicate complex project risks and timelines effectively to senior Trust leaders and external partners (DfE, & local government).
- Professionalism: Ideally, you will be accredited by CIOB, RICS, or CABE (or be working toward this).
Why Leigh Academies Trust?
This is a rare opportunity to join a Trust that treats infrastructure as a cornerstone of educational success. You will work within a high-energy leadership team where your expertise in construction and project management will have a tangible, daily impact on the lives of students.
Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects) in England employer: LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Contact Detail:
LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education and infrastructure sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your past projects and achievements. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this to demonstrate how you can lead high-value capital developments and manage complex budgets effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to Leigh Academies Trust and express your interest in the Deputy Director of Infrastructure role. A personal touch can make all the difference and show your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow news related to educational infrastructure and digital advancements. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely invested in enhancing learning environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Deputy Director of Infrastructure role. Highlight your experience with high-value capital developments and strategic asset management, as these are key areas for us.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you’ve led teams in the past. Share examples of how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence, especially in project management settings.
Demonstrate Financial Acumen: Since managing complex project budgets is crucial, include details about your experience with financial oversight. Show us how you've ensured value for money in previous projects, particularly in the public sector.
Engage with Stakeholders: Effective communication is key! Illustrate how you've engaged with senior leaders and external partners in your past roles. This will help us understand your ability to navigate complex project risks and timelines.
How to prepare for a job interview at LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific projects mentioned in the job description. Understand the scope, budget, and impact of each project, especially the high-value capital developments. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also your readiness to take on the role.
✨Master the Financials
Brush up on your financial management skills, particularly around budgeting and forecasting. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed complex project budgets in the past, and think of examples where you ensured value for money. This is crucial for demonstrating your capability in financial oversight.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your experience in stakeholder engagement. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively communicated complex project risks and timelines to senior leaders or external partners. This will highlight your ability to navigate the intricate relationships that come with managing large-scale projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Deputy Director, your leadership approach is key. Reflect on your management style and be ready to discuss how you foster a culture of continuous improvement within your teams. Share specific instances where your leadership made a difference in project outcomes or team dynamics.