At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects to open new schools and improve education for young people.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community dedicated to transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days of annual leave, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while working in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Project management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work with passionate professionals.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Homebased - Nationwide Travel is Essential to This Role
Salary: Up to £42,000 Per Annum Dependent Upon Experience
Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days' with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension Scheme, Life Insurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Leaving Care services, Residential, Education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff and believe in their futures.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for an experienced Project Manager who will play a key role within our Organic Growth team by driving our plans to develop new schools to provide outstanding education to our young people across our Community. We are looking for a motivated and skilled Project Manager - Education to help bring these new schools to life ensuring the new schools open on time, to budget and regulatory requirements are met. The post-holder will have excellent project management and inter-personal skills, highly-developed communication skills, experience in stakeholder management and budgets with a strong commitment to making a difference.
If you're passionate about delivering projects that genuinely make a difference-and you thrive in a fast-paced, people-focused environment-this could be the perfect next step in your career.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the identification of potential new sites proactively and efficiently.
- Managing the establishment of new schools from purchase through to opening.
- To support the production of, and subsequently monitor planning applications.
- Ensuring all construction and refurbishments are in accordance with the Building Safety Act.
- Ensuring projects are managed to agreed timeframes and budgets.
- Build and establish a suitable contractor base ensuring project downtime is minimised and well resourced.
- Assess and procure all required works for new buildings with all relevant Health and Safety regulations, Building Safety Act and Independent Schools Standards.
- Work closely with education specialists, ensuring all regulatory compliance (Ofsted, LA etc) is in place to ensure schools open within scheduled timescales.
- To work alongside our Estates Team to develop site maintenance schedules.
- Working with our Commercial team to build relationships with LA commissioning teams to develop understanding of demand for schools and agree key commercial terms.
- To work closely with our central functions to ensure resource is in place and Marketing are informed of timings.
- Develop and maintain project plans and reporting documentation as necessary to ensure timely communication and successful delivery of assigned projects.
About You
- Post-Project Management qualification experience (all levels of post qualification experience will be considered).
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of RICS requirements and all relevant legislation.
- Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills.
- Ability to think strategically, creatively and under pressure.
- Highly organised with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Confident working independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience in managing and delivering to budgets.
- Possess a full valid driving licence.
For more information about this exciting new role, please call Loren Cahill - Head of New Organic Growth on 0776 608 1721.
Polaris is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and thorough referencing prior to appointment.
Project Manager - Education in Droitwich employer: Polaris Community
Contact Detail:
Polaris Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Education in Droitwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Project Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Polaris and their community impact. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about making a difference in children's lives. Tailor your answers to reflect our values and mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your project management skills in mock interviews. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios, so be ready to discuss your past projects, challenges faced, and how you kept everything on track and within budget.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Education in Droitwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role in education. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match what we're looking for, like project management and stakeholder engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about making a difference in education. Share specific examples of past projects you've managed and how they align with our mission at Polaris.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires excellent communication, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well to demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Know Your Project Management Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your project management qualifications and experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on how you met deadlines and budgets while ensuring compliance with regulations.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, prepare examples that highlight your communication and interpersonal skills. Think about times when you successfully influenced others or resolved conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. This will show your potential employer that you can think strategically and creatively under pressure.
✨Research Polaris and Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Polaris and their mission to improve the lives of young people. Understanding their values will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for, showing that you're genuinely passionate about making a difference.