Project Manager - Education

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 x2, 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. The post‑holder will have excellent project management and interpersonal 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 resources are 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 Requirements:

• 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.

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.