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- Tasks: Lead education capital projects and ensure sufficient school places across the East Midlands.
- Company: Local authority focused on education and community development.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusive education planning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education provision and community impact.
- Qualifications: Degree level qualification and experience in project management.
We are currently supporting a local authority in the recruitment of an Education Capital and Place Planning Officer to support the delivery of statutory duties relating to education sufficiency, school place planning, and education capital projects across the East Midlands. This role will play a key part in ensuring sufficient education provision across the area through strategic place planning, capital programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and the development of new educational provision.
Reporting to the Head of Access and Sufficiency, the successful candidate will lead and coordinate education capital and school organisation functions within their locality, working closely with schools, contractors, developers, statutory bodies, and internal teams.
The Opportunity
- Support the Council’s statutory duty to secure sufficient school places across the East Midlands.
- Contribute to the commissioning and establishment of new education provision in partnership with statutory bodies and stakeholders.
- Lead and coordinate the delivery of education capital projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
- Support maintained schools with estate improvement programmes, including decarbonisation initiatives and implementation of the Department for Education’s Good Estate Management System (GEMS).
- Facilitate academy conversion processes for maintained schools.
Key Responsibilities
- Process funding agreements for education capital projects alongside legal teams.
- Provide project management support for new school builds and capital schemes.
- Prepare briefing notes and executive reports for strategic boards, senior leaders, and elected members.
- Undertake statutory school place planning responsibilities, working collaboratively with admissions teams, headteachers, planning officers, developers, and contractors.
- Monitor planning applications and secure Section 106 contributions to support education infrastructure.
- Manage external consultants and contractors, monitoring project progress, risks, deliverables, and compliance.
- Lead project consultation and communication strategies, including stakeholder engagement and statutory consultations.
- Respond to complex enquiries, including those from Members, MPs, and Freedom of Information requests.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, DfE guidance, and best practice relating to education capital delivery and school sufficiency.
- Support schools in developing Asset Management Plans and identifying funding opportunities linked to decarbonisation and estate improvements.
Requirements
- Degree level qualification or equivalent (e.g. NVQ Level 4 or HNC).
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Experience managing or contributing to commissioning, procurement, or tendering processes for capital projects.
- Knowledge of demographic analysis, school capacity planning, and the impact of housing developments on education provision.
- Understanding of DfE design guidance, Education Act 2011 responsibilities, and local authority statutory duties regarding school place sufficiency.
How to Apply
Please apply online or contact Abbie Carr at Spirehouse for a confidential discussion. Spirehouse Recruitment is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practise a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.
Education Planning Manager in Northampton employer: Spirehouse Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Spirehouse Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Planning Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those involved in capital projects. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your previous projects and successes in education planning. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to local authorities and schools directly to express your interest in potential roles. You never know what opportunities might be available!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job in education planning. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities tailored to your skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Planning Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Education Capital and Place Planning Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of ensuring sufficient education provision!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on any previous roles that involved project management, stakeholder engagement, or school place planning. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spirehouse Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the role. Understand the statutory duties related to education sufficiency and school place planning. Familiarise yourself with the latest DfE guidance and legislation, as this will show your commitment and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with managing capital projects. Prepare specific examples where you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget. Highlight any experience with stakeholder engagement and how you navigated complex situations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to work with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and consulted with different parties, including schools, contractors, and local authorities.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with thoughtful questions. Ask about the council's current challenges in education provision or how they measure success in their capital projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.