Schools Infrastructure Project Officer (Internal) in Ipswich

Suffolk County Council Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid

Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: Up to 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Fixed term or Secondment. Fixed term/Secondment is externally funded by the district and borough councils, expected to end two years after start date, subject to funding continuation.

This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Schools Infrastructure Project Officer in the Schools Infrastructure Team, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Your role and responsibilities:

• You’ll keep Local Plan work right at the heart of what you do, staying closely involved and making sure Local Planning Authority (LPA) queries are picked up and responded to quickly, clearly, and consistently.
• You’ll act as a friendly, dependable first point of contact for LPAs, helping with questions, offering guidance, and keeping communication open throughout the plan-making process.
• When new development sites come forward, you’ll take the time to look at them properly, using data and insight to give clear, practical advice on what education infrastructure will be needed.
• You’ll bring together strong evidence, like pupil forecasts, pupil yield data, and capacity modelling, to support well-informed and confident planning decisions.
• You’ll keep a close eye on key milestones and any emerging issues, so you always have a clear picture of progress and where support might be needed.
• You’ll be a consistent and visible presence in plan-making meetings, workshops, and stakeholder sessions, helping to build strong relationships and provide continuity for each LPA.

What you will need:

• Ideally you will have some experience of supporting strategic school place planning tasks in a previous role, but we are keen to hear from applicants who will have transferrable skills that can be applied to this role.
• We hope you’ll bring an enthusiasm and passion for supporting the education sector in Suffolk to have the accommodation needed to best support the school community.
• You will have a willingness to learn and be supported in that learning.
• We welcome applicants who can add fresh perspectives to the work we do.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team:

The Schools’ Infrastructure Team (SIT) oversees school place planning, education maintenance and capital projects, and manages a large capital and revenue budget. As a team we handle a wide variety of site-based enquiries daily ensuring no one day is the same. Monitoring birth rates and housing growth allows us to plan how many places may be needed in the future and commission projects accordingly and at the right time to meet demand. The team also plays a key role in securing developer contributions for education projects required due to the large housing growth across the county.

As a small team we meet regularly in person and on Teams to share our work and connect as a team. Team members are always offered a warm welcome and invited to join us in social activities, shared lunches, and there are regular opportunities to seek support for your work. Schools’ Infrastructure is a rewarding team that supports individual growth.

This role may include some infrequent travel to schools and sites across the county and therefore there is a need to be flexible. As a team we have a shared calendar for sharing when we intend to work in the office.

Empowering Everyone:

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information:

Please contact Sarah Finn (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265074 or emailing sarah.finn@suffolk.gov.uk.

If you wish to apply for a secondment, please read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply:

• Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word)
• Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
• Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page. We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process.

If you do not have direct school place planning experience, please tell us about relevant transferable skills and experience that would help you succeed in this role.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply, please contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 28 July 2026.

Interview date: 6 August 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.