Chief Education Strategy & Resource Planning

Ealing Council; Southall; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ealing Council is seeking an experienced strategic leader to join the Children’s Services leadership team. This high-profile role will lead school place planning across mainstream and SEND, admissions, pupil support services, and school funding to ensure every child can thrive.

You will drive data-informed planning, financial sustainability, and capital investment, working with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, elected members, and regional partners to secure high-quality education for all

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within education, local government or a related public sector environment.
• Strong track record in school organisation, admissions, place planning or education strategy.
• Experience leading complex change programmes and influencing policy development.
• Expertise in data-driven planning, financial management and strategic decision-making.
• Strong political awareness, stakeholder management and partnership-building skills.
• Experience of working with schools, governors, elected members and senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and delivery of school organisation and place planning across mainstream and SEND provision.
• Oversee school admissions and fair access arrangements and pupil support services.
• Manage school funding, financial sustainability, and resource allocation.
• Lead Dedicated Schools Grant planning and Schools Forum activity.
• Drive education sufficiency, commissioning and capital investment programmes.
• Lead major change programmes arising from local priorities and national reforms.
• Collaborate with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, elected members and regional partners.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Education policy

Data-driven planning

Financial management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Inclusion and equity

Job description

Ealing Council is seeking an experienced strategic leader to join the Children’s Services leadership team. This high-profile role will lead school place planning across mainstream and SEND, admissions, pupil support services, and school funding to ensure every child can thrive.

You will drive data-informed planning, financial sustainability, and capital investment, working with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, elected members, and regional partners to secure high-quality education for all