Education Capital and Place Planning Officer

Venn Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Education Capital and Place Planning Officer to support a local authority's educational initiatives. This role involves project management of school capital projects, ensuring compliance with statutory duties, and liaising with multiple stakeholders. The position is full-time with a daily rate of £425, remote with occasional visits required in the East Midlands.

Qualifications

• Experience working with multiple partners to deliver projects.
• Understanding of demographic data, housing developments, and school capacity.
• Knowledge of DfE design guidance and statutory duties.

Responsibilities

• Plan and review school place demand and provision.
• Lead and coordinate delivery of school capital projects.
• Manage external consultants and project risks.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties and policies.
• Support schools with asset management and decarbonisation plans.

Skills

Strong project management skills

Excellent communication skills

Data analysis skills

Stakeholder engagement skills

Organisational skills

ICT skills

Flexibility

Education

Degree level or equivalent (e.g., NVQ 4, HNC)

Job description

Overview

New Interim Opportunity: Education Capital and Place Planning Officer

Location: Remote WFH with occasional visits around the East Midlands
Duration: Until End of Jan 2026
Hours: Full time – 37 hours
Rate: £425 per day umbrella (inside IR35)
Start date: ASAP

The postholder will support a local authority in meeting its statutory duty to secure sufficient education provision. This includes planning school place demand, contributing to new school places, supporting school conversions to academies, and delivering education capital projects. The role involves managing projects to improve the school estate, including decarbonisation initiatives and compliance with DfE guidance. The officer will liaise with internal teams, schools, developers, and contractors, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and review school place demand and provision (0–25 age range).
• Lead and co-ordinate delivery of school capital projects.
• Manage external consultants/contractors and project risks.
• Oversee Section 106 contributions and education infrastructure negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties, government policies, and DfE guidance.
• Support schools with asset management and decarbonisation plans.
• Manage stakeholder consultations and communications effectively.

Requirements

• Degree level (or equivalent, e.g. NVQ 4, HNC).
• Managing commissioning/procurement and capital projects.
• Understanding demographic data, housing developments, and school capacity.
• Knowledge of DfE design guidance, Education Act 2011, and statutory duties.
• Experience working with multiple partners to deliver projects.
• Strong project management, organisational, and ICT skills.
• Ability to analyse data, interpret cost plans, and manage budgets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Flexible, proactive, able to meet statutory deadlines.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings (e.g. meetings, consultations).

If you are interested in this role or have any questions, please apply and we will be in touch!