Principal Education Property Development Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Normanton on Trent; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holidays, +3

Flexible and hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life assurance of three times annual薪

On-site day nursery (Ofsted rated)

Season ticket loan for rail or bus

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Modern Civic Offices Reading

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a Principal in the Education Property Development function to lead capital projects across the borough's schools. You will oversee projects from feasibility to completion, coordinating consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary teams, and working with headteachers and academy trusts.

The role involves hybrid working with regular site visits, delivering projects from refurbishments to new developments, and ensuring compliance with financial, legal and risk

Qualifications

• Relevant degree and professional PM qualification required.
• Experience leading education capital projects across RIBA stages.
• Proven ability to manage diverse stakeholders and teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage education capital build projects on site from feasibility to completion.
• Lead multiple capital projects to time and budget.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams of architects, engineers and contractors.
• Collaborate with headteachers, academy trusts, governors and senior stakeholders.
• Oversee procurement, planning applications and consultant appointments.
• Conduct feasibility studies and support estate planning.
• Provide technical building advice and asset management for schools.
• Prepare reports and briefings for managers and committees.
• Ensure compliance with financial, legal and risk management procedures.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Organisation & prioritisation

Collaboration & continuous improvement

Education

Relevant degree

Professional or technical PM qualification

Job description

This Principal post sits in the education property development function of Reading Borough Council and leads capital projects across the borough's schools. The work covers building projects from feasibility through to completion, with the post-holder managing consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary teams while working with headteachers and academy trusts. Projects range from small refurbishments to developments above £5 million, many tied to pupil place deadlines, with hybrid working alongside site visits. Applicants need a relevant degree and a professional construction or project management qualification.

What the job involves

• Managing education capital build projects on site from feasibility to completion
• Leading and managing multiple capital projects at once, to time and budget
• Leading multidisciplinary project teams of architects, engineers and contractors
• Working with headteachers, academy trusts, governors and senior stakeholders
• Managing procurement, planning applications and consultant appointments
• Carrying out feasibility studies and supporting strategic education estate planning
• Providing technical building advice and asset management support to schools
• Preparing reports and briefings for senior managers and council committees
• Ensuring compliance with financial, legal and risk management procedures

What’s required

Qualifications

• Relevant degree
• Professional or technical construction or project management qualification

Experience

• Managing capital projects and programmes across RIBA Stages of Work
• Leading multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams
• Delivering construction or property projects in an education or public sector environment

Skills & knowledge

• Strong understanding of education capital projects and relevant legislation
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strong organisation, managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement

Nice to have

• Experience working in local government or education settings

What’s offered

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 30 after 5 years and 33 after 10 years, with the option to buy extra leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary (LGPS members)
• On-site day nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season ticket loan for rail or bus travel to work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme with insurance, servicing and road tax included
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in Reading