Pupil Place Planning Manager - Ref: CH07326

WMJobs; Walsall; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Pupil Place Planning Manager to lead strategic planning and delivery of sufficient school places across the borough. You will analyse data, forecast pupil numbers, and oversee school organisation and sufficiency planning.

The role requires strong knowledge of education legislation, excellent communication, and leadership to work with schools, elected members, and partners. DBS/overseas checks may apply, and you will manage staff and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Experience with education legislation, school organisation, admissions and sufficiency planning.
• Experience using data to inform strategic decisions.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to build relationships and influence across audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and delivery of sufficient school places across the borough.
• Analyse data, prepare pupil forecasts and oversee school organisation.
• Manage staff, lead consultations and support capital projects within budget and statutory requirements.
• Provide expert advice to schools, senior leaders and elected members.

Skills

Education legislation

School planning

Admissions & sufficiency planning

Data-driven decisions

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Job description

Walsall Council, Pupil Place Planning Manager - Ref: CH07326

Salary: G11 £53,051 - £56,293 per annum.

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced and confident Pupil Place Planning Manager to lead the strategic planning and delivery of sufficient school places across the borough. This is a key role within the Access service, supporting the Council’s statutory responsibilities for early years, primary, secondary, post-16 and specialist provision.

The postholder will provide specialist advice, analyse and interpret complex data, prepare pupil forecasts, lead school organisation and sufficiency planning, and work closely with schools, senior leaders, elected members, the DfE and other partners. The role also includes managing staff, leading consultations, supporting capital projects, and ensuring services are delivered effectively, within budget and in line with statutory requirements.

We are looking for someone with strong knowledge of education legislation, school organisation, admissions and sufficiency planning, alongside proven experience of using data to inform strategic decisions. You will be an effective communicator and leader, able to build productive relationships, manage competing priorities, resolve complex issues and present clear advice to a range of audiences.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and solution-focused professional to play a leading role in shaping education provision across Walsall and ensuring children and young people have access to the right school places, in the right locations, at the right time.

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.

Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.

Closing date: Sunday 4th October 2026