Schools Infrastructure Project Officer

Suffolk County Council - Schools Infrastructure Project Officer

• Location: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary: £39,513 - £45,595 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Type: Permanent

We are passionate about improving the future for our schools, children, young people, communities, and the environment. Join us as a Schools Infrastructure Project Officer and make a significant impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue evolving and improving. Our support and opportunities will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• Be responsible for commissioning and overseeing educational projects such as school expansions, new nurseries, SEN places, and new schools. Daily activities may include site visits and project meetings.
• Work within a supportive team, drawing on your experience to ensure delivery of affordable, high-quality learning environments. Take pride in seeing new schools open, knowing you contributed to their inception.
• Use your communication skills to liaise with school leaders, politicians, community members, design consultants, and project managers to deliver projects.
• Oversee projects to ensure compliance with DfE building bulletins and the EYFS statutory Framework.
• Monitor budgets to ensure projects are delivered within financial plans.
• Collaborate with the Schools' Infrastructure Team, sharing knowledge and supporting team members.

You will need

• Experience managing complex projects from start to finish.
• Passion for supporting education infrastructure in Suffolk and a willingness to learn.
• Ideally, experience with capital projects in education or similar sectors, understanding of working within a political environment, and managing public sector projects. Transferable skills are welcome.
• Knowledge of build design guidance (e.g., BB103, BB104) and the EYFS Framework is advantageous.
• Understanding of project lifecycle and ability to engage educational leaders effectively.

We welcome applicants who can bring fresh perspectives. Please review the full Job and Person Profile (JPP). Even if you do not meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

The team

The Schools' Infrastructure Team manages school place planning, maintenance, and capital projects, handling a variety of site inquiries daily. We monitor demographic trends to plan future capacity and secure developer contributions for education projects driven by housing growth. The team meets regularly in person and via Teams, fostering a supportive environment that encourages professional growth, including opportunities for qualifications such as a Masters.

This role involves travel to schools and sites across the county. We maintain a shared calendar for team members' office days.

Empowering Everyone

We believe in potential, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented, as reflected in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Contact Kelly Smith (she/her) at 01502 521425 or kelly.smith@suffolk.gov.uk for an informal chat.

How to apply

1. Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP).
2. Click 'Apply Now' to start your application.
3. Upload a supporting statement (max 400 words per question) using the Supporting Statement template. Address the following questions:

• Describe a complex project you managed from start to finish. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
• Provide an example of working closely with a team to achieve a goal. What was your role?
• Share an experience of making cost-saving decisions without compromising quality.

Note: Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered. Support is available for adjustments due to disability. Contact 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk.

Application deadline: 11:30 pm, 11 May 2025

Interview date: 21 May 2025

This role is promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct. The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare, requiring DBS checks or police vetting for relevant positions.