Principal Education Property Development Officer

Reading Borough Council; United States; Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced Project Manager, Building Surveyor, Architect, Engineer or Construction Professional to lead education capital projects worth £5 million and beyond. The role involves multiple school refurbishment and development schemes, with hybrid working arrangements to balance site visits and home-based tasks.

You will manage projects from feasibility to completion, lead diverse teams, engage with schools and governors, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery

Qualifications

• Confident and organised professional with strong construction project management expertise.
• Experience delivering capital projects and programmes across education/public sector is preferred.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage budgets, deadlines and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Managing education capital build projects on site from feasibility through to completion
• Leading multidisciplinary project teams including architects, engineers and contractors
• Working collaboratively 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

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Organisational skills

Education

Relevant degree qualification

Professional or technical construction/project management qualification

Job description

Are you an experienced Project Manager, Building Surveyor, Architect, Engineer or Construction Professional looking to lead high-profile education capital projects worth up to £5 million and beyond? This is an opportunity to take ownership of a diverse programme of school expansion, refurbishment and development schemes that will directly shape the future of education provision across Reading.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements, recognising the balance between site visits, stakeholder engagement and home-based working.

About The Role:

You’ll lead and manage multiple education capital projects simultaneously, working closely with schools, consultants, contractors and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery on time and within budget.

Projects range from smaller refurbishment schemes to major developments exceeding £5 million, all with critical deadlines linked to pupil place delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing education capital build projects on site from feasibility through to completion
• Leading multidisciplinary project teams including architects, engineers and contractors
• Working collaboratively 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

We’re looking for a confident and organised professional with strong construction project management expertise and experience delivering construction or property projects within an education or public sector environment.

We invite applications from professionally qualified Building Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Engineers, Project Managers and other construction professionals with experience of delivering capital projects.

You will bring:

• A relevant degree qualification and professional or technical construction/project management qualification
• Experience managing capital projects and programmes across RIBA Stages of Work
• Strong understanding of education capital projects and relevant legislation
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teamsStrong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• A collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement

Experience working within Local Government or education settings would be highly desirable.