Job profile

We are looking for an exceptional person, who wants to play a leading role in reshaping our local school’s estate and forging a better future for children and families in Wakefield in the Schools Organisation Team.  

The team supports the Local Authority’s statutory duties under the Childcare Act 2006 & 2016 and Education Act 2006 to provide sufficient, good quality school places, promoting choice and diversity for children and parents across Wakefield. 

The overall purpose of the post is to be responsible for the commissioning, monitoring and the effective implementation of capital building works in relation to the Schools Capital Buildings programme for Education.  The post will provide advice and guidance to all schools, academies, Council officers and Council members on school capital projects with a specific focus on climate change in ensuring all future work supports Wakefield Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.  The successful candidate will utilise an effective, recognised project management methodology to ensure the authority meets it statutory duty.

The successful candidate will need as a minimum:

• To be self-motivated and prepared to work flexibly and be part of a team in a high profile, political and demanding environment, often working to challenging deadlines.
• Have experience of managing capital building projects through to a successful conclusion including activities such as the preparation of strategic briefs, financial monitoring, change management, risk management, completion of Gateway reports, attending construction site meetings with architects, contractors and the Council’s nominated service provider (where necessary) utilising recognised project management methodologies eg. PRINCE2.
• Be passionate about climate change and sharing and embedding good practise in the education sector.
• Be enthusiastic, innovative and a highly confident project planning officer who will support schools through the on-site building expansion works.
• Hold a recognised project management qualification or be willing to train whilst in the role.
• Have the ability to communicate complex information and statistical data both orally and in writing in a clear, articulate and succinct way, to a variety of stakeholders.
• Be self-motivated and prepared to work flexibly prioritising a demanding work programme.
• Demonstrate the ability to work well under pressure and be highly resilient.
• Be an excellent communicator working as part of a team in a high profile, political and demanding environment, often working to challenging deadlines.
• Have significant experience of partnership working across agencies and working with council officers, head teachers, governors, and school-based colleagues to provide strong and effective information to our schools and academies.
• Having knowledge of the Education Act and its relevant policies and the practicalities around education and school place planning would be advantageous.

If you feel you have the qualities, drive and enthusiasm needed to join a successful team, then we would love to hear from you.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in early January 2025.