Principal Education Property Development Officer

Are you an experienced construction project professional with a passion for improving schools and delivering projects that make a lasting impact for children and young people? We're looking for a Principal Education Property Development Officer to join our Education Property Development Team, leading the delivery of capital projects and programmes across Reading's education estate.

This is a rewarding opportunity to manage a varied portfolio of school improvement, expansion and development projects that directly support the future of education provision across the borough.

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 support hybrid working, it's important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you'll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

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. Preference will be given to engineers, surveyors, architects.

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 teams
Strong 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.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax