Spencer Clarke Group are working alongside a local authority based in Tower Hamlets to appoint a talented Head of School Buildings & Development on a contract basis.

As a Head of School Buildings & Development you will ensure the delivery and monitoring of programmes to improve school buildings amounting to £200m and other service accommodation, including the implementation of the programme of school expansion. To be the lead adviser to the Corporate Director, Divisional Director and Service Head on all matters relating to school building and capital and to be responsible for such matters on behalf of the Directorate. To be responsible for all aspects of school asset management planning, client requirements for other CS property, capital investment planning, capital scheme commissioning, and client project management

About the role:

• Manage and coordinate all CS responsibilities on asset management for all schools and for client responsibilities for CS operational buildings. Lead on the strategic development of the CS asset strategy, including collecting and analysing data to recommend estate strategies Lead CS involvement with the development of the corporate AMP/asset strategy.
• Responsible for all client representation of asset implications of service planning for CS, including knowledge of service implications for efficient use of assets
• Responsible for meeting all Government requirements for the development, upkeep and submission of the school asset data
• Responsible for supporting schools in developing their knowledge and skills to in relation to school asset management planning (AMPs) and for developing and implementing strategies for maintaining up-to-date asset data across the school estate
• Responsible for dealing with asset implications of any school change in status and instructing Legal Services accordingly
• Responsible for advising the Service Head (Pupil Services and School Sufficiency) on implications of new initiatives or statutory requirements relating to property and capital investment issues.
• To manage the team developing and maintaining the Asset Management Plan for CS, taking into account the strategic needs of the service and corporate initiatives and the corporate Asset Strategy.
• To lead on work with teams in Place Directorate in relation to acquisition of sites for new schools and expansion of existing schools, including negotiation with external developers of the requirements for new school sites under Section 106 procedures.
• To lead for the Directorate on the disposal of school sites through the Section 77 process with the Department of Education.
• To represent the Directorate in dealing with highly sensitive discussions with the Department for Education and other stakeholders in relation to capital projects requiring a high level of discretion and negotiation Capital Programme Development, Implementation & Monitoring 12.Responsible for the management of all staff resources involved in the client side of CS asset management and capital investment planning, taking into account the strategic needs of the services and corporate initiatives
• .To represent the Directorate in dealing with highly sensitive discussions with the Department for Education and other stakeholders in relation to capital projects requiring a high level of discretion and negotiation
• Responsible for all aspects of recommending projects for inclusion in the CS capital programme, including recommending priorities based on school place planning requirements, asset strategy and other strategic requirements
• .Responsible for identifying best use of capital resources, including responsibility for securing funding
• Responsible for client management and monitoring of the capital programme to ensure spend targets are met and projects delivered according to programme, including all corporate reporting of progress and financial monitoring
• Responsible for the effective client management and monitoring of all capital projects, ensuring sufficient resources are available to meet programme requirements and that schools and other clients receive high quality services
• Responsible for ensuring that Place (Capital Delivery/Facilities Management) have all necessary information to effectively deliver CS capital programmes to agreed timetable 19.Responsible for completing detailed Project Briefs on all major projects on the scope and requirements, including liaising with all stakeholders on ensuring high quality design, sustainable development and defined and agreed outputs
• Responsible for setting client requirements for all school and service needs and for commissioning projects in accordance with corporate requirements, working in association with Place (Capital Delivery/Facilities Management) or other approved route to ensure programme resources are applied to achieve the required outputs and that all necessary information is provided for effective project delivery.
• Responsible for commissioning and reviewing options appraisals and for forming recommendations to the Service Head (Pupil Services and School Sufficiency) on the analysis and outcome of the appraisals, reflecting the high level of complexity involved in multi-variable options. .
• Responsible for reviewing the value for money and cost-effectiveness of capital schemes to be recommended for implementation.
• Responsible for leading on major capital funding bids for CS with partner organisations, showing creativity in developing bids and solutions to be funded and implemented
• To agree arrangements for the commissioning of professional services where required for delivery of programme; to manage professional resources to deliver programmes on time and within budgets
• To work with other Council services and stakeholders in developing an estate strategy to deliver additional primary school capacity to meet the rising population growth leading to increasing need for school places and to identify imaginative solutions to inner city site problems
• To be responsible for communication with stakeholders, including individual school developments and collectively with all headteachers and governing bodies involved
• To be responsible for keeping up to date with relevant industry, commercial and regulatory developments, including innovations in building design and construction approaches, and for ensuring team members have up to date knowledge
• .To be responsible for all progress monitoring and financial monitoring of capital programmes and relevant revenue budgets, completing all monitoring reports as required and ensuring that funding deadlines are met for the annual capital programme
• To provide regular progress reports as required and be responsible for obtaining all necessary final

About you :

• Significant experience in the public or private sectors of the client-side of capital project implementation
• Experience of managing and implementing capital projects in schools
• Experience of working with headteachers, governing bodies and other school-related parties to develop and implement asset strategies and capital projects
• Experience of financial management of capital programmes, including maintenance of monitoring systems for complex programme and funding arrangement
• Experience of working with partner organisations on complex legal agreements for use of leased premises
• Knowledge of asset management, capital investment planning and programme and project monitoring
• Knowledge of issues relating to delivery of services to schools
• Knowledge of policy and practice relating to effective school design and maintenance.
• Knowledge of school land disposal including Section 77.
• Knowledge of School Planning and Organisation
• Knowledge of PFI contract management and monitoring

What's on offer:

• On going contract
• Monday to Friday (36 hours per week)
• £500 to £600 per day (negotiable DOE)

If you've got what it takes and would love to find out more information or apply, either:

• Hit the apply button now and follow the steps
• Contact Chris Wilkinson on
• Email your CV to

About Spencer Clarke Group

Here at Spencer Clarke Group, we pride ourselves on connecting you with the best career opportunities; our experienced Consultants have extensive market knowledge and will also provide expert career advice along the way.

When you join us, you will receive:

• Access to a wide range of temporary and permanent opportunities
• Free DBS checks
• Post Placement Aftercare
• Loyalty reward scheme and regular competitions for our agency professionals

Spencer Clarke Group offer a market leading referral scheme of up to £250 so if you know of someone who may also be looking for an exciting career opportunity, ask them to email their CV to Chris Wilkinson on ;remembering to include your details as well.