Pupil Place Planning Manager

Job Introduction

Shaping the future of Education 

Together, we’re the moment makers.  

Together, we’re shaping children’s education for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by providing children and young people with the best possible education. 

About the role 

As Pupil Place Planning Manager, you will ensure that Oxfordshire County Council meets its statutory duties to secure sufficient school places by planning educational capacity across the county. You will also deliver the strategic function of the local authority as a commissioner of excellent school places from a diverse range of providers, including securing appropriate investment from private and public sector funders. 

This role will lead and deliver a service to schools and the County Council, supporting all aspects of school organisation while responding to local and national policy and context. A key part of this role will be to effectively drive the process of schools converting to academy status. This involves leading the development of the Council’s policies and documentation related to all aspects of academisation, and directing and coordinating specialist teams across the council, including legal, financial, property, CEF, HR, pensions, and services to schools. 

Building and managing effective partnership relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders is essential for this role. You will regularly consult and negotiate with elected members, a wide range of individuals in our schools and settings, other County Council Directorates, local and national government partners, and external bodies in the housing development industry. Your ability to influence and negotiate with a range of complex stakeholders will be key to your success in this role. 

If you have the experience and skills required to deliver impactful solutions, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to help us shape the future of education in Oxfordshire. 

About us 

Together, we’re the moment makers and we’re focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you’ll look around and say, “I make a difference”. Because we’re all creating lasting change to people’s lives in Oxfordshire. 

We are a large County Council with a population of 750,000 and c. 155,000 children. We have 287 schools and settings across a mixed demography from rural primary to inner-city secondaries schools and post 16 colleges. We understand that education and our settings are the greatest universal service we have to provide equality of opportunity and to support personal and social development for our children and young people. Safeguarding and supporting schools to deliver quality first teaching is at the heart of what we do. 

Everyday you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives. 

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of Education. 

Are you in? 

About you 

You are innovative and courageous, qualities that distinguish you as a leader. You will provide unwavering support and enthusiasm, always challenging the status quo to find better solutions through exploration and bravery. Equally important, you will exemplify our core values in all you do. 

• Always learning: You will have a professional education qualification, significant experience in senior leadership, and a talent for strategic delivery.
• Be Kind and Care: You will be a natural leader who understands and respects the unique qualities, abilities, strengths, and diverse backgrounds of individuals.
• Equality and integrity in all you do: You will have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of DfE policy and requirements governing the organisation learning in all settings.
• Taking responsibility: You will take responsibility for your team to deliver on the vision of Oxfordshire County Council and driving continual improvements and ensuring financial stability in terms of budget.
• Daring to do it differently: You will have the ability to engage partners and challenge underperformance and noncompliance at all levels to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.

Fundamentally, you’ll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we’re here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire. 

Rewards and benefits 

 Culture of flexible working 

• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays  
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Curious to learn more? Contact Kate Reynolds kate.reynolds@oxfordshire.gov.uk for a confidential and informative chat! 

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk