Education Capital Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced and driven Education Capital Project Manager to lead the delivery of a high-profile £11 million Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools development programme. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role within our Education Property Development Team (EPDT) delivering modern, sustainable, and inclusive learning environments that enable children and young people with SEND to thrive.

The EPDT sits within the Directorate of Economic Growth & Neighbourhoods (DEGNS) and leads the strategic development of all Local Authority school sites. Our work is focused on sustainability, meeting Department for Education standards, responding to pupil demand, and delivering on climate and social value ambitions.

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

As a key member of the team, you will act as a client-side project manager, overseeing projects from procurement through to construction and completion.

Reporting to the Education Property Development Manager, you will lead the delivery of two new SEN schools on existing mainstream school sites, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities

Lead delivery of major SEN school developments (RIBA Stages 4–7)

Manage procurement of consultants, contractors, and delivery partners

Oversee construction, budgets, timelines, and overall project performance

Monitor risk, governance, and regulatory compliance

Champion sustainable design and decarbonisation initiatives

Collaborate with schools, Children’s Services, PMO, and external partners

Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and councillors

Support wider regeneration and education estate programmes

About You

You will be a confident and collaborative project leader with proven experience delivering capital construction projects in complex environments.

Essential requirements

Degree (or equivalent) in a built environment discipline (e.g. architecture, engineering, surveying)

Professional project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 Practitioner)

Strong understanding of project/programme management methodologies

Experience delivering construction projects within a local authority or similar setting

You will also bring

A strong track record managing medium-to-large scale developments

Expertise in budgets, contracts, consultants, and contractors

Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior level

Strong organisational, analytical, and risk management capabilities

A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a commitment to quality delivery

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.

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

For more information, please contact Shweta Sharma Bhatia - Education Property Development Manager at shwetasharma.bhatia@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 2190

Closing Date

Sunday 7th June 2026

Interview Date

To be confirmed

Interview Format

In person at the Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

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 Disability Confident.