Principal Education Property Development Officer

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Reading

17/06/2026

Principal Education Property Development Officer

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

£44,075 to £50,269 Per year

Contractual hours

Basis

Full time

Region

Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type

Education, Managerial, Project Work

Date posted

03/06/2026

Job reference

DEN1568

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

About You

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.

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 ***email_hidden*** or call 0118 937 2190

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th June 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU

Principal Education Property Development Officer