Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects)
| Posting date: | 12 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £75,000 to £90,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £75k - £90k per annum based on experience + private healthcare + annual bonus + 25 days annual leave + bank holidays |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 February 2026 |
| Location: | Strood, Kent |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Leigh Academies Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 008900 |
Summary
Leading the Evolution of Primary and Secondary Learning Environments
Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is one of the UK's most progressive multi-academy trusts. We believe that world-class education is only possible when supported by world-class infrastructure. Our pace of delivery is industry-leading: during the 2025 summer break alone, our team successfully completed dozens of projects with a total capital investment of over £10 million.
As Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects), you will be the strategic driver behind our most ambitious developments. You will lead a high-performing project team to deliver physical and digital spaces that directly enhance the learning journey for thousands of primary and secondary pupils.
The Portfolio: Strategic Growth & Essential Renewal
This role offers a sophisticated balance between high-profile new builds and the critical asset management of our existing estate. You will manage a diverse portfolio that ensures every academy - regardless of age or location - meets the highest standards.
1. High-Value Capital Developments:
Leigh Academy Birchwood: Serve as the client representative for a £20m DfE-led brand-new "all-through" SEN academy.
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy: Lead a £7m KCC-sponsored new build expansion to support secondary growth.
Expansion & Specialist Provision: Manage multi-million-pound projects including a £2.6m extension at Leigh Academy Rainham and a £500k nursery extension at Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard.
2. Strategic Asset Management (SCA):
You will hold responsibility for the execution of our £5 million annual School Condition Allocation (SCA). This is not mere maintenance; it is strategic lifecycle management involving:
Large-scale roof replacements and structural fabric renewals.
Major heating and mechanical overhauls aimed at improving energy efficiency.
Comprehensive welfare and classroom upgrades to modernize the primary and secondary estate.
Digital & IT Infrastructure
In partnership with the Head of IT Programmes, you will spearhead a £2 million IT renewal programme. This ensures our digital backbone - from 1:1 primary Chromebook initiatives to Windows 11 secondary migrations - remains modern, secure, and fully integrated with our physical infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Execution: Formulate and deliver capital and SCA projects that align with the Trust’s vision of "Education for a Better World."
Financial Oversight: Manage complex project budgets, ensuring robust forecasting and demonstrable value for money.
Risk & Compliance: Serve as the specialist lead for CDM regulations, procurement standards (Public Contracts Regulations), and Health & Safety across all construction activities.
Leadership: Provide decisive management to the Infrastructure Project Team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence.
About You
We are seeking a senior professional with a proven track record in leading significant capital programmes within live environments. You will possess:
Expert Knowledge: A deep understanding of statutory regulations, planning permissions, and building control.
Budgetary control: Experience in managing programme and project budgets with experience of public-sector funding an advantage.
Stakeholder Engagement: The ability to communicate complex project risks and timelines effectively to senior Trust leaders and external partners (DfE, & local government).
Professionalism: Ideally, you will be accredited by CIOB, RICS, or CABE (or be working toward this).
Why Leigh Academies Trust?
This is a rare opportunity to join a Trust that treats infrastructure as a cornerstone of educational success. You will work within a high-energy leadership team where your expertise in construction and project management will have a tangible, daily impact on the lives of students.
Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is one of the UK's most progressive multi-academy trusts. We believe that world-class education is only possible when supported by world-class infrastructure. Our pace of delivery is industry-leading: during the 2025 summer break alone, our team successfully completed dozens of projects with a total capital investment of over £10 million.
As Deputy Director of Infrastructure (Projects), you will be the strategic driver behind our most ambitious developments. You will lead a high-performing project team to deliver physical and digital spaces that directly enhance the learning journey for thousands of primary and secondary pupils.
The Portfolio: Strategic Growth & Essential Renewal
This role offers a sophisticated balance between high-profile new builds and the critical asset management of our existing estate. You will manage a diverse portfolio that ensures every academy - regardless of age or location - meets the highest standards.
1. High-Value Capital Developments:
Leigh Academy Birchwood: Serve as the client representative for a £20m DfE-led brand-new "all-through" SEN academy.
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy: Lead a £7m KCC-sponsored new build expansion to support secondary growth.
Expansion & Specialist Provision: Manage multi-million-pound projects including a £2.6m extension at Leigh Academy Rainham and a £500k nursery extension at Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard.
2. Strategic Asset Management (SCA):
You will hold responsibility for the execution of our £5 million annual School Condition Allocation (SCA). This is not mere maintenance; it is strategic lifecycle management involving:
Large-scale roof replacements and structural fabric renewals.
Major heating and mechanical overhauls aimed at improving energy efficiency.
Comprehensive welfare and classroom upgrades to modernize the primary and secondary estate.
Digital & IT Infrastructure
In partnership with the Head of IT Programmes, you will spearhead a £2 million IT renewal programme. This ensures our digital backbone - from 1:1 primary Chromebook initiatives to Windows 11 secondary migrations - remains modern, secure, and fully integrated with our physical infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Execution: Formulate and deliver capital and SCA projects that align with the Trust’s vision of "Education for a Better World."
Financial Oversight: Manage complex project budgets, ensuring robust forecasting and demonstrable value for money.
Risk & Compliance: Serve as the specialist lead for CDM regulations, procurement standards (Public Contracts Regulations), and Health & Safety across all construction activities.
Leadership: Provide decisive management to the Infrastructure Project Team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence.
About You
We are seeking a senior professional with a proven track record in leading significant capital programmes within live environments. You will possess:
Expert Knowledge: A deep understanding of statutory regulations, planning permissions, and building control.
Budgetary control: Experience in managing programme and project budgets with experience of public-sector funding an advantage.
Stakeholder Engagement: The ability to communicate complex project risks and timelines effectively to senior Trust leaders and external partners (DfE, & local government).
Professionalism: Ideally, you will be accredited by CIOB, RICS, or CABE (or be working toward this).
Why Leigh Academies Trust?
This is a rare opportunity to join a Trust that treats infrastructure as a cornerstone of educational success. You will work within a high-energy leadership team where your expertise in construction and project management will have a tangible, daily impact on the lives of students.