Head of Schools Capital Projects PFI & BSF
| Posting date: | 20 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £608.35 per day |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 May 2026 |
| Location: | Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Wax Recruitment Ltd |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Job title: Head of Schools Capital Projects PFI & BSF
Job Category: Interims
Hours per week: 35
Location: Cunard Building, Water Street, Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 2BS, Liverpool City Council
Pay: £608.35 per day
2 days remote 3 days in Cunard
Job Purpose
Liverpool City Council has an ambitious and varied capital programme and seeks an experienced interim Head to manage the teams for a range of complex education projects and contracts including schools expansion schemes (mainstream and SEND) PFI and BSF. The post holder will be responsible for leadership in modernisation of the schools estate and implementation of sustainability measures to support New Zero objectives, and management the Strategic Lead for PFI overseeing contract expiry and BSF teams. The role covers a programme of c. �80m. This is an opportunity for a highly experienced seasoned interim who can hit the ground running to support the Director, and help deliver projects at pace that make a positive contribution to the city, its environment and residents.
The role is 4-5 days per week for up to 6 months. Based in very pleasant Liverpool Council offices on the Waterfront. 3 days a week in the office with home working possible on other days.
Directly Responsible For:
Programme Managers, Senior Project Managers, PFI Strategic Lead, Senior Contract Managers (PFI and BSF), Project Managers
Directly Responsible To:
Director of Capital Projects and Sustainability
Main Areas of Responsibility:
• Managing internal teams of built environment Project Managers, PFI and BSF Teams, Programme Managers and external multidisciplinary consultancy teams to deliver schools expansions and the schools condition programme
• Leading the development of education programmes and projects working with Sponsors and Users and DfE
• Working with stakeholders at senior level including Director of Education, DfE, Headteachers, Diocese
• Ensuring operational effectiveness and compliance with terms of PFI contracts and effective management of contract completion.
• Ensuring sustainability objectives are addressed in projects
• Preparing and managing project budgets, financial reporting, programming and project planning including risk management plans.
• Project delivery strategy, sustainability in design, quality and cost management,
• Acting as the Intelligent Client on schools,
• Preparing/overseeing consultancy briefs, procuring and managing consultants and service contracts
• Delivery of the schools capital programme
• Ensuring all projects have deliberable programmes with milestones, and risk registers.
• Knowledge of DfE Building Bulletins, standards and processes
• Site visits.
Supervision and Management Responsibility:
• Ensuring activities are planned to include meaningful one to one conversations, quality annual appraisals and regular workforce planning and development.
• Manages performance and behavioural issues effectively.
Budget and Financial Responsibility:
•
Person Specification
Assessment methods used: I = Interview, P = Presentation, A = Application, E = Exercise, T = Test, AC = Assessment Centre
Qualification and training
Essential
Degree in a Built Environment discipline. (e.g. Architecture, Surveying, Engineering).
RIBA/RICS/CIOB/ACE qualifications essential.
Construction industry recognised Project Management Qualification (eg RICS/CIOB/APM
Desirable
MBA
Experience
Essential
• Managing multidisciplinary teams across the built environment (I)
• Performance Management (I)
• Client liaison (I)
• Delivery of schools expansions, improvements and landscape schemes from inception to completion across the full range of RIBA stages.
Managing project budgets (I)
• BREEAM, Sustainability, BNG, CDM and Building Regs knowledge (I)
• Acting as a Client PM for large scale/complex projects. (I)
• Experience of JCT /NEC contract negotiations and contract administration (I)
• Significant procurement experience and appointment of specialists � design team, cost planners, external PMs, CA (I)
• Planning application processes, development management (I)
• Working within the public and private sector (I)
• Experience of writing business cases, reports and knowledge of public sector processes, including procurement
• Must have the ability to undertake site visits.(I)
1.
Commitment
Desirable
• An understanding of, and personal commitment to, the vision, aims, values and priorities of Liverpool City Council
Other
Essential
Able to play a visible and prominent role in leading, promoting and demonstrating the values of Liverpool City Council, and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (I)
Job Category: Interims
Hours per week: 35
Location: Cunard Building, Water Street, Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 2BS, Liverpool City Council
Pay: £608.35 per day
2 days remote 3 days in Cunard
Job Purpose
Liverpool City Council has an ambitious and varied capital programme and seeks an experienced interim Head to manage the teams for a range of complex education projects and contracts including schools expansion schemes (mainstream and SEND) PFI and BSF. The post holder will be responsible for leadership in modernisation of the schools estate and implementation of sustainability measures to support New Zero objectives, and management the Strategic Lead for PFI overseeing contract expiry and BSF teams. The role covers a programme of c. �80m. This is an opportunity for a highly experienced seasoned interim who can hit the ground running to support the Director, and help deliver projects at pace that make a positive contribution to the city, its environment and residents.
The role is 4-5 days per week for up to 6 months. Based in very pleasant Liverpool Council offices on the Waterfront. 3 days a week in the office with home working possible on other days.
Directly Responsible For:
Programme Managers, Senior Project Managers, PFI Strategic Lead, Senior Contract Managers (PFI and BSF), Project Managers
Directly Responsible To:
Director of Capital Projects and Sustainability
Main Areas of Responsibility:
• Managing internal teams of built environment Project Managers, PFI and BSF Teams, Programme Managers and external multidisciplinary consultancy teams to deliver schools expansions and the schools condition programme
• Leading the development of education programmes and projects working with Sponsors and Users and DfE
• Working with stakeholders at senior level including Director of Education, DfE, Headteachers, Diocese
• Ensuring operational effectiveness and compliance with terms of PFI contracts and effective management of contract completion.
• Ensuring sustainability objectives are addressed in projects
• Preparing and managing project budgets, financial reporting, programming and project planning including risk management plans.
• Project delivery strategy, sustainability in design, quality and cost management,
• Acting as the Intelligent Client on schools,
• Preparing/overseeing consultancy briefs, procuring and managing consultants and service contracts
• Delivery of the schools capital programme
• Ensuring all projects have deliberable programmes with milestones, and risk registers.
• Knowledge of DfE Building Bulletins, standards and processes
• Site visits.
Supervision and Management Responsibility:
• Ensuring activities are planned to include meaningful one to one conversations, quality annual appraisals and regular workforce planning and development.
• Manages performance and behavioural issues effectively.
Budget and Financial Responsibility:
•
Person Specification
Assessment methods used: I = Interview, P = Presentation, A = Application, E = Exercise, T = Test, AC = Assessment Centre
Qualification and training
Essential
Degree in a Built Environment discipline. (e.g. Architecture, Surveying, Engineering).
RIBA/RICS/CIOB/ACE qualifications essential.
Construction industry recognised Project Management Qualification (eg RICS/CIOB/APM
Desirable
MBA
Experience
Essential
• Managing multidisciplinary teams across the built environment (I)
• Performance Management (I)
• Client liaison (I)
• Delivery of schools expansions, improvements and landscape schemes from inception to completion across the full range of RIBA stages.
Managing project budgets (I)
• BREEAM, Sustainability, BNG, CDM and Building Regs knowledge (I)
• Acting as a Client PM for large scale/complex projects. (I)
• Experience of JCT /NEC contract negotiations and contract administration (I)
• Significant procurement experience and appointment of specialists � design team, cost planners, external PMs, CA (I)
• Planning application processes, development management (I)
• Working within the public and private sector (I)
• Experience of writing business cases, reports and knowledge of public sector processes, including procurement
• Must have the ability to undertake site visits.(I)
1.
Commitment
Desirable
• An understanding of, and personal commitment to, the vision, aims, values and priorities of Liverpool City Council
Other
Essential
Able to play a visible and prominent role in leading, promoting and demonstrating the values of Liverpool City Council, and building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (I)