Our School Organisation team is responsible for the County Council’s statutory duty to ensure that we have sufficient school places for children in Staffordshire in an ever-changing education landscape. The team does not work in schools but is a centrally placed team based in Stafford in the County Council offices. The team forecast the number of school places that are required over the short, medium and long term, based on demographic data and information and ensure those places are delivered, by securing funding and obtaining approval for the additional school places. The team does not get involved in placing children in schools (our Admissions Team is responsible for undertaking this). We currently have vacancies for two roles: 1 x full time post (37 hour) 1 part time post (26 hour). However, we are flexible with the hours available up to a total of 63 hours across the 2 posts. Please include the hours you are looking to work in your application. Main Responsibilities You will make recommendations on the number of school places required by forecasting future need in the short-, medium and long-term future by: analysing data including local demographics and school-based information and identifying statistical patterns and trends. applying your knowledge, skills and experience in association with law, policy and procedures to make informed decisions and proposals. maintaining and developing good links and working relationships with colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders collaborating successfully and maintaining transparent working to ensure a co-ordinated delivery of our service. This will include working with Local Planning Authorities and developers to secure new schools or expansions of existing schools and the associated funding to deliver the additional school places. Plus, you will also contribute to working and project groups meaning you will help to influence and develop internal and external local and national policy and strategy. The Ideal Candidate You'll have Good communication skills with excellent influencing and negotiating skills Be adaptable to change in an ever-evolving education system with experience of interpreting legislation and government guidance and incorporating it into business processes, policies and strategies Highly numerate, with experience of analysing and interpreting complex data and information to take challenging decisions and make recommendations Experience of using spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel with a good understanding of formulas and other analytical/statistical functions of the software We recognise you may not have experience in this role, and we are looking for someone who can demonstrate they have the transferable skills as full training will be provided. When applying for this role please ensure that you evidence your transferable skills to the criteria on the person specification. If you’re unsure if your skills match please contact Tracey Kellner tracey.kellnerstaffordshire.gov.uk or Tracy Haycock tracy.haycockstaffordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion. Closing Date: Sunday 01 December 2024 Interview Date: Week commencing 09 December 2024 Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role. About Staffordshire County Council We are no ordinary county council: Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. Our benefits: We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire Our recruitment process: As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.