Location: Liverpool (Hybrid – 3 days onsite, 2 remote)
Rate: £800/day Umbrella (or £608 PAYE)
Contract: 6 months (approx. 24 weeks)
Start: Early May 2026
IR35: Inside
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced Interim Head of Schools Capital Projects to lead a major education capital programme for a large local authority in the North West.
This is a senior leadership role overseeing a complex and high-value portfolio of school expansion, estate modernisation, and long-term contract management programmes, including PFI and BSF schemes, with a total value of circa £80m.
The Role
You’ll provide strategic leadership across a multidisciplinary function, managing internal project teams and external consultancy partners to deliver a wide-ranging schools capital programme. This includes mainstream and SEND expansions, condition programmes, and sustainability-driven initiatives aligned to net zero objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading delivery of large-scale education capital projects from inception to completion
* Overseeing PFI and BSF contract management, including lifecycle and expiry planning
* Acting as the “intelligent client” across all schools capital works
* Managing budgets, financial reporting, risk, and programme performance
* Driving sustainability, design quality, and value-for-money outcomes
* Engaging senior stakeholders including education leadership, government bodies, and external partners
* Procuring and managing professional services and consultancy teams
About You
This role requires a seasoned interim who can quickly embed into a complex environment and deliver at pace.
You will bring:
* Significant experience leading major capital programmes in the built environment, ideally within education
* Strong track record managing PFI/BSF contracts and complex stakeholder landscapes
* Expertise across RIBA stages, procurement, and contract management (JCT/NEC)
* Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving performance
* Strong financial and commercial acumen
* Knowledge of sustainability frameworks (e.g. BREEAM, net zero initiatives)
Requirements
* Degree in a relevant built environment discipline (e.g. Engineering, Surveying, Architecture)
* Professional membership (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA or equivalent)
* Project management qualification (APM or similar)
* Ability to undertake site visits
Working Arrangement
* Hybrid: 3 days onsite, 2 days remote
* Office-based in a prime waterfront location
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering impactful education infrastructure projects that directly benefit communities.
If you’re available at short notice and have the experience to hit the ground running, apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion
Salary description
£800.00 - £800.00 per day