About The Role
This is a senior specialist role acting as the Council’s lead expert on PFI contract expiry. You will manage the full end‑to‑end expiry process for schools PFI contracts, ensuring assets are returned in a safe, compliant and fit‑for‑purpose condition, and that future arrangements beyond PFI are robust, cost‑effective and sustainable.
You will provide strategic and technical leadership, act as the Council’s intelligent client in negotiations, and play a key role in shaping the future management of school estates following PFI expiry.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the planning and delivery of PFI contract expiry and handback activities across schools
- Producing and delivering detailed strategic exit and handback plans, ensuring milestones and governance requirements are met
- Acting on behalf of the Council to ensure assets are returned in an appropriate condition, minimising financial and operational risk
- Providing expert commercial, contractual and technical advice on PFI, FM and estate‑related matters
- Leading negotiations with private sector partners to mitigate cost and risk to the authority
- Overseeing compliance, performance auditing and lifecycle reviews in advance of handback
- Managing and supporting PFI Contract Managers and working closely with the PFI Business as Usual team
- Representing the Council at boards, governance meetings and with key external stakeholders including schools and government bodies
About You
You will bring significant experience of operating in a PFI or complex contract management environment, ideally within the public sector, comfortable working with large, detailed contracts and confident leading negotiations, managing risk and influencing a wide range of stakeholders.
You will also have:
- Strong experience managing large, complex hard and soft FM contracts
- Excellent commercial awareness and negotiation skills
- The ability to analyse technical and contractual information and translate it into practical solutions
- Strong communication skills, with experience preparing reports for senior audiences
- The confidence to lead complex meetings and manage sensitive contractual issues
- A proactive, solution‑focused and pragmatic approach
Essential qualifications
- RICS or an equivalent professional qualification in property or contract management
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline
Project management qualifications and experience within education or school estates are desirable but not essential.
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