Head of School Organisation and Place Planning

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Hackney Council is recognised as one of the UK’s highest-performing local authorities, serving a vibrant and dynamic community in one of London’s most desirable locations. Over the past twenty years, we have built a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition.

Hackney Education is committed to being the UK’s most forward-looking education system. We aim to enhance the life chances of every learner by creating an inspiring environment that guarantees inclusion and success for everyone. We are leading the way in our fight for equity, with a specific focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. As we rank among the 10% most deprived areas in England, our key priority is providing strong support for underserved families and communities.

About the Role

The School Organisation and Place Planning Team is crucial to Hackney’s overarching education strategy. As Service Manager, you will play a key role in leading the strategic direction for school organisation, place planning, admissions, and pupil benefits.

Your primary goal is to ensure access to sufficient, high-quality, and sustainable school provision (0–25 years) that meets the needs of all Hackney communities. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Leading an agile and sustainable school system that addresses challenges like fluctuating pupil numbers and growing SEND needs.
• Place Planning: Analysing demographic trends and housing developments to accurately forecast future demand.
• School Organisation: Managing the structure of local schools, including partnerships, federations, mergers, and closures to support financial sustainability.
• Admissions & Benefits: Overseeing the “end-to-end” legal processes for school admissions and statutory support services like Free School Meals.
• Partnership Working: Fostering collaborative relationships with Headteachers, Governors, academy trusts, and diocesan representatives.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Educated to degree level, equivalent professional qualification or relevant experience
• DBS: This post is subject to a DBS requirement.
• Flexibility: The role requires visits to schools and engagement with parent groups, which may occasionally take place outside normal working hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hackney Council is a place for everyone. We celebrate diversity and work to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or social class. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people and individuals from black and global majority backgrounds, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this position, please contact:

Terry Bryan

Assistant Director, School Estate Strategy

Email: Terry.Bryan@hackney.gov.uk

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 20 May 2026 (22.59)

Interview date: To be confirmed

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk