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Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country? Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking to recruit and develop ambitious an enthusiastic apprentice project manager who will relish working in a supportive business environment while studying for a degree from a prestigious university.

This is an exciting opportunity to establish firm foundations that will give you an advantage throughout your career.

As a Project Management Apprentice (New Schools Projects), you will play an instrumental role in scoping, planning, delivering and evaluating projects in three crucial areas: human resources; communications and infrastructure development. Together, these projects will ensure that Star’s new schools (free schools and sponsored academies) are established on time, within their resource envelope and to a high quality. You will develop expertise in project management by researching, designing and implementing projects through their complete life cycle. You will co-ordinate complex workstreams, commission the contributions of wide-ranging colleagues, and monitor the completion and quality of work you assign. You will communicate with stakeholders and provide informed progress updates.

If you’re a highly organised detail-oriented individual with great communication skills and an interest in project management and education, alongside a passion for making a difference to the lives of young people, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

As an apprentice on the project management programme, you’ll get to work in Star’s central team whilst also studying for a degree at Aston Business School, Aston University. Most of your week will be spent working with Star colleagues at the Star Central office in Blackburn and learning on the job. You’ll also attend university (mostly online, with travel to Aston University three times per year) studying towards a degree: BSc Project Management.

You will attend fortnightly activity-led online webinars, complete self-study and participate in two on-campus study days three times per year at Aston University in Birmingham. Through the combination of work and study, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need in order to thrive as a project manager.

You will have:

• Minimum of five GCSE qualifications at grade 5/C or above, including English and mathematics.
• Three A level qualifications at grades ABB or better (Grades can be strongly predicted at the point of application. Predicted grades will be checked via an academic reference).
• Eligibility and keenness to enrol in a degree apprenticeship in
  Project Management.
• The ability to use MS Office software packages and databases.
• The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and accurately, particularly
  under pressure, to deadlines and using own initiative.
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities while paying
  close attention to detail.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday, 18 June 2023 at midnight.

Interview Date: Week commencing Monday, 26 June 2023.

Proposed Start Date: To be confirmed.

Application Process

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.