All School staff are expected to:
a. Work towards and support the School vision and the current School objectives outlined in the School Development Plan;
b. Support and contribute to the School’s responsibility for safeguarding pupils;
c. Regularly review own practice, set personal development targets and take responsibility for own continuous professional development;
d. Work within the School’s Health and Safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors;
e. Work within the Equal Opportunities Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective;
f. Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues;
g. Engage actively in the performance review process;
h. Adhere to policies as set out in the Staff Handbook and Regulations;
i. Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time;
j. Adhere to School Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Head and Board of Management seek an outstanding Bursar to provide strong, strategic, operational and commercial leadership, ensuring the efficient delivery of a range of services in support of the School’s educational aims. For an exceptionally able individual, this post offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Malvern St James’ dynamic development. This is a new post as a result of restructuring the staffing at the School to take it forward under new ownership by Galaxy Global Education.
The successful candidate will offer outstanding strategic and organisational abilities, and will have a record of success in leadership and management gained in ambitious environments. An imaginative, open-minded and adaptable team player, they will possess a genuine interest in education, robust intellectual abilities, the confidence to challenge appropriately, well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, and astute financial acumen. A commitment to the ethos and values of MSJ is essential.
The School is characterised by a strong sense of teamwork and courteous relationships, with which the successful candidate will need to be at ease. Of critical importance is the relationship between the Proprietor, Chair of the Board of Management, the Head, the Senior Deputy Head and the Bursar.
The Bursar reports directly to the Head on day-to-day matters, and to the Board of Management at other times as required, including reporting to the Finance and Estates Committee and full Board on all matters financial, and to raise areas of concern or significant issues. The Bursar, supported by a shared PA, will directly line manage:
• The Finance Team
• HR Department
• Network and Compliance Officer
• Estates and Health and Safety Manager (who will be the Fire Officer and will manage the Estates and Grounds Team);
• Business Development Manager;
• Domestic Bursar (who in turn manages Catering, Housekeeping and Transport).
The Bursar will be the designated Data Controller for the School.
The Bursar will also work closely with members of the Senior Leadership Team, for example, the Deputy Head Academic regarding staffing and the Head of Admissions and the Head of Marketing.
This post provides an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to one of the country’s leading girls’ independent day and boarding schools.
Duties of the role will include, but will not be restricted to:
Strategic Leadership and Management
• To contribute, as a partner with the Head, Senior Deputy Head and the Board of Management, to the overall development and management of the School. The Bursar will play a key role in some significant strategic decisions in the coming years;
• To provide clear leadership for the Operations staff, ensuring that all team members are supported and challenged to deliver their remits to the highest standards. This will include the oversight of all Operational Staff line management appraisals.
Finance
• In conjunction with the Group Finance Team, to develop a robust financial strategy for the School;
• To lead and develop a responsive, forward-looking Finance team, which is also able to make a strong contribution to the future success of the School;
• To provide the Head and Board of Management with timely and accurate financial information on income and expenditure and cashflow, to aid effective decision-making, including a summary spreadsheet of the monthly accounts;
• To oversee all income and expenditures including salaries, pensions, debts and ensure the School meets all statutory and HMRC requirements;
• To oversee the Bursarial offer, liaising with an external company
• To produce for audit the annual Financial Statements of the School in accordance with relevant legislation (including the Companies Act 2016);
• To develop and maintain robust mechanisms of financial control and to provide appropriate systems for financial planning, budgeting and reporting;
• To manage relations with external service providers including insurers, banks and auditors;
• To develop a commercial strategy for MSJ with the Head and Business Development Manager, seeking new opportunities for diversifying income streams and developing robust systems of business continuity and future planning.
Estates and Facilities:
• To lead on the development and implementation of the strategic plan and associated major future building projects;
• To ensure that buildings and grounds are maintained to a high standard in the short and medium term;
• To provide facilities support including the management of contracts for cleaning and HR;
• Advise the Head and take appropriate security measures for premises, staff and pupils.
HR, Catering and Housekeeping:
• To oversee the HR, Catering and Housekeeping departments, ensuring that systems, policies and procedures meet legislative requirements and best practice;
• Manage contracts of employment and career paths of staff.
Compliance:
To oversee the work of the Network and Compliance Officer, in ensuring that the School conforms with ISI, HSE, GDPR and other regulatory body requirements, guidelines and best practice.
Service to the Board of Management:
• To support the Board of Management, providing clear advice on compliance matters, and providing support in the regular meetings
• Develop strong, positive relationships with colleagues, contribute to collaborative work across the School and support other staff in participating in work, in order to develop and share best practice.
Remuneration:
Salary in the region of £85k, depending on experience and qualifications, plus pension package.