What skills and experience we're looking for
Main purpose
The school business manager (SBM) is responsible for managing the operation of the business functions of our school, including financial management, health and safety, human resources, compliance, and administration.
They will advise on and implement the day-to-day support that enables the school to operate effectively and efficiently, and that allows other members of the leadership teams to focus on teaching and learning.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
• Be responsible for line-managing site and administration support staff, including carrying out long-term resource planning and managing the end-to-end recruitment process, appraisal, and professional development
• Implement school-wide changes and allocate resources in line with school improvement plans, putting policies and procedures in place and communicating them to staff
• Take all decisions in line with the vision and values of schools, and encourage others to do the same
• Implement a marketing plan for schools, which utilises school websites, signage, the prospectus, and communications with current and prospective parents
Financial management
• Oversee the security and reconciliation of cash in hand and debtors on a day-to-day basis, ensuring money is banked, money owed is collected, and clear records are kept
• Ensure value for money within procurement of goods and services in line with Trust policy
• Manage school’s lettings offer
• Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the administration department, delegating tasks to finance/office staff where appropriate
Human resources
• Maintain the staff absence data in the Trust HR system
• Ensure that recruitment, appraisal, disciplinary and grievance policies are administered in accordance with employment law
• Advise on HR issues within schools and liaise with the external HR provider
Health and safety
• With headteachers and premises teams, supervise the maintenance of the school site
• Manage the school’s compliance with health and safety regulations, and put in place processes and procedures to ensure the safety of the school
• Organise health and safety training for staff
Compliance
• Manage school’s compliance with statutory obligations, and advise others on the relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements
• Track all local school policies and ensure they are updated in accordance with the policy review schedule
Administration
• Keep records in accordance with the Trust’s record retention schedule and data protection law, ensuring information security and confidentiality at all times
• Provide administrative support for headteachers and the governing body
• Support the data protection officer with ensuring data protection compliance and helping the school community understand how to comply with data protection law
Safeguarding
• The school’s business manager will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
What the school offers its staff
What can we offer you
• The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward-thinking multi-academy trust, where you are making a difference to the lives of young people.
• Opportunities for development and career progression
• Extensive induction programme and ongoing CPD and training
• A range of staff benefits including one wellbeing day per term (after a qualifying period, pro rata for part time employees), access to an Employee Assistance Programme and a workplace pension scheme (LGPS)
• Free eye test for DSE users
• Free flu vaccinations
• Free tea and coffee
• Refer a friend bonus (up to £500)
• A positive and friendly working environment
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.