Business Manager to join our team. This role plays a crucial role in supporting the Headteacher with managing the business operations of the school, which includes HR, administration, catering, and site management. Reddish Vale High School is part of the Achieve and Learn Trust. At Reddish Vale High School, committed staff provide a positive and nurturing environment that inspires a passion for learning, so that every pupil progresses and thrives.
Your role:
* Ensure that all business functions are streamlined to support the school in delivering excellent education.
* Provide overall leadership for all business-related aspects of the school, ensuring that the school operates in a financially and operationally sustainable way.
* Support with all HR activities, including staff recruitment, contracts, and staff wellbeing.
* Be responsible for the school's premises management and ensure compliance with health & safety standards.
* Collaborate with the Trust's central finance and operations teams to implement effective business strategies.
JOB PURPOSE:
The School Business Manager (SBM) is responsible for managing the strategy and operation of the business functions of our school, including financial management, health and safety, human resources, compliance, administration, catering, and premises. Achieve and Learn Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Administration Management
The School Business Manager will be responsible for the administration aspects of the school which do not relate to the teaching, supervision, and pastoral care of students. You will work with the Administration team to provide an essential function that ensures the school operates smoothly, enabling stakeholders to be effective in terms of their organisation and time management. You will ensure that statutory and statistical returns are completed as appropriate and the school administration system (SIMS) is used efficiently by support staff.
Catering Management
The School Business Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the catering service. You will work with the Catering Manager to provide an efficient and cost-effective catering service that meets the school food standards.
Financial Management
You will support the Trust central finance team/Headteacher with budget planning, monitoring school budget expenditure, assisting with negotiating, managing and monitoring contracts, tenders and agreements for the provision of support services with a particular focus on quality assurance and value for money. You will assist with writing bids, preparing appraisals for projects, and monitoring the related expenditure. You will ensure that accurate financial returns are prepared and submitted in a timely manner to the Trust and other external agencies as required.
Human Resources Management
The School Business Manager will be responsible for the provision of an effective HR service within the school. You will support senior staff in dealing with personnel and contract issues, assist with return to work interviews for non-teaching staff, seek specialist expertise from the external HR consultant in relation to HR issues, as requested, and work with the Chief Finance and Operations Manager to ensure that all Trust procedures in relation to HR policies are adhered to.
Premises Management and Health and Safety
The School Business Manager will be responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the buildings, facilities, grounds, fabric, and furnishings of the school, working with the Trust Operations and Estates Manager. You will work with the Site Manager to ensure a Premises Development Plan, including energy conservation, is implemented, projects are appraised, and the plan is regularly updated. You will ensure, through regular contact with the Site Manager, that:
* effective maintenance is in place
* contracts represent value for money
* repair of the school is carried out and progress monitored.
You will act as the School's Health and Safety Co-ordinator and lead and advise on all matters relating to health and safety, working in consultation with the school's health and safety consultant. Liaise with the Site Manager regarding letting of the school premises to outside organisations and the development of all school facilities for out of school use.
Training and Development of Self and Others
You will regularly review your own practice, set personal development targets with the Headteacher and take responsibility for your own continuous professional development. You will ensure that the training needs for the staff you manage are identified, appropriately met and that staff are active in their own personal and work-related development.
General Requirements
You are expected to:
* Work towards the Trust's vision and exemplify Trust values at all times.
* Support the academy vision and current objectives outlined in the Academy Improvement Plan.
* Contribute to the school's programme of extra-curricular activities e.g., helping at Open Evening.
* Support and contribute to the school's responsibility for safeguarding students.
* Work within the school's health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, students, and visitors.
* Work within the School's Equality Objectives to promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff, both current and prospective.
* Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with students, parents/carers and colleagues.
* Adhere to policies and circulars.
* To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as directed by the Headteacher.
Minimum Requirements
* Have a School Business Manager qualification or evidence of 2-3 years' senior experience in a complex organisation.
* Experience of managing staff to a high level; an HR qualification would be an advantage.
* Be self-motivated, pro-active and able to work independently.
* Be someone who thrives on managing a varied workload using excellent organisational skills.
* Have strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
* Have an understanding of financial budgets and cost management processes.
* Be a strategic thinker who can balance operational demands with long-term goals.
Good numeracy and IT skills, GCSE Grade C or higher passes in English and Maths.
A School Business Manager qualification (e.g., Level 4 diploma, CSBM) and/or evidence of 2-3 years' substantial senior experience in a complex organisation if appointed.
A recognised qualification in HR personnel and development is desirable.
Evidence of continued professional development is essential.
Experience
* Successful leadership and management experience in a school, or in a relevant field outside education.
* Line management experience.
* Experience of change management.
* Contributing to staff development.
* Experience of working in a team and achieving collective goals.
Direct experience of using ledger systems and maintaining financial data is desirable.
Experience of writing strategic reports that clearly identify the potential impacts on the business is desirable.
Knowledge
* Knowledge and expertise of working with Management Information Systems.
* Knowledge of school food standards and statutory legislation in relation to site management is desirable.
Skills & Abilities
* Excellent interpersonal and communications skills including the ability to relate well to people on all levels with sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
* Ability to assess and diffuse confrontational situations, listening actively and making people feel positive and included.
* Self-motivated with ability to prioritise and manage own workload over extended periods, producing accurate work within deadlines and with minimal supervision.
* Ability to quickly identify existing or potential business problems with significant financial consequences and present short to medium term solutions.
* Ability to support the design or adaptation of business systems so that they are fit for purpose and cost-effective.
* Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
* Ability to provide training to small groups of people, preferably Headteachers, Governors, and school staff.
* Excellent ICT skills e.g., confident and adept in use of Microsoft applications e.g., Word, Excel, and database input.
* A high level of personal integrity, with proven experience of handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy and with complete respect for confidentiality.
* Ability to understand and apply regulations such as health and safety, premises management etc.
Attitude and Approach
* Smart, professional appearance.
* Boundless energy and vision; resilience and 'can do' approach.
* Positive and proactive approach to continuous improvement.
At the heart of the Trust's vision is a belief that students deserve the best educational experience with aspirational curriculum provision and enrichment opportunities. We strive for personal and academic achievement within a safe, inclusive and enriched learning environment: opening minds, opening doors to learning opportunities and opening up pathways to successful futures.
Our Aims
Our aim is to ensure that all schools within the Trust aspire to meet Ofsted 'Outstanding' criteria and, with our support, robustly meet 'Good' Ofsted criteria.
Our Future
We have an appetite for continuous improvement and development, with an overall ambition of expanding the Trust to develop a local partnership of schools, covering both primary and secondary phases. This will enable us to foster true partnership and collaborative work that both supports and challenges member schools.
MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Welcome to Reddish Vale High School. I am very proud as Headteacher to welcome you to Reddish Vale High School (RVHS). Our school has gone through an exciting period of transition and improvement. Through values-driven leadership, which is underpinned by dedicated teaching and support staff, the school is on an exciting pathway in ensuring that all its learners are enabled in realising their full potential. This is my mission. Here at RVHS, we are dedicated to realising our vision to 'Positively Change Lives'. High quality, committed staff provide a positive, disciplined and nurturing environment that inspires a passion for learning so that every learner progresses and can thrive. Our learners are encouraged to achieve their best personally, academically, and socially. As a result, we are seeing improved levels of academic attainment and progress throughout the school. High expectations and standards are driven through teamwork and underpinned through the school's core values of; Respect, Aspiration, Determination, and Independence. This provides only a brief introduction to our school community and a flavour of our ethos and values.
We are experiencing a period of significant growth and investment, allowing us to further enhance our school facilities, teaching resources, and staff development programs. As part of our continued growth and commitment to providing the best possible education for our students, we are seeking to appoint a number of talented and motivated individuals to join our dedicated team. Thank you for your interest in Reddish Vale High School, the learners, staff, and I, look forward to welcoming you.
In return, we provide:
* An engaging, creative and welcoming environment.
* Holiday entitlement of 26 days, plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 31 days after five years of service.
* The position will be based at Reddish Vale High School, Stockport.
* The post is based on 36.25 hours per week.
* Membership of Greater Manchester Pension Scheme, with excellent employer contributions.
* Free on-site parking. All our schools operate a no-smoking policy on the whole of its sites.
* On-site canteen facilities.
* Staff room with free refreshments.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Occupational Health and Counselling services available.
* Supported by a talented, highly motivated, committed and professional team of colleagues.
* Active and supportive Governing Bodies and Senior Leadership Teams.
* CPD opportunities for all staff.
* A great place to work.
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