Vacancies

School Business Manager

Job Introduction

Due to the changing face of education we are looking for a dynamic school business manager (SBM) who is responsible for developing a business strategy and implementing running a business plan that enables the school to operate effectively and efficiently whilst and generating additional income; working closely on this with the headteacher. This person will support the Senior Leadership Team in delivering this strategy and managing the operation of the business functions of our school, including financial management, health and safety, human resources, compliance and administration.

This person will also be responsible for school marketing and communication strategies: taking take the lead in marketing our school in the local area and to our various communities through a diverse range of channels including social, signage and publications, and being responsible.through the following channels (this is not an exhaustive list): Facebook, website, Linked In, X, signage and publications.

Communication is an integral part of this role as the successful candidate would be responsible for liaising with staff, parents, governors and the wider community on a daily basis.

They will advise on and implement the day-to-day support that enables the school to operate effectively and efficiently.

Duties and responsibilities

Financial management

In partnership with the headteacher, manage the school’s budget and ensure it is balanced, realistic, and represents an effective use of public funds whilst making efforts to drive down costs
Monitor the budget all year round, proactively advising the headteacher where revisions or changes are needed
Forecast future years’ budgets, based on the school’s estimated funding and trends in expenditure, to enable the headteacher to make strategic, long-term decisions
Lead on procurement processes, managing tenders where appropriate, conducting due diligence, benchmarking and evaluating suppliers, negotiating deals and ensuring value for money
Comply with financial reporting requirements and submit statutory returns
Oversee school bank accounts on a day-to-day basis; ensuring invoices are paid, money owed is collected, and clear records are kept
Oversee our Wrap-Around Care finances – including invoicing and payments- issue invoices and chase payments
Co-ordinate allocation of budgets to budget holders
Submit the budget to the governing board within a timely manner and work closely with the Governing Body to enable them to effectively oversee financial performance.
Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the admin department, delegating tasks where appropriate

Human resources

Manage the school’s payroll
Ensure that recruitment, appraisal, disciplinary and grievance policies are administered in accordance with employment law
Conduct reviews of the school’s staffing structure to ensure effective deployment of staff and financial efficiency
Advise on HR issues within school and liaise with the external HR provider
Oversee the provision of first aid within the school

Infrastructure, Sustainability and Risks

Lead on the implementation of the DFE’s strategy on sustainability
Develop and implement the school’s fundraising and income generation strategy, choosing fundraising priorities in line with the school improvement plan
Manage the school’s lettings offer including lets, cleaning, energy costs, sourcing opportunities and increase lettings both internally and externally
Ensure a short and long term site maintenance programme is created and executed
With the headteacher and premises team, 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 all in the school
Organise health and safety training for staff
Maintain school’s risk register

Administration

Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the admin department, delegating tasks where appropriate
Keep records in accordance with the school’s record retention schedule and data protection law, ensuring information security and confidentiality at all times
Develop and maintain a range of sub-contractors to develop and improve the school
Negotiate and monitor the performance of contracts eg cleaning and catering
Manage staffing, buildings, ICT, vehicles etc to achieve an uninterrupted service
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Manage training of staff and upkeep of spreadsheet

Marketing

Generate income through the marketing of our facilities
Manage the school’s lettings offer including lets, cleaning, energy costs, sourcing opportunities and increase lettings both internally and externally
Implement a marketing plan for the school which utilises the school website, signage, Facebook and other social media channels and communications with current and prospective parents
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Implement a marketing plan for the school which utilises the school website, signage, Facebook and other social media channels and communications with current and prospective parents
Generate income through the marketing of our facilities
Develop a close liaison with the PTFA (Parent Teacher Friends Association) on developing and executing funding initiatives
Ensure the website is up-to-date, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate
Highlight success stories and pupil achievements on school communication channels

Fundraising

Develop and implement the school’s fundraising and income generation strategy, choosing fundraising priorities in line with the school improvement plan
Develop a close liaison with the PTFA on developing and executing funding initiatives
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Implement a marketing plan for the school which utilises the school website, signage, Facebook and other social media channels and communications with current and prospective parents
Generate income through the marketing of our facilities
Explore and implement new funding opportunities
Develop a close liaison with the PTFA (Parent Teacher Friends Association) on developing and executing funding initiatives
Engage with local businesses for sponsorships and donations to support events and increase our visibility in the community and offering them visibility through banners, event mentions, and website presence
Use Crowdfunding Platforms to assist with funding specific projects and share widely through social media platforms

Grants

Work with teachers, support staff, and community members to identify specific gaps or needs
Research grant opportunities
Assemble a ‘grant’ team
Develop strong proposals and submit bids
When awarded, implement and manage the grants

Partnerships

Develop a close liaison with the PTFA (Parent Teacher Friends Association) on developing and executing funding initiatives
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Implement a marketing plan for the school which utilises the school website, signage, Facebook and other social media channels and communications with current and prospective parents
Generate income through the marketing of our facilities
Manage and engage with local stakeholders
Develop a close liaison with the PTFA (Parent Teacher Friends Association) on developing and executing funding initiatives
Partner with local businesses to promote the school and collaborate on community events
Engage with local businesses for sponsorships and donations to support events and increase our visibility in the community and offering them visibility through banners, event mentions, and website presence

Leadership and strategy

Under the direction of the headteacher, lead on all financial matters in school, to ensure the school’s successful financial performance and to ensure financial decisions are clearly linked to the school’s strategic goals
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Be responsible for line-managing support staff and office staff, including carrying out long-term resource planning and managing recruitment, appraisal and professional development
Project manage capital developments and oversee their implementation
Implement school-wide changes and allocate resources in line with the school improvement plan, putting policies and procedures in place and communicating them to staff
Monitor developments in technology and consider how it can be used to enhance the school’s business processes, teaching and learning, and staff wellbeing
Develop and maintain an up to date manual of financial and related procedures including the use of a range of IT applications
As a member of the senior leadership team, attend leadership team meetings and report to governors where appropriate (attending Finance & Personnel sub committees)
Be responsible for promoting links between the support and teaching staff
Take all decisions in line with the vision and values of the school, and encourage others to do the same

Compliance

Manage the school’s compliance with statutory obligations, and advise others on the relevant legal, regulatory and ethical requirements
Be responsible for data protection compliance (be our school’s GDPR Officer) and ensure the school community understand how to comply with data protection law

The school 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.

Please note that this list of duties is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the school business manager will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

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