This job
description summarises the purpose and responsibilities
of the role; it is not an exhaustive list of tasks that may be necessary and
undertaken in order to achieve this purpose. The purpose and responsibilities
can be varied from time to time at the discretion of the Headteacher.
The School
Business Manager leads and manages:
- The school
office team
- Network/ICT Manager
- Site Managers
- Cleaners
Key
Responsibilities
To be responsible for providing professional leadership and
management of school support staff in partnership with teaching staff,
reviewing their structure and responding to areas of development where
necessary. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), to contribute
significantly to the continuous improvement of the school to enhance its
effectiveness to enable raised standards of learning and achievement.
To promote the highest standards of business ethos within the
administrative function of the school and strategically ensure the most
effective use of resources in support of the School Development Plan (SDP).
To provide strategic support to the Headteacher and Local Governing
Body (LGB) on all aspects of the school’s business management; managing the legal,
budgetary and compliance responsibilities.
To be responsible for:
- Strategic Leadership
- Finance and Business Management
- Whole School Administration
- Management Information & ICT
- Human Resource Management
- Premises Management
- Health & Safety
To be an ambassador of the school and promote
the ethos, vision and values.
Strategic Leadership
- To be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, to attend Local
Governing Body meetings when required.
- In the absence of the Headteacher, to take delegated responsibility
for financial decisions.
- To manage the school’s budget and plan change in accordance with
the School Development Plan.
- To monitor and review financial and administrative systems and
processes to implement efficiencies as and where appropriate.
- To manage and oversee projects as agreed by the Headteacher.
- To manage marketing, publicity and communications to enhance the
school’s reputation.
Finance and Business Management
- Alongside the Headteacher, to be responsible for the financial
management of the school reporting any areas of concern immediately to the
Headteacher.
- To ensure the Headteacher is aware of all aspects of the school’s
financial responsibilities and risks and to respond to queries and challenges to
the Headteacher.
- To monitor and control income and expenditure in relation to the
school budget.
- To ensure the school makes the best possible use of resources
through effective Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP),
considering all financial and other resource implications.
- To negotiate, manage and monitor contracts, tenders and
agreements, in line with the financial management procedures.
- To seek best value in terms of services being of a good standard
for the school, fit for purpose and making use of collaborative purchasing
where possible.
- To identify grant and other income opportunities to further the
school’s aims.
- To ensure that all financial regulations applicable to school are
adhered to and that good practice is followed.
- To be responsible for maintaining a record of all school Service
Level Agreements (SLAs).
Whole School Administration
- To review and
develop the administrative support structure to meet current and future needs
of the school.
- To manage the
school functions relating to administrative duties; ICT facilities;
reprographics; storage and security of pupil records and financial documentation
and telephone systems.
- To promote
and maintain good relationships with all staff, school services, contractors,
visitors and parents/carers
- To ensure
that all school records and data are maintained in line with General Data
Protection Regulations (GDPR).
- To act as
correspondent for the Department of Education and to be responsible for the
records and returns required.
- To be
responsible for the recruitment and management of office, ICT and site
staff.
- To supervise
the work of the administrative team, ensuring that they are trained to a high
standard. Management of Information Systems & ICT.
- To line
manage the Network/ ICT Manager
to ensure resources, support and training are provided to enable staff to make
the best use of available ICT including teaching, learning and assessment
systems.
- To coordinate, alongside the Network/ ICT Manager and
Computing team, a strategy for using technology aligned to the School Development Plan.
- To
communicate the relevant policies, including GDPR, for use of technology across
the school.
- To coordinate
processes to ensure that contingency plans are in place in the case of
technology failure.
- To ensure the school website is up to date and compliant at all times.
Human Resource Management
- To lead on
all in-school HR issues.
- To seek and
make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues.
- To ensure
that all recruitment, appraisal, staff development, grievance, disciplinary and
redundancy policies and procedures comply with legal and regulatory
requirements.
- To be
responsible for the professional development, appraisal and training of
administrative, ICT, and site staff.
- To maintain
confidential staff records, and ensure that staff records held in the school
are kept confidential, adhering to GDPR legislation.
- To advise the
Headteacher on HR policies, ensuring that policies are updated.
- To manage the
recruitment process for all staff and the election of Local Governing Board (LGB) members; manage the DBS documentation for all staff and LGB members; maintain a database of all LGB members details including their
terms of office.
Premises Management
- To manage
health and safety issues specific to the school and be aware of how they relate
to pupils, staff, visitors and contractors.
- To line
manage the Site Managers to ensure the smooth running of school premises maintenance, refurbishment and development programmes of the
school premises and grounds.
- To have an
oversight of the duties of the Site Managers and monitor their tasks and
performance.
- To oversee
the purchasing, repairs and maintenance of all furniture and fittings to ensure
the continuing availability of all necessary utilities, site services and
equipment.
- To ensure
that regular statutory testing is recorded and overseen by Site Managers, with
clear documentation and costs.
- To oversee
the lettings of the school premises to outside organisations.
- To coordinate
an effective and comprehensive disaster recovery plan and lockdown procedures
and to operate the elements within the documentation.
- To implement
risk management and loss prevention strategies in the school to reduce
insurance costs.
- To lead on
the procurement of contracts for ancillary services including the catering and grounds maintenance contracts, researching for best value;
liaising with other partnership schools to negotiate better bargaining power;
preparing appropriate tender documentation and overseeing the subsequent
tendering process.
- To ensure all
such ancillary and contracted services are monitored and managed effectively.
Health & Safety
- To be the
school’s Health and Safety Lead, including Fire Officer.
- To be
instrumental in the Health and Safety Network Group and any related network
groups supported by the Leadership team.
- To ensure the health and safety policy is implemented and that all school staff
are aware of the policy.
- To ensure
that all health and safety documentation is up to date and accurate and is communicated to staff
regularly, including writing risk assessments and the identification of hazards.
- To liaise
with the SENDCo to ensure that statutory obligations are met relating
to pupils with special educational needs.
- To manage
statutory testing documentation, provide timely reports to the Headteacher and
to keep up to date with premises regulation and training.
- To work
closely with the Chair of LGB and Headteacher before each committee meeting to
prepare a purposeful agenda; to monitor regular legislative requirements and to
close off actions prior to all meetings.
- To oversee
the smooth running of the termly LGB member visits.
- To ensure
that a record of business interests is maintained and reviewed annually.
All Staff
Will
- Promote equality of opportunity
- Follow Safeguarding and Child
Protection policy/procedures
- Contribute to producing/delivering
priorities in the School Development Plan
- Keep their own performance under
review, contributing to monitoring, evaluation and review and participate in
performance management/appraisal
- Promote positive attitudes and
behaviour
- Contribute to the smooth day to day
running of the school
- Be committed to achieving the school
values
- Respond promptly to concerns from
parents/carers, staff or students
- Promote the school within the
community
- Work in partnership with all
colleagues including the Local Governing Board
- Support Code of Conduct for staff
- Have regard for and act in accordance
with Health and Safety policy/practice
- Celebrate success of pupils and staff