School Business Manager

You will be part of a fantastic network of Trust business administration professionals who share best practice and meet regularly to discuss challenges and opportunities. You will be supported by a central services team including specialists in Finance, HR and Buildings and Estates. Although the role carries substantial responsibility, you will not be operating alone as we believe that we can ‘Be better, together’.

The School Business Manager reports directly to the Headteacher with matrix line management to the Trust’s Head of Finance. There will also be the opportunity to become involved in Trust wide projects depending on where your expertise lies.

Key Tasks and responsibilities 

Financial strategy and management 

Ensure that Trust’s financial operating procedures are followed and all internal financial controls are consistently applied and adhered to for both the delegated School budget and the unofficial fund accounts. 

Ensure that any issues raised by the internal auditors are responded to and a detailed management response is produced and presented to the Head of Finance.  

Produce balanced budgets, management account information and financial plans for the school.

Identify any financial (or other) risks to the approved budget and agree appropriate actions with the Senior Leadership Team and/or Shared Services Team. 

Ensure that the procurement of goods and services is conducted in a controlled and effective way and delivers high quality solutions and value for money. 

Keep under review all contracts, service level agreements and licences and work with the Shared Services Team to harmonise these across all schools as opportunities arise. 

Ensure that all opportunities for income generation are considered and that robust administrative systems are implemented to mitigate any identified risks. 

Human Resources Management 

Liaise with the Head of HR and People Administrator to provide HR support and advice to the school(s) and ensure that all Trust HR policies and procedures are applied consistently. 

Approve and oversee the monthly payroll and documents and reports associated with this process.   

Work with the Senior Leadership Team and the Head of HR to review staffing structures, restructures and workforce planning in the school(s) to ensure that school improvement and streamlining is a priority.  

Ensure that all administrative elements of safer recruitment are followed. 

Ensure that all payroll and HR administrative tasks are completed by the school team.

Ensure that all staff are provided with the correct contract of employment and necessary local operational documents and policies. 

Oversee the operation of the Single Central Record, regularly audit its content and report findings to the local lead DSL and the Trust DSL. 

Facilities, premises and H&S Management 

Working with the Senior Leadership Team and with the support of the Head of Buildings and Estates agree the most effective use of Devolved formula Capital and formulate capital improvement projects and bids. 

As the Health and Safety Coordinator, monitor the H&S policy to ensure that it is implemented at all times and is reviewed annually, or more frequently if necessary, to reflect good practice and our statutory duty.   

Engender a culture of effective H&S and ensure that necessary core risk assessments are in use, regularly reviewed and communicated to all staff. 

Ensure that any issues raised by the H&S auditor or the Head of Buildings and Estates are reviewed and actioned appropriately.  

Ensure a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders which supports and facilitates effective learning.  

Ensure that the letting of school(s) premises to external organisations is managed effectively and supports the ethos of the Academy. 

Administration Management 

Lead and manage the administrative function.

Ensure that the school(s) complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act by following the Trust’s GDPR policies and procedures.  

Ensure that all data processing at the school(s) is undertaken on a lawful basis and ensure that the Academy regularly reviews the data that is held, where the data comes from and who it is shared with. 

Undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments as required. 

Ensure timely and accurate submission of statutory and statistical returns.

Oversee, review and manage contracts/service level agreements to ensure best value and delivery of contractual obligations.

Where necessary, liaise with the school(s) external IT provider to ensure IT licences are up-to-date; develop and implement the schools’ IT strategy in conjunction with the SLT and COO and ensure contingency plans are in place in the case of technology failure.

Maintenance of records in accordance with the Trust’s data retention schedule and data protection law, ensuring information security and confidentiality at all times.