School Business Operations Manager

Job Title: School Business Operations Manager

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter

Salary & Benefits: £59,000 to £68,000 + 19.8% pension contribution and exceptional benefits

Location: Bromley, BR1

MLK Education Search is excited to support this South-East London based, vibrant 11–18 school community with a relentless focus on high expectations and aspirations in its search for the next Business Operations Manager to join, plan, develop and deliver on all business aspects of the Academy.

You will take a strategic lead in maintaining and managing the budget and finances of the Academy, ensuring the Academy meets its educational aims and objectives. You'll be leading; Finance, Human Resources, Administration, Admissions, Health & Safety, Facilities & Premises Management.

The successful applicant will be a key member of the Senior Leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Principal, supporting them in driving improvements - ensuring the most effective use of resources to support the School’s Development Plan.

If you can develop a deep understanding of the Academy's needs, tailor their approach to each situation, have excellent communication skills, an enthusiasm for achieving targets, an ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and very good IT literacy then this role is for you!

Key Responsibilities

• Be a part of the Senior Leadership Team, to strategically manage all non-academic functions of the Academy, including HR, Administration, Finance, Facilities and Premises and Health and Safety.
• Drive improvements in the school in line with the school development plan
• Assist with the creation of the budget and ensuring the agreed budget is delivered
• Ensure all finance policies are adhered to and to procure the best resources and services for the school
• Promote best practice and ensure compliance with procurement processes securing “best value” in all areas
• Oversee HR and operationally manage the HR Advisor and HR Administrator to ensure all records are accurate, including checking payroll
• Ensure the Single central register is compliant and up to date
• Manage the Academy’s Immigration Sponsor Licenses process
• Be responsible for the training and personal development for all non-education support staff
• Have oversight and management of the whole school administrative function
• Manage the Academy’s risk and business continuity
• Manage and review allocated policies
• Line manage the Facilities Manager, to ensure the facilities team are meeting all statutory requirements
• Ensure the premises and facilities provide the best possible safe, educational and working environment within the budget available and in line with Health and Safety requirements
• Manage building projects to ensure they are within budget, completed to a high standard and in line with Health and Safety requirements
• Have oversight and management of site security, maintenance and insurances
• Ensure the Health and Safety Policy and Risk Assessment are implemented at all times and are subject to review and assessment at regular intervals or as situations change
• Ensure systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of Health and Safety issues to the Executive Principal and where appropriate the Trust H&S Manager
• Oversee facilities lettings to increase income and business opportunities
• Manage external contractors to ensure SLAs are met including catering and cleaning
• Oversee the management of the Academy’s asset register
• Oversee and manage the Academy’s IT function
• Liaise with the Director of IT to review technology across the Academy and introduce new technology or improve existing technology for different purposes
• Act as the Academy’s Data Protection Officer and ensure GDPR is implemented

Key Requirements

• Degree or equivalent, or significant experience demonstrating managerial skills
• Successful school-based experience is essential
• Experience working across a partnership of schools or within a Multi-Academy Trust setting is highly desirable
• Experience in practical aspects of business planning and organisational management
• Can demonstrate substantial experience in leading and managing people in multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in creating and managing budgets
• Competent at using Microsoft Office packages, a skilled and regular user of Word and Excel for the production of office work, intermediate (or better) user of the Microsoft Office suite
• Be able to think on your feet, react quickly and effectively in sensitive situations
• Use your initiative continuously to communicate confidently and effectively with all stakeholders
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and handle a diverse workload
• Knowledge of facilities and premises management including health and safety requirements and legislation
• Ability to create reports to monitor KPIs
• Skilled in the presentation of documents for professional audiences
• Excellent Numeracy / Literacy skills

Benefits

• Excellent salary and benefits
• Pension Scheme
• Season Ticket Loans
• Ride to Work and Cycle to Work Schemes
• Staff Development
• Well-being
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Learning
• Perkbox

If you can develop a deep understanding of the Academy's needs, tailor their approach to each situation, have excellent communication skills, an enthusiasm for achieving targets, an ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and very good IT literacy then please APPLY NOW!

Alternatively, please contact me on:

T: 07793 209 744

E: Greg.Bookman@MLK-Search.co.uk

*Please note, we are not able to provide sponsorship for these placements*