Director of Finance & Business Operations

Director of Finance & Business Operations

Recruitment Information Pack

July 2012

Hall Lane, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3TG

“Working and learning together”

Director of Finance & Business Operations

Recruitment Information Pack

Contents

Letter from N Mountford, Headteacher / 3
Application Process / 4
Structure Chart / 5
Job Description / 6
Person specification / 9

Dear Applicant,

This is an extremely exciting opportunity for an ambitious person to develop their career working closely with the Headteacher and Deputy Heads on all aspects of school improvement. The Headteacher strongly supports the area of school business management and the critical important role it plays in education.

The school has embarked upon a period of major development, including a change in specialism to Humanities, development of vocational courses, radical expansion of ICT provision, the opening of a community drop in centre and a £750,000 new dining facility. In March 2012 the school converted to Academy status along with 6 other local secondary schools, creating the first Academy Partnership Trust. This partnership provides for excellent shared development across the schools.

At Harwich and Dovercourt High School we have high expectations and aspirations for our students. There is a purposeful and hardworking ethos amongst both staff and students. Over the last 4 years results have increased significantly from 38%, 5 A*-C pass rate in 2008 at GCSE to 84% in 2011. Our 5 A*-C pass rate including English and Maths has increased year on year, placing the school in the top 8% most improved schools in the country.

We are looking for a self motivated, forward thinking and dynamic Director of Finance Business Operations, who has a proven track record of working strategically within the private and public sectors, managing all aspects of finance. It is a central and highly valued role in the school and the school has invested heavily in developing a professional body of support staff. For the last 5 years the post has been part of the core Senior Leadership Team of Headteacher and 3 Deputy Heads.

As a member of the Academy’s Senior Leadership Team you will be expected to drive the strategic development of support functions as well as provide advice and insight from your previousroles into all aspects of the academy’s development plans. You will have a proven experience in the leadership and management of large teams demonstrating the ability to motivate and inspire others. A relevant professional qualification and a commitment to on-going professional development is essential.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students and all posts are subject to enhanced criminal record disclosure checks.

The Application Process

The enclosed application form should be completed and returned by post to Lindsey Clark, Personnel Manager, Harwich and Dovercourt High School, Hall Lane, Dovercourt, Essex CO12 3TG or emailed to

Relocation

Harwich and Dovercourt High School is a 11-18 mixed comprehensive school with 1200 students, servicing the area of Harwich and its surrounding villages. The school has strong links with the community, being the only secondary school in the town. It occupies a large, open site, surrounded by its own playing field and sea views.

It belongs to the Coastal Confederation and as of March 2012 is a member of North East Essex Education Partnership and Trust of 7 local independent academies committed to collegiate working. This is an attractive part of the country with excellent links to London and the Continent.

£5K Rent subsidy, Mortgage subsidy or Relocation package

£3K per annum Recruitment and Retention payment for good teachers

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the application process or need additional information please contact Justine Berkeley on 07912 347493 who is happy to discuss all aspects of the post and the school’s vision.

The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2012

Interviews will be held on 5th September 2012

HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT HIGH SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Director of Finance &Business Operations

Job Grade:Salary Range SMG1 to SMG 2

Job Salary:£49,545 to £62,160 (depending on experience)

Full time, 37 hours per week

Responsible to:Headteacher

Hours/Weeks:37 hours, 52 weeks per year

Job Purpose:To provide the overall strategic leadership and management for all aspects of finance, HR, ICT, Facilities and, support in the academy.

To ensure that the resources of the academy are deployed effectively and efficiently to achieve the educational aims of the academy.

Key Responsibilities:

Overall

To be a member of the Core Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning and decision making, leading staff training and attending Governing Body meetings.
To be responsible for all aspects of finance, HR, ICT, facilities and administration support, including catering.
To play a central role in the achievement of the educational vision of the academy.
To work with North East Essex Education Partnership to develop high quality systems and services throughout the partnership.
To keep up to date with legislation on financial, personnel and other relevant issues.

Financial

To be responsible directly to the headteacher and to the governing body for all financial and accounting procedures.
To assist the headteacher in the preparation of an annual plan and budget and to ensure achievement of the budget once approved by the governing body.
To implement and keep updated the computer based financial and management accounting systems for the academy.
To prepare management and financial accounts as required for the Senior Leadership Team, governing body and DfE
To ensure the effective implementation and operation of financial controls within the academy.
To prepare cash flow forecasts to ensure that the academy cash position is consistent with its obligations.
To assist and supervise other staff in the operation of the academy’s financial systems.
To ensure prompt and efficient completion of monthly, quarterly and annual returns, as required by the governing body and by outside bodies including DfE, Companies House and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
To act as the key contact for the annual audit of the academy’s accounts.
To maintain regular liaison with banks and auditors.

Human Resources (HR)

To ensure that the academy is compliant with all the Academy’s HR policies and procedures.
To manage all areas relating to remuneration and pay roll, including Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs queries, National Insurance, pensions and dealing with the outsourced payroll provider.
To monitor the recruitment procedure to ensure safer recruitment guidance within the Academy’s ‘Appointment Policy’ is adhered to.
To provide support to the Principal and SLT with regard to HR issues/case work such as disciplinary or capability issues, working closely with the Academy’s HR Service provider
To manager the support staff performance management process to include the development of training and development plans

Administration

To provide and manage an effective administration service to students and staff through the central administrative offices and reception.
To establish and oversee effective administrative and ICT systems and procedures for the academy, and to train and support staff to ensure that these systems and procedures are properly implemented and effectively controlled.
To deal with all insurance correspondence and communications for the academy, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed to enable insurance cover to be effective.
To ensure that the academy complies with Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation
To be centrally involved in the selection and recruitment of operational staff.
To ensure that all new staff are inducted effectively.

Purchasing and Lettings

To be responsible for the development and operation of effective purchasing and procurement systems and procedures across the academy, in line with ARK Schools and contractual arrangements.
To achieve for the academy the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation.
To manage the hire of facilities for the academy within approved procedures and guidelines.
To manage the letting of the academy’s facilities within approved procedures and guidelines to meet the vision of the academy and to maximise income.

Facilities Management and Security

Through the Premises Manager, to be responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the buildings, sports facilities and grounds
To be responsible for the development of new facilities within the academy and its grounds.
To ensure that the maintenance programmes function effectively and within the budget.
To ensure appropriate reporting, monitoring and control systems relating to the academy’s internal building fabric and furniture, including the production and maintenance of an Asset Register.
To lead on sustainability issues (such as recycling and energy efficiency) with the students and staff.
To be responsible for the management of Health and Safety (H & S) within the academy,
To project manage any capital schemes, identifying appropriate funding sources, writing proposals for expenditure and liaising with relevant personnel.

ICT

Through the IT manager, be responsible for all aspects of ICT technical support in the school, including the work of the ICT technicians.
Ensure that the IT infrastructure is kept up to date and that the Academy remains up to date with developing trends
Develop and maintain policies on IT usage and data storage

Catering

To oversee the provision of high quality daily food provision, including hospitality, in the academy in accordance with quality and cost criteria established by the SLT and governors.
To prepare monthly trading accounts to monitor the financial performance of the catering function

Other

To build professional networks relevant to the role to ensure

These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exhaustive nor exclusive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grading of the post

Person Specification

Director of FinanceBusiness Operations

Ess / Des / MOA*
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
Educated to degree level or equivalent / 
Business Management qualification or professional accountancy qualification. / 
A record of Continuing Professional Development activities / 
Well-developed ICT skills. / 
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Experience as a member of a Middle or Senior Management Team. / 
Experience and/or knowledge of schools’ education finance, HR and other aspects of education administration. / 
Knowledge and experience of financial management systems.
Experience of leading and/or managing budgeting and reporting processes in an organisation. / 
Experience of working with a range of internal and external partners, including non-finance personnel. / 
Knowledge and experience of managing procurement, contracts for services, health and safety etc. / 
Extensive experience of managing and motivating staff. / 
Experience of having contributed to policy formulation, implementation, evaluation and review. / 
SKILLS, BEHAVIOUR AND QUALITIES
Vision aligned with the academy’s high aspirations and high expectation of self and others. / 
An understanding of the strategies needed to establish consistently high aspirations and standards of results and behaviour in a challenging school setting and commitment to relentlessly implementing these strategies. / 
The ability to create a united, committed and highly effective staff team. / 
A confident and forensic use of data to inform and diagnose weaknesses that need addressing and ability to effectively action plan to raise performance. / 
An effective leadership and management style that encourages participation, innovation and develops colleagues’ confidence. / 
The ability to lead, coach and motivate staff within a performance management framework, providing professional development and effectively challenging and managing any underperformance. / 
The ability to develop the leadership skills of others as well as to learn from others. / 
Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. / 
Strong organisational and time-management skills and the ability to delegate appropriately. / 
The ability to skilfully manage and maintain effective working relationships with parents, governors, community members, external agencies and other stakeholders. / 
The ability to take personal responsibility, a readiness to reflect and self-evaluate and the ability to change, improve and develop. / 
Confidence and self-motivation. / 
The ability to work well under pressure and manage conflicting demands. / 
Flexibility and willingness to be adaptable. / 
OTHER
This post is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. / 
The post holder must be committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and to providing equality of opportunity. / 

*Method of Assessment

Key: A= Application, I=Interview and Assessment, R=Reference, C=Certificate