St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School

School Business Manager

Salary: H7-H8

Hours: 37.5 hours per week TTO Plus 2 weeks

Reporting to: Head teacher

Purpose of job

·  The School Business Manager (SBM) is the school’s leading support staff professional and works as part of the senior leadership team (SLT) and the Headteacher to assist in their duty to achieve their duty to achieve their educational vision and maximise pupil achievement.

·  The SBM provides professional leadership and management of school administration and premises staff to support the high standard of teaching and learning in the school

·  The School Business Manager (SBM) will carry out their role in a manner which promotes the Catholic ethos of the school and supports the school’s Mission Statement

·  The SBM promotes the highest standards of business ethos within the administration function of the school and strategically ensures the most effective use of resources in support of the school’s learning objectives.

·  The SBM is responsible for the Financial Resource Management/Administration Management/Human Resource Management/Facility & Property Management/ Health & Safety Management of the school

Leadership and Management

·  Negotiate and influence strategic decision making within the school as part of the SLT, attending appropriate SLT & governor meetings.

·  In the absence of the Headteacher, take delegated responsibility for financial and other decisions in conjunction with other senior leadership colleagues.

·  Plan and manage change in accordance with School improvement & other strategic plans

·  Lead and manage the administration and premises teams.

Financial Resource Management

·  Evaluate information and consult with the SLT and Governors to prepare an accurate, realistic and balanced three years school budget within required timescales and considering value for money, benchmarking, priorities and trends.

·  Work with the Headteacher to prepare and submit the proposed budget to Governors for approval and assist the overall financial planning process, submit approved budget to HCC

·  Monitor expenditure, identify and inform the Headteacher and Governors of the causes of significant variance, take prompt corrective action, proposing budget revisions if necessary.

·  Provide ongoing budgetary/expenditure information to budget holders

·  Manage all school accounts in accordance with statutory and financial regulations and best practices

·  Manage the safe custody and recording of all receipts and payments including cash, cheques and on –line payments.

·  Ensure procurement best practice is followed and procedures are regularly reviewed

·  Manage the risk of fraud and theft, advising the Headteacher and Governors if fraudulent activities are suspected or uncovered.

·  Proactively seek and manage additional finance streams including fundraising, bids and asset-management processes.

·  Maintain secure, efficient procedures with the relevant staff to ensure best value is achieved through rigorous monitoring and regular reviews.

·  Update and maintain financial policies according to the policy schedule

·  Develop and maintain a critical incident recovery plan

·  Maintain the school asset inventory

Administration Management

·  Lead the whole school administrative team to ensure that the office provides an excellent service to all stakeholders and is an excellent advert for the school

·  Design and maintain effective and efficient business management, data management and reporting systems and processes that deliver outcomes based on the school’s aims and goals. Establish and embed effective methods to continually review and improve systems.

·  Define responsibilities, information and support for staff and other stakeholders.

·  Benchmark systems and information to assess trends and make appropriate recommendations.

·  Validate information for publications and returns for the LA, DfE, Diocese and other agencies within statutory guidelines.

Marketing and Admissions

·  Oversee the preparation and publication of school marketing and communication materials including the school website

·  Monitor and maintain the admissions process ensuring the school admission criteria is in accordance with Diocese and statutory arrangements of the admissions code.

·  To promote the public’s perspective of the school by helping to organise tours to prospective parents / visitors / prospective staff.

·  Liaise and support the work of the Friends.

Management Information Systems & ICT

·  Consider new and emerging technologies to streamline, extend and support school business processes and provide value for money

·  Liaise with the ICT outsourced contractors to ensure that service levels are maintained.

·  Consider approaches for existing use and future plans to introduce or discard technology in the school

·  Consult with relevant people and other parties to introduce new technology or improve existing technology for different purposes.

·  Ensure compliance with data protection legislation.

Human Resource Management

·  Manage the payroll services for all staff

·  Ensure compliance of Disclosure barring Service (DBS) checking processes and other safeguarding procedures are in place, resulting in safer recruitment practices.

·  Ensure all appraisal, staff development, grievance, disciplinary and redundancy policies and procedures comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

·  Manage performance management, appraisal and development for all administrative, premises and Senior MSA staff.

·  Monitor the relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements and the effect they have on the school and staff.

·  Ensure staff understands the policies and procedures and the importance of putting them into practice, monitor the implementation and provide support where necessary.

·  Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to Human Resource issues.

·  Review the responsibilities of all direct reports and resources in context of the changing needs of the school including skills, knowledge, understanding and experience required to undertake existing and future activities.

Facilities & Property Management

·  Ensure the safe maintenance and secure operation of all school premises and compliance with all relevant statutory requirements

·  Using strategic asset management and preventative maintenance plans manage the premises maintenance including the purchase and repair of all furniture and fittings

·  Ensure the supervision of relevant planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with contractual obligations.

·  Ensure the continuing and economic availability of utilities, site services and equipment.

·  Follow sound practices in estate management and grounds maintenance.

·  Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services including catering.

·  Ensure an environment for the stakeholders of the school to provide a safe, secure and attractive environment conducive to high standards of learning.

·  Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations for the generation of income, development of extended services and local community requirements.

·  Seek professional advice on insurance and advise Governors on appropriate insurance for the school and implement and manage such schemes accordingly.

Health & Safety Management

·  Taking the lead on compiling and implementing a Premises Development Plan, including energy conservation.

·  Ensure the maximum level of security and safety within the school to provide a safe and secure environment for all pupils, staff and visitors and consistent with the ethos of the school

·  Develop an organisational culture in which Health and Safety are prioritised and inform strategy, planning and decision-making.

·  Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to manage Health and Safety.

·  Act as the school’s Health & safety Co-ordinator and Fire Officer.

·  Plan, instigate and ensure records of fire practices, alarm test and safety testing for specific equipment are maintained.

·  Ensure the school’s written health & safety policy statement is clearly communicated and available to all people. Ensure it is implement at all times, put into practice and is subject to review and assessment at regular intervals or as situation changes

·  Ensure systems are in place to identify, record and monitor hazards and risk assessments for all aspects of school life including loss prevention strategies.

·  Ensure systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of health and safety issues to the SLT, Governors and where appropriate the Health and Safety Executive.

·  Leading on development of school’s critical incident plan and manage the elements linked to the resource management responsibility.

·  Oversee statutory obligations to ensure they are being met for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, ensuring that financial and supporting agency services are adequate for their diverse needs.

The Job description has been reviewed and any significant changes will be undertaken in full consultation with the post holder. The role may develop and change depending on the changing needs of the school.

Post Holder Signature: ...... Date

Line Manager Signature: ...... Date

Person Specification: School Business Manager

Essential / Desirable
Educational Achievements Qualifications and Training / ·  NVQ level 4 or equivalent qualification relevant to a business management role.
·  Evidence of Continuing Professional Development. / ·  Recognised management/business degree or equivalent related professional qualification
·  CSBM and/or DSBM qualification
·  Member of NASBM or NAHT
Experience / ·  Managing and developing strategic financial and business plans.
·  Managing and setting budgets, data analysis, financial reporting, procurement and fixed assets.
·  Leadership and Management of Teams.
·  Managing change projects.
·  Managing Health & Safety.
·  Project management experience. / ·  Working within an educational environment.
·  Business Management in a school
·  Generation of income
·  Reporting to stakeholders, both verbally and in writing
Job related knowledge, aptitudes and skills / ·  Knowledge of good financial practice and systems.
·  Able to deliver services and systems applicable for effective school management.
·  Commitment to working with the SLT and governors to achieve their educational vision and maximise pupil achievement.
·  Able to identify and deliver value for money initiatives.
·  Understand national & regional educational services and deliver appropriate strategies.
·  Able to lead teams and individuals and manage performance.
·  Able to strategically support decision making within the school.
·  Able to use a range of ICT packages and adapt to changes in technology including Sims FMS
·  Knowledge of Buildings Maintenance and Health and Safety Legislation.
·  Knowledge of HR and Employment Law within an educational environment.
·  Knowledge of relevant legislation (Equal Opportunities, Data Protection).
·  Knowledge of Procurement.
Personal qualities / ·  Sensitivity, flexibility, enthusiasm and a sense of humour.
·  Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills including influencing and negotiating skills
·  A commitment to teamwork and the ability to promote the qualities required for effective teamwork.
·  The resilience and organisational skills to manage one’s own work pressure whilst remaining calm and the capacity to manage effectively the work of others using an inclusive management style
·  A passion for continuously working to improve own and team performance.
·  A commitment to actively model and promote the Catholic ethos of the school community and willingness to contribute to the broader life of the school.
·  Flexibility to adjust to any changes in job duties as required.
Equal Opportunities / ·  An understanding of and commitment to equality and Equal Opportunities in staff recruitment, training and day to day practice.