What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you a highly motivated professional looking for an exciting new challenge? The ONE (Owl North East) Trust, a vibrant multi-academy trust, are looking for a School Business Manager to join our friendly team, based at one of our primary schools – West Denton Primary. This is a full-time position.

This is your chance to make a significant impact within one of the schools within our trust. We are seeking individuals who are ready to bring their energy and expertise to our innovative educational environment.

If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a real difference in the education sector, we want to hear from you!

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Strategic Planning: Strong analytical and planning skills.
• Finance: Expertise in financial management, budgeting and reporting.
• Human Resources: Proficiency in Human Resource management and staff coordination.
• Estate Management: Ability to manage facilities, building projects and resolve issues.
• Administration: Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Marketing and Liaison: Effective communication and networking abilities.
• General: Commitment to equality, safeguarding and maintaining a safe environment.

Please see below for a full job description and person specification.

We would like to hear from those candidates who believe they can demonstrate the characteristics and skills we are looking for and hold the relevant experience/qualifications to meet the demands of this post.

You will be based at West Denton Primary School. At the request of ONE Trust, you may be required to conduct your duties elsewhere to facilitate learning or social activities off the school premises. The Trust reserves the right to change your area of work, temporarily or otherwise, as may be required, subject to reasonable notice and prior consultation with you.

Job Description

Strategic Planning

• To ensure the school makes the best possible use of resources through effective strategic planning.

Finance

• To ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook in schools.
• To prepare budgets, prepare reports for local governing bodies, as well as track performance to budget during trust monthly business reviews.
• Prepare appraisals for delegated projects and to plan for the future development of the school in line with the school development plan ensuring best value at all times.
• Bid for sponsorship funding by developing contacts and raising the school profile.
• Plan and maintain budgets and oversee spend and hold budget holders to account.

Human Resources

• To manage some support staff where applicable and liaise with Human Resources when queries arise.
• To arrange cover for teaching staff during planned/unplanned absences.
• To develop and maintain an accurate Single Central Record.

Estate Management

• Respond to security alerts along with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher.
• To manage facilities services such as the meal service, cleaning and caretaking.
• Take an active role in liaising with architects and contractors during any building projects to ensure that the project runs to plan and making sure that contract files are maintained.
• Ensure any snagging problems are followed up to the school’s satisfaction.
• Manage any lettings of the school premises to outside agencies.

Whole School Administration

• To manage the administrative function, including the admin and ICT facilities, school reception, reprographics, records and telephones.
• Marketing and communication responsibilities
• To help promote the school to parents, partners and the local community.
• To liaise with local businesses for fundraising, arranging vocational experience and joint projects.

General

• To promote and implement the School’s Equality Policy in all aspects of employment and service delivery.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people s/he is responsible for or comes into contact with
• To assist in maintaining a healthy, safe and secure environment and to act in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures

Person Specification

Ideal Candidate Skills:

• Resilient Attitude: Bring your expertise in Finance, Procurement, Estates Management, or Human Resources to the forefront, showcasing your robust and adaptable mindset.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Shine in a flexible, agile work environment with strong decision-making skills and a collaborative ethos that drives success.
• Tech-Savvy: Utilise your Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, to streamline and enhance our administrative processes.
• Educational Experience: While previous experience in an educational environment is preferred, it's not essential—your ability to adapt and thrive is what counts.
• Qualified Professional: Preferably, to hold a relevant business qualification and be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development.
• Financial Software Expertise: Experience with IRIS financial software is a plus, highlighting your capability to manage complex financial systems.
• Managing Innovative Projects: Engage in groundbreaking projects that shape the future of our schools, contributing to your professional growth and making a real impact.
• Networking: Build valuable connections with educational professionals and local businesses, expanding your professional network and opening doors to new opportunities.

What the school offers its staff

West Denton is a welcoming and supportive school. We are passionate about ensuring our school meets its potential, and you would be part of making that happen.

Why Join Us?

• Be Part of Something New: Help shape the future of our school and multi-academy trust from the ground up.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Thrive in a role that offers variety and the opportunity to work with a passionate team.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): Childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Medical, Online and social media, Prohibition from teaching, Right to work, Satisfactory references, Suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.