South Hampstead High School
Director of Finance and Operations
Candidate Information Pack
Welcome
This opportunity to join South Hampstead High School, a leading London independent girls’ School, as our DFO is an extremely exciting one. We are seeking someone who is able to deliver outstanding analytical and strategic skills when it comes to the running of the School’s finances and operational activity. But this is a role which stretches beyond these operational and financial elements. If successful, you will be joining our senior leadership team as one of the most senior people in that group. This role offers the chance to work very closely with the Head as well as the capacity to line manage a significant team who play a central role in the smooth operations of the School. You will also have responsibility for two wonderful School sites, our Junior and Senior Schools, as well as an outstanding sports ground, all of which require someone to oversee their development with a vision for excellence. South Hampstead has a reputation for innovation and forward- thinking; we want this to be reflected in our facilities and educational offering. We are also searching for someone who understands and appreciates the purpose of single sex education for girls and the importance of putting the needs of our students at the heart of decision-making. One of the benefits of this position is that you join a School which is part of the GDST, an organisation which has been a leader in girls’ education for 150 years. The successful candidate will have the ability to liaise effectively with the GDST and will be keen to contribute to the overall success of the organisation. Perhaps most importantly of all, the successful candidate will share our belief in the importance of the community at our School and the fact that we want to preserve and develop the incredible sense of warmth, energy and happiness which is at the heart of South Hampstead. Our motto is ‘mehr licht’, meaning more light, and we hope that the successful candidate will want to bring an illuminating, inspired and dedicated approach to every aspect of this pivotal role within our leadership structure. As the Head, I thank you for your interest in South Hampstead and look forward to receiving your application.
A truly outstanding education opens doors, hearts, and minds. That is exactly what we aim to do at South Hampstead, one of the UK’s pre-eminent schools. We welcome girls aged 4 to 18 from across London and focus on enabling all our pupils not just to succeed, but to thrive – intellectually and personally.” “
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Welcome About GDST About South Hampstead High School Job Description Person Specification Benefits How to Apply
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Mrs Anna Paul, BA (Dunelm), Head
About GDST The Girls’ Day School Trust is the UK’s leading family of independent girls’ Schools. In all our schools, academic excellence is a given – at the GDST we develop character beyond the curriculum. The GDST is a charitable trust which owns and operates 25 Schools across England and Wales. Our Schools are girls only, with the GDST ethos to ‘reach as many girls as possible’ permeating everything we do. Most Schools are Junior, Senior and Sixth Form, with some having nurseries as well; one of the schools offers boarding as well as day education. Learn more about GDST
About SHHS South Hampstead High School’s mission is to open doors, hearts, and minds. The School’s crest, the torch, and its motto, ‘Mehr Licht’ (more light), symbolise the importance placed on sparking a lifelong love of learning. Founded by the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) in 1876, it is one of the most prominent Schools in the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ Schools and academies.
A selective independent School for girls aged between 4 and 18 years, with 965 girls, including 186 in the Sixth Form and 266 in the Junior School, the School has been at the very forefront of girls’ education since its inception.
The School, located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, is one of the country’s pre-eminent girls’ day Schools. South Hampstead draws confidence from, and takes pride in, its long and impressive academic heritage. Equally, it is forward-thinking and has always responded effectively to the changing needs of education and society. The School underwent a major re-development in 2014 and its buildings now offer an outstanding learning environment and state-of-the-art facilities – the perfect blend of the original Victorian properties and contemporary purpose-built accommodation. The School is currently undergoing an exciting redevelopment of the Junior School sites in Netherhall Gardens. Excellent academic results place South Hampstead comfortably amongst the country’s top Schools and when pupils leave, they attend some of the most prestigious universities in the country and worldwide. Learn more about South Hampstead High School
Independent Girls’ School of the Year 2022
Job Description
Job title:
Director of Finance and Operations (DFO)
Responsible to: Responsible for:
Head
Finance, Estates, Health & Safety, HR, Administration, Domestic Services, IT & GDPR
Role Outline South Hampstead High School requires a high- performing, energetic and adaptable individual to ensure the operational smooth running of all the non-teaching aspects of this market-leading girls' day School.
Job Purpose Summary The post-holder will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, with a pivotal role in long-term strategic development and planning for the whole School. They will work closely with the Head and have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the School. The post-holder will be expected to have experience of budget preparation and of providing commercial advice and strategic support at senior level. They should offer strong operating experience and project management skills. The post will suit a team player who embraces a culture of continuous improvement and an enthusiastic, energetic, collaborative individual who has previously worked with multi- functional teams. Candidates must be able to evidence strong leadership and influencing skills and demonstrate flexibility in their approach and a good sense of humour. They should ensure that their own responsibilities are executed to support the achievement of the School and Trust's strategic objectives. This will require the post- holder to have a clear understanding of teaching and
Business Development • Sustaining and increasing non-fee income including grants and lettings in line with overarching strategic plan. • Support the Head in the preparation and presentation of Business Cases for major projects. • Assisting in the development of the School in consultation with the Head through business plans and strategic assessment. Human Resources • Management of all HR, finance, IT, premises, reception, and caretaking staff, to include the procedure for recruitment, oversight of induction, development, and performance management in line with School and GDST policies. Estates Management • Oversight of building management, maintenance, and day-to-day upkeep of all buildings, as well as grounds maintenance and building security. • Project management or any building projects and other projects as required.
Health and Safety Management • Co-ordination and development of policies to comply with the relevant requirements of the Independent Schools Inspectorate and Health and Safety legislation in conjunction with the GDST Health and Safety advisors. Catering and Housekeeping • Ensuring excellent standards of catering and cleanliness are provided to students and staff and that kitchens and equipment are well maintained and comply with Health and Safety and Hygiene regulations. • Monitoring catering and cleaning service standards and levels and regular review of performance against contract as appropriate, as well as scrutiny of financial performance against agreed budgets. Sustainability • Working with the sustainability lead to make sure sustainability is at the heart of the School’s strategies.
learning requirements and how, through their own activities and those of their staff, they will support this. In addition, the post-holder will demonstrate a strong commitment to girls' education and to the ethos of the School. The DFO will be an ambassador for the School and wider Trust within and outside the School. Main Responsibilities: Financial Management • Responsibility, in collaboration with the Head and GDST, for all of the School’s finances: • Preparation of annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and business plans. • Monthly management accounts and School payroll. • Work closely with the GDST Fees Department on fee and income related matters. • Regular review and renegotiation of tenders and contracts. • Ensuring the Head, and the Local Governing Board, are fully informed of the School's finances on a regular basis.
Person Specification The incoming individual will be a passionate and self-motivated individual who is willing to play an active role within the School and the wider community. You will be an inspiring leader to the support staff and work in partnership with the academic staff. In addition, you will be a visible and approachable face of the School with students, parents, and key internal and external stakeholders. Qualifications and Professional Memberships Essential • Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant work experience. Desirable • Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. accountancy, business management. estates management qualification or similar). • Membership of relevant professional bodies. Professional experience Essential • Proven budgetary expertise and financial acumen. • Successful senior management experience, to include strategic planning, administration, financial management and project control. • Experience of property and facilities management and/or site development. • Experience in an educational setting will be highly regarded, but the School is also keen to hear from professionals from other sectors. Personal characteristics • Practical, pragmatic, and well organised. • Able to manage a broad range of projects and issues concurrently. • Able to think and plan strategically but also troubleshoot when required. • Determination and enthusiasm to see projects through to completion. • The ability to lead and manage teams. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with a proactive, positive and flexible approach to change management. • The ability to work co-operatively and constructively within the Senior Leadership team and with all members of the School community. • The ability to learn quickly, retain information and an interest in acquiring new and often complex knowledge. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate well at all levels, including presentation skills. • A willingness to give generously of their time to support the girls, School events and activities.
Benefits
As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we offer a variety of benefits, such as: • Competitive salary and pay progression. • Competitive terms and conditions of employment. • Generous Pension Scheme. • Free access to the Bupa computer purchase loans, and travel season ticket loans. • Access to an extensive training programme and development opportunities.
• Training grants for qualifications. • Networking opportunities with other teachers across the Trust to share best practice and develop initiatives that benefit all GDST Schools. • Financial guidance and support. • Retail and lifestyle discounts.
employee assistance programme. • A discount of up to 50% on fees of children at GDST Schools. • Free School lunches during term time; ‘proper’ coffee machines; fruit Mondays and cake Fridays. • Interest-free loans for training,
How to Apply The Schools Leadership Team has been retained as our exclusive advisor for this appointment and any third party or direct applications will be forwarded to them. For a confidential discussion, please contact: Kirsty Hassan 07706 332 749 talk@schoolsleadership.com Sian Gardiner 07932 717 458 talk@schoolsleadership.com To apply, please send your application consisting of a CV and covering letter by email. Closing date for applications: Sunday 2nd June 2024 Preliminary interviews with Schools Leadership will be held: w/c 3rd June 2024 Interviews at the School will be held: w/c 10th June 2024 South Hampstead High School, a member of GDST, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all employees to share this commitment. All employees must be willing to undergo child protection training and screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. South Hampstead High School, a member of GDST, strives to be an inclusive workplace and value diversity in our team. Applications from minority ethnic colleagues and from majority ethnic colleagues who share our commitment to race equality in the education workforce are welcomed.
South Hampstead High School
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