EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MANAGER
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
WELCOME LETTER Thank you very much for your interest in becoming United Learning’s next Executive Business Manager for the South East London cluster which currently includes Bacon’s College, Sedgehill Academy and The John Roan School. This is a very key appointment for us, and one which has real impact across the 3 schools and the wider business. United Learning is deeply committed to the progress and success of all children and young people. We believe in serving local communities through creating excellent schools, which provide outstanding education and serve all children in the area. We have excellent schools, and a commitment to continued improvement as well as great potential for further growth and development. We aim to enable all schools to achieve more through being part of the group than they could on their own.
As Executive Business Manager, your role will be to provide high quality and efficient business support to the cluster schools and work with the wider business including working with your counterparts on group level initiatives. This is a role which I expect to be challenging, but also deeply rewarding for a passionate and dynamic business professional who is looking for a new challenge and the potential to make a significant impact. We look forward to reviewing your application and thank you in advance for showing your interest in this exciting role.
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WELCOME LETTER
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ABOUT UNITED LEARNING
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JOB DESCRIPTION
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THE CANDIDATE
Best wishes,
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APPLICATION PROCESS
Katie Gillam Regional Director
ABOUT UNITED LEARNING
Our Schools portfolio spans the country and comprises of both independent and state schools, who work together for mutual benefit. All of our schools are inclusive and welcome children of all abilities, backgrounds, and faiths, giving over 55,000 children an inspiring education. Three such institutions are Bacon’s College, Sedgehill Academy and The John Roan School, which form the South East London Cluster. Through being a group, we can offer more to both staff and young people than any single school could offer alone. Our approach is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond the organisation, in the interests of young people everywhere. We seek to improve the life chances of all the children and young people we serve and make it our mission to bring out ‘the best in everyone’ – students, staff, parents and the wider community.
BACON’S COLLEGE
SEDGEHILL ACADEMY
JOHN ROAN SCHOOL
“The best in everyone – courage, compassion, respect, faith and integrity.”
“We believe that with hard work, kindness,
“Our PRIDE ethos represents what we expect of everyone in our school community – Proud, Respectful, Involved, Determined and Excellent.”
integrity and excellence our students will find success.”
JOB DESCRIPTION
▪ Present timely and fully costed proposals, recommendations, or bids. ▪ Plan and manage change in accordance with each Academy’s development/strategic plan. ▪ Ensure that all resources are managed effectively and efficiently. ▪ Lead and manage the key support functions in each Academy. ▪ Take a lead role in bringing new schools into the cluster, if necessary, together with Central Office colleagues. Finance Provide overall leadership to finance staff in each Academy, with support and advice from the Finance Business Partner, other specialists and senior managers within the central Finance and Strategic Planning teams; and in particular to: ▪ Develop and monitor the 5-year long-term financial strategy in each Academy. ▪ Line manage the Business Managers/Finance Teams within the Cluster. ▪ Supervise the preparation of each Academy’s annual budget for central office in consultation
JOB TITLE:
Executive Business Manager
support functions in each Academy; developing high performing support teams which are highly motivated and focussed on the education outcomes and strategic vision of each Academy and the Cluster as a whole. They will liaise with United Learning central services to ensure that these functions provide value added support and advice to the Cluster in a timely and professional way. They will be a member of each Academy SLT and contribute fully to Academy Development Plans and the 5-year strategic planning cycle across the Cluster. They will actively promote the values of United Learning, our Framework for Excellence and the distinct culture and ethos of each Academy. They will have the highest regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of staff, children and young people. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Strategy ▪ Negotiate and influence strategic decision making within each Academy’s Senior Management/Leadership Team and Governing Body.
overview of emerging Cluster development plans. ▪ Oversee the monthly management of forecasts against the agreed annual budgets and prepare management reports and analysis for the SLT and LGB as requested. ▪ Be responsible for the overall leadership of each Academy’s accounting function and the staff working in that function, ensuring efficient operation in line with agreed procedures, and maintaining those procedures by conducting at least an annual review. ▪ Securing value for money through competitive tendering and effective supplier management, in cooperation with central office as necessary. Uncovering additional purchasing potential that can be achieved through collaboration and group procurement. ▪ Ensuring that each Academy has access to available external funding and resources, including income generation through bid writing, lettings, and other activities within the ethos of the Academies.
REPORTS TO: Regional Director (and indirectly to Director of Finance for Academies)
RESPONSIBLE FOR: School and Cluster based staff in the following functions: ▪ Finance ▪ Human resources ▪ Office administration ▪ Estates management ▪ Health and safety ▪ Marketing and pupil numbers ▪ Information Technology (including telephony) ▪ Compliance, Governance and GDPR JOB PURPOSE To deliver a high quality and efficient business support service to all Academies in the Cluster, ensuring that day to day operational functions are effectively managed and providing strategic and visionary leadership. OVERVIEW The post-holder will provide overall leadership and some line management to the business
with the SLT and LGB, in line with each Academy’s development plan but with an
Marketing and Communications Plan, which retains both the United Learning brand and the distinctive local Academy brand. Information Technology Provide leadership in the Academies’ use of Information Technology to ensure effectiveness and efficiency across all functions of the business, working with the London IT cluster service. ▪ Participate fully in regular steering processes to ensure that the IT Service remains effective. ▪ Contribute to the strategic management and reshaping of the service as necessary (e.g. participating in recruitment to senior roles). ▪ Provide operational management of the senior members of the IT Service, to ensure its response to day-to-day issues and requirements is suitable and agile. ▪ Work with the IT Service Manager to oversee the creation and delivery of an IT refresh strategy. ▪ Oversee adherence to the Trust’s data standards. Policies and compliance ▪ Support the designated data protection leads in each Academy and ensure compliance with GDPR in all areas across the Academies. ▪ Ensure that finance, HR, IT and estates policies are up to date (aligned to United Learning policies) and implemented across the Academies. Other ▪ The post holder is expected to split their working time between each Academy in the cluster, and to periodically attend meetings or training at other United Learning schools or locations, therefore an element of travel is required within the role ▪ This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the successful candidate is expected to be flexible and proactive in meeting the needs of each Academy. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and the post holder must be committed to safeguarding the welfare of children.
Human Resources ▪ Line manage Cluster HR staff. ▪ Support the development and monitoring of a long-term people strategy for each Academy and across the Cluster in consultation with the SLT and LGBs, taking strategic and professional advice from the HR Business Partner; other specialists and senior managers within the central People team as needed. ▪ Develop staffing structures within each Academy and across the Cluster that support the efficient and optimum use of all staff (teaching and support), using the Curriculum– based Modeller and advice from the HR and Finance Business Partners. ▪ Take overall leadership for the Academy and Cluster HR support service, ensuring its efficient operation according to agreed procedures including in particular: ▪ Ensuring that each Academy has an up to date and accurate Single Central Record and that this is reviewed and audited regularly to ensure it is “inspection ready” at all times. Ensuring that all annual staff returns are collated and retained as required, i.e. ICT acceptable usage policy, pecuniary interest declarations. ▪ Promoting best practice in people management and all aspects of the employee lifecycle in line with United Learning policies and guidance; and ensuring compliance with employment legislation. ▪ Ensuring the SLT and LGB is rigorous in reviewing the HR data dashboards available to them and addressing areas of concern or continuous improvement, including staff survey outcomes. ▪ Ensuring that appropriate systems are in place for recording and storing confidential staff records and information in line with the Data Protection Act/GDPR. ▪ Actively engaging in group wide projects which impact on the retention and wellbeing of our staff, including the annual staff survey, wellbeing programme, United Rewards and other projects and initiatives included in the group People strategy. ▪ Ensuring the Academies and Cluster are actively involved in CPD, talent spotting and succession planning to support the progression and retention of staff through robust CPD plans for all staff that maximise available funding i.e. apprenticeship CPD via the levy.
Office Administration Provide overall leadership to Office Managers and administrative staff in each Academy to ensure the provision of efficient and professional administration and reception functions, and in particular to: ▪ Ensure that appropriate processes and systems are in place for filing and record keeping, in line with statutory requirements, Safeguarding, GDPR, and the Data Protection Act. Estates Management To provide overall leadership to Site Managers and staff in each Academy, and work with the central Estates team to ensure that all areas of the Academy estates, asset management and facilities management are well led and maintained, including in particular: ▪ Assisting with the preparation of maintenance and capital expenditure plans. ▪ Ensuring the provision of appropriate cleaning and catering services, grounds maintenance and planned preventative maintenance to ensure compliance and well-maintained buildings (whether run in school or by external providers). ▪ Ensuring that all facilities management activities are efficiently and effectively managed across the cluster and the individual schools. Health and Safety Provide leadership to Health and Safety Leads in each Academy and work with the Group Health and Safety Manager, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and students and the implementation of the Group H&S policies, in particular by: ▪ Carrying out periodic monitoring exercises/topic audits and investigating accidents/incidents of significance and communicate findings across the Cluster and to the Group Health and Safety Manager ▪ Meeting termly with the H&S Coordinators, Heads and Site staff in each Academy to evaluate needs, training requirements and areas of concern and provide this information as necessary to the Group H&S Manager. Marketing Provide leadership to Marketing Leads in each Academy, as well as working with the central office Marketing team, to maximise stakeholder engagement and pupil and staffing recruitment, in particular by: ▪ Ensuring that each Academy has an effective
THE CANDIDATE
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS • A recognised relevant qualification in any the following fields – accountancy (ACA,CIMA or ACCA) Human Resources (CIPD Level 5 or Level 7) or School Business Management (Level 4/ 5 or Level 6) • Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject. • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE • A track record of managing and motivating staff, with proven ability to create a united and highly effective team. The ability to lead and motivate staff within a performance management framework. • Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders. • Knowledge and experience of managing procurement, contracts for services etc. • Experience leading and/or managing budgeting and reporting processes in an organisation. • Working as a member of a Senior Management Team, where the contribution of wider strategy and policymaking has been essential. • Prior experience of working in an educational business management environment, including finance, HR and other aspects of operations. • Knowledge of working in a financial environment. • Experience delivering change management programmes and multiple key projects.
• Experience of delivering input into the organisation of other areas central to school operations, e.g. pastoral services, health and safety and EVC. • Experience of having contributed to policy and structure formulation, implementation, evaluation, and review. SKILLS, BEHAVIOURS AND QUALITIES • A vision that is aligned with United Learning’s high aspirations and high expectations of self and others. • Sharing the values of United Learning, particularly Respect, Determination and Ambition. • Committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. • A forensic use of data to diagnose weaknesses that need addressing, and the ability to effectively action plan to raise performance. • An effective leadership and management style that encourages participation, innovation and develops colleagues’ confidence. • 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. • Confident and self-motivated. • The ability to work well under pressure and manage conflicting demands. • Flexibility and willingness to be adaptable.
BENEFITS The package includes an attractive salary, 6 weeks annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, optional private healthcare with BUPA, and access to flexible rewards. We are open to requests for flexible working and we encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.
APPLICATION PROCESS 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: Melanie Pye E: melanie.pye@schoolsleadership.com M: 07530 734 568 Eshe Muhammad E: eshe.muhammad@schoolsleadership.com M: 07355 093 391
To apply, please send your application consisting of a CV and supporting statement to Melanie Pye.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 12th October 2023
First Stage Interviews: Friday 20th October 2023
United Learning 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. United Learning 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.
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