School Business Manager

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:   School Business Manager 

Location:   Heath Farm School, Ashford TN27 0AX

Salary:       £40,000.00 to £45,000.00 per annum depending on experience

Hours:       37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:   Permanent, 52 weeks

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a School Business Manager to join our close-knit team at Heath Farm School, part of Acorn Education.

About the role

The School Business Manager (SBM) is responsible for managing the strategy and operation of the business functions of our school, including human resources, financial management, health and safety, compliance and administration. 

They will advise on and implement the day-to-day support that enables the school and college to operate effectively and efficiently, and that allows other members of the leadership team to focus on teaching and learning.

Some of the responsibilities of the School Business Manager are:

• Be responsible for line-managing Admin, Catering, Cleaning and Facilities Teams, including carrying out long-term resource planning and managing recruitment, appraisal and professional development
• Under the direction of the executive headteacher, support the executive head on all financial matters in school, to ensure the school’s successful financial performance and to ensure financial decisions are clearly linked to the school’s strategic goals.
• Ensure that recruitment, appraisal, disciplinary and grievance policies are administered in accordance with employment law
• Advise on HR issues within school and liaise with the HR Team
• In partnership with the executive headteacher, manage the school’s budget and ensure it is balanced, realistic, and represents an effective use of funds
• With the School Administration Officer, ensure that all student data is accurately recorded and maintained

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have the following experience/qualifications

• A degree - ideally in human resource, accountancy, business management or a related discipline
• A school business management qualification
• Successful leadership and management experience in a school, or in a relevant field outside education,
• previous involvement in school/business self-evaluation and improvement planning
• Line Management experience

About Us

Heath Farm is an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every pupil can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for primary pupils through to the relaxed working environment of the specialist College Provision, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.

Our pupils present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

#1