Job Description

Sir Graham Balfour Multi-Academy Trust
Post Title / Grade / SGB Scale point and salary range / Date
Business Manager / SGB Grade 12 / 50-54
(44,313 - £47,989) / January 2017

The duties outlined in this job description reflect the current post holder’s key roles and responsibilities. It may be modified by the Headteacher with the agreement of the post holder, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.

Sir Graham Balfour Multi-Academy Trust specific responsibilities:

The Business Manager of the (Sir Graham Balfour Multi-Academy Trust (hereafter SGB MAT) will:

  • Have overall responsibility for all financial, Human Resources (HR), Health and Safety (H&S) and Information Governance (IG) matters for the MAT and will oversee compliance by Sir Graham Balfour School and other academies as they join the Trust.
  • Provide high quality strategic financial planning to ensure the MAT makes best possible use of its resources and is able to provide the best outcomes for its pupils.
  • Be responsible to the MAT as the employer for ensuring that accurate and timely payroll transactional processing is undertaken, and work with that payroll provider to implement its web-based HR management system.
  • Support the CEO to develop MAT HR policies, procedures and paperwork, oversee their implementation and operation.
  • Be familiar with the terms and conditions of teaching and School Business Services (SBS) staff, oversee the application of TUPE to those who transferred and support the recruitment of new MAT staff.
  • Develop, implement and monitor all financial, HR, H&S and IG systems, policies, procedures and processes for the MAT and oversee their implementation at Sir Graham Balfour School and other academies as they join the MAT.
  • Using HCSS Budgeting, create strategic financial plans and budgets in line with the MAT and school development plans, undertake modelling and oversee MAT and school budgeting and budgetary control.
  • Develop a suite of monthly management reports from HCSS Accounting for the MAT and Local Governing Body (LGB), present and explain these to Board/Governors to ensure that they understand the financial position of the MAT/academy and can take appropriate action as required.
  • Operate, and ensure the MAT schools operate within their devolved delegated financial responsibility and are compliant with the Academies Financial Handbook, Statements of Recommended Practice (SORP) and MAT Financial Procedures.
  • Oversee the management of all bank accounts, investments and cash with the highest financial probity and in accordance with Company and Charity law and EFA directives.
  • Prepare and submit all financial returns e.g. AAR, Budgets etc. and ensure tax obligations are discharged correctly and on time.
  • Conduct compliant tendering and procurement processes to ensure best value is achieved for the MAT and its academies.
  • Seek ways to improve efficiency and value for money for the MAT and its academies, including streamlining processes, aggregating purchases and pursuing funding opportunities.
  • Procure and monitor comprehensive insurance cover, including teacher absence cover, and manage claims.
  • Ensure compliance with Company and Charity law, Education Funding Agency (EFA) directives and DfE requirements and ensure that the MAT Board and LGB are informed and fully conversant with any issues arising from their decisions.
  • Procure external and internal auditors, agree their programmes of work with the MAT Board, liaise and co-operate with them, ensure that reports are presented to the Board/LGB and that recommendations are followed up and acted upon.
  • Undertake the Company Secretary role for the MAT.

Sir Graham Balfour School specific responsibilities:

  • Be a member of the SGB Leadership Team and take a lead role in assessing the non-educational aspects of strategic and operational projects and plans and providing accurate and robust financial input and guidance to school decision making and business planning.
  • Prepare the school budget and five year plan, obtain Governor approval, set and monitor budgets and prepare monthly reports for Budget Holders, Leadership Group and Governors. Maintain the school staffing modeller in HCSS and advise on the financial implications of staff changes.
  • Oversee all financial operations for the school including processing orders and invoices, the collection, checking and banking of cash and other income, the operation of the school fund, timely and accurate payroll variations and checking, supporting budget holders with reports, advice and guidance, asset management, advising on financial procedures and compliance.
  • Proactively lead, manage and develop the finance and administration teams in the delivery of high quality customer service, providing information, guidance and training and encouraging ownership, flexibility and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee the School Business Services (SBS) Team in particular their professional development and their contribution towards school targets of raising pupil achievement and providing quality learning and teaching. Support their line managers as required and liaise on training and development needs.
  • Act as the H&S Coordinator for SGB school, lead the H&S Committee and ensure that participants are conversant with all aspects of school H&S through regular tours and information.
  • Undertake annual H&S self-assessments and reviews, create, monitor and review the annual action plan and prepare the annual report.
  • Ensure that the MAT H&S Policy is complied with and the school’s ‘arrangements’ are clearly communicated, implemented, reviewed and updated as necessary and all staff receive induction and ongoing training and are conversant with their responsibilities.
  • Work closely with Pell Frischmann (PF) the SGB Facilities Management provider and Staffordshire County Council (SCC) PFI colleagues, attending the monthly and annual Facilities Management meetings, ensuring that KPI’s are met, that contractual obligations are met, that the school is secure and maintained to the expected standards and issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
  • Ensure fire safety and undertake and review termly drills in conjunction with PF.
  • Monitor, review and update the information security action plan ensuring that systems and procedures are implemented and school staff are trained in the MAT Information Security policies, understand the schools’ ‘local arrangements’ and their personal responsibilities.
  • Attend and report to the Local Governing Body and the Resources, H&S and Staffing Sub Committee on all relevant matters ensuring Governors have sufficient information and advice to fully execute their responsibilities.

Wider School Responsibilities, shared by all staff of the MAT

  • To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons in the school.
  • To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
  • To be aware of, support and ensure equal opportunities for all.
  • To contribute to the overall ethos, beliefs and aims of the MAT and the school.
  • To appreciate, value and support the role of other professionals.
  • To attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
  • To participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as require.

Person Specification

Attributes / Essential
Qualifications & Training /
  • Graduate or equivalent.
  • A relevant qualification in Accountancy min level 4 eg MAAT.
  • Successful and demonstrable track record in relevant finance field.
  • Evidence of continuous Professional Development.

Knowledge & Experience /
  • Three years’ experience in Financial Management.
  • Experience of producing a variety of financial reports, including year-end reporting and detailed management accounts.
  • Excellent ability in Microsoft Excel.
  • Experience of developing effective administrative and financial systems and procedures.
  • Experience of managing, developing and motivating staff.
  • Experience of project management.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Date Protection.
  • Experience of implementing organisational change.
  • Experience of completing applications to secure funding.
Experience of translating strategic priorities into clear objectives and practical actions.
Abilities and skills /
  • Able to identify, establish and maintain excellent financial practice.
  • Clear understanding of HR and the processes, systems and structures needed to ensure a high quality professional environment for learning.
  • Excellent communicator in all mediums able to develop relationships with a range of stake holders, including colleagues, Trustees, Governors and external agencies.
  • Ability to manage people effectively and create opportunities by conducting regular meetings, setting targets for performance, delegating tasks appropriately and monitoring the quality of delivery and outcomes.
  • Manages performance robustly within an inclusive environment that values everyone’s contribution, and maintains effective relationships and team working.
  • Ensures Team members receive the resources and backing they need and are focused on the contribution they must make.
  • Handles sensitive issues constructively and confidentially to resolve conflict.
  • Ability to prioritise conflicting demands and thrive under pressure.
  • Ability to take a problem solving approach to tasks and develop well thought through, valid and financially sound solutions.
  • Understands what constitutes ‘best value’ and able to translate this into all aspects of the role.
  • Flexible and able to respond to the unexpected in a calm and reassuring manner.
  • Ability to use computer systems, including Word processing skills to produce tables, spreadsheets and statistical returns.
  • Ability to use management information systems and be able to transfer the experience of using one system to another similar system if needed.
  • Ability to build and maintain effective working. relationships with a wide variety of people.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in all matters.
  • Willingness to keep up to date on all relevant policy and procedures in line with the role and any other educational / academy development.

Personal qualities /
  • A real team player with full commitment to the values and beliefs of SGB MAT and SGB School.
  • Commitment to the development of the school as a centre of excellence in the community.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement through honest self-evaluation, an acute sense of accountability and a commitment to transparency.
  • Creates a sense of self belief, energy and pride in others about the school and what it is setting out to achieve.
  • Allow teams and individuals to be creative in how they work, highlighting, celebrating and rewarding success.
  • Plans communication effectively and acts as a role model in providing open, honest communication.
  • Highest level of professional and personal integrity and probity and a commitment to highest levels of effort, endeavour and focus on standards.
  • Adaptability to change and embracing of innovation and creativity.
  • Energy, vigour and perseverance.
  • Committed to the professional development of colleagues and self.
  • Develops and nurtures networks within and outside the organisation.

Notes / The above will be evidenced by a variety of means including:
  • Application Form
  • Letter of Application
  • References
  • Interviews and tasks