Business Manager - ES1-5 - Ascot Vale

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascot Vale Heights School in Melbourne's northern suburbs is seeking a Senior Business Manager to provide strategic leadership across financial, HR and operational functions.

The successful candidate will lead the administration and operational workforce, deliver high-quality advice to the Principal and Leadership Team, and drive organisational improvement, governance and compliance while ensuring effective service delivery.

Qualifications

• SC1: Strategic leadership across school administration, finance and operations.
• SC2: High-level knowledge of budgets, financial statements, grants and controls.
• SC3: HR, governance, procurement, contracts and facilities in a complex org.
• SC4: Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• SC5: Effective written and verbal communication with leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the school's administration and operational workforce.
• Provide high-quality financial, HR and operational advice to the Principal.
• Oversee budgeting, procurement, contracts and resource management.
• Ensure compliant, efficient and effective school services.
• Report to senior management with timely financial and workforce information.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

HR & workforce management

Governance & risk management

Procurement & contracts

Job description

Occupation: Human resources

Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs

Reference: 1547462

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to provide strategic leadership across school administration, finance and operational functions, including leading and developing a team and directing the work of others.

SC2 Demonstrated high-level knowledge and experience in financial and resource management, including annual budgets, financial statements, accounting processes, grants and income, financial controls and providing sound advice to school leadership.

SC3 Demonstrated knowledge and experience in human resource and workforce management, compliance, governance, risk management, procurement, contracts, facilities and operational systems within a complex organisation.

Role

This is a senior Education Support Level 1 Range 5 position with whole-school impact. The successful applicant will lead and develop the school's administration and operational workforce and provide high-quality advice to the Principal and Leadership Team.

The role provides an opportunity for an experienced business or operations professional to contribute to organisational improvement, sound financial management, workforce planning, compliance, risk management and the efficient delivery of school services.

A Business Managerrole will usually undertake tasks that impact on the whole school. The role seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, finance or human resources.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy.Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility.Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases.Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice in matters relating to the school finance, human resources or school administration.

Responsibilities

Finance

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to provide strategic leadership across school administration, finance and operational functions, including leading and developing a team and directing the work of others.

SC2 Demonstrated high-level knowledge and experience in financial and resource management, including annual budgets, financial statements, accounting processes, grants and income, financial controls and providing sound advice to school leadership.

SC3 Demonstrated knowledge and experience in human resource and workforce management, compliance, governance, risk management, procurement, contracts, facilities and operational systems within a complex organisation.

SC4 Highly developed organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the capacity to manage competing priorities, respond to complex operational matters, evaluate systems and implement improvements to work practices and service delivery.

SC5 Highly developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the capacity to provide strategic advice, build effective relationships and work collaboratively with the Principal, Leadership Team, staff and external providers.

Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised full time (Monday - Friday 8.30am-4.30pm) Business Manager to provide strategic leadership across the school's financial, human resource, administrative and operational functions.

This is a senior Education Support Level 1 Range 5 position with whole-school impact. The successful applicant will lead and develop the school's administration and operational workforce and provide high-quality advice to the Principal and Leadership Team.

The role provides an opportunity for an experienced business or operations professional to contribute to organisational improvement, sound financial management, workforce planning, compliance, risk management and the efficient delivery of school services.

A Business Managerrole will usually undertake tasks that impact on the whole school. The role seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, finance or human resources.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy.Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility.Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases.Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice in matters relating to the school finance, human resources or school administration.

Responsibilities

Finance

• Manage and direct the preparation of annual budgets, regular financial statements, financial monitoring and forecasting, and contribute to the financial decision‑making of the school.
• Prepare funding submissions and financial reports for the Principal, Leadership Team and School Council as required.
• Direct the school's accounting and financial administration processes and ensure that all funds, investments and financial transactions are appropriately accounted for in accordance with Department requirements and relevant Treasury regulations.
• Provide advice to staff and leaders on spending against budget for programs, projects, faculties and other school activities.
• Administer government grants, funding allocations and other school income, including appropriate reporting and acquittal.
• Manage and oversee school fundraising activities and associated financial processes.

General Administration

• Ensure the provision of effective administrative support to the Principal, Leadership Team and teaching staff.
• Provide administrative support to external service providers and agencies as required.
• Manage and oversee the processing of student admissions, registrations, enrolments and transfers.
• Provide the required level of administrative support for school events, functions and whole-school projects.
• Implement and oversee induction and onboarding processes for new staff, volunteers and other workers, in collaboration with relevant leaders.
• Oversee effective records, information management and administrative systems across the school.

Human Resources

• Research, plan and contribute to development and capability‑building programs for administration and operational staff.
• Manage recruitment procedures for Education Support and operational staff in accordance with Department requirements.
• Provide authoritative advice to the Principal and Leadership Team on workforce structures, support structures and work practices.
• Assist in developing work practices that ensure appropriate occupational health and safety standards are maintained.
• Manage and advise on procedures relating to employee relations issues, escalating complex matters to the Principal and Department as appropriate.
• Contribute to human resource planning, workforce structures, position management and longer‑term organisational planning.

Manage School Resources

• Coordinate the use and maintenance of school buildings, grounds, equipment, assets and other physical resources.
• Liaise and negotiate with service providers regarding the cost, quality, scope and delivery of services.
• Supervise and monitor the delivery of contracted services.
• Manage procurement, contracts, assets and resource allocation to ensure value, compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Manage the development, maintenance and collection of school resource material and operational resources.
• Identify facilities, asset and operational risks and coordinate appropriate preventative maintenance, repairs and improvements.

Support School Council and Governance

• Draft financial, operational and business reports and make recommendations on operational issues for the Principal and School Council.
• Provide accurate financial, resource and operational information to support School Council decision‑making and governance responsibilities.
• Prepare relevant School Council reports, budgets, funding submissions and recommendations as required.
• Ensure operational and financial processes support appropriate governance, accountability, transparency.

Systems, Technology and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate and report on the operational efficiency of school business, administrative and information systems and recommend improvements where appropriate.
• Develop and implement techniques, procedures and improved work practices that strengthen operations across the school.
• Manage or coordinate technical and operational programs with a broad scope across the school.
• Lead improvements to business and administrative systems to strengthen efficiency, accountability, communication and service delivery.
• Use data, analysis and feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement across financial, administrative and operational functions.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position are encouraged to apply.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines ).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [e-mail]

Applicants seeking part‑time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case‑by‑case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre‑employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Location Profile

Ascot Vale Heights School is a Victorian Government specialist P-12 school located in Ascot Vale. We are deeply passionate about preparing young people to reach their full potential and become active and engaged global learners.

Our school provides evidence-based learning that maximises the independence of each student in an innovative, engaging and inclusive learning environment. Our work is grounded in Respectful Learning, Community and Collaboration.

The Business Manager is a key member of the school's Leadership Team and plays an important role in ensuring that the financial, administrative and operational foundations of the school are strong, responsive and aligned to our educational priorities.

The role will work closely with the Principal, Assistant Principal, Allied Health Team Leader and other members of the Leadership Team to ensure resources, workforce, systems and operational practices support the School Strategic Plan 2026-2030, Annual Implementation Plan and effective delivery of the school's educational programs.

Applications close Friday 30 October 2026 at 11.59pm