Business Manager

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Pens Meadow School and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council are seeking an experienced Business Manager to take responsibility for the business and operational functions that enable pupils and staff to thrive.

The role requires sound professional judgment, strong financial and organisational skills, and a commitment to safeguarding. The post is subject to medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check, with documentation proving right to work in the UK requested from all applicants.

Qualifications

• Experience in school financial and business management.
• Strong financial and organisational judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school's financial and business management with confidence and integrity.
• Ensure resources are used effectively and provide value for money.
• Oversee premises, contracts, procurement and compliance.
• Work closely with school leaders, governors, staff and external partners.
• Identify and develop sustainable opportunities to generate additional income.
• Explore potential of new facilities for lettings and community use.
• Lead and develop business functions as provisions evolve.
• Safeguard and promote welfare of the children; post is subject to medical clearance and enhanced DBS.

Job description

Our Governors are looking for an experienced and suitably qualified Business Manager to join our school and take responsibility for the business and operational functions that enable our pupils and staff to thrive. This is a particularly important appointment for us. Our current Business Manager has been part of Pens Meadow since 2006 and, as she prepares for retirement, we are looking for someone exceptional to take the role forward. Pens Meadow is a very special place. Our pupils have severe and complex learning difficulties, and every decision we make, whether about finance, staffing, premises, contracts, or resources, ultimately needs to serve them. Our new school building also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Alongside outstanding learning spaces, we have facilities including a hydrotherapy facility, sports hall, MUGA, rebound room and Forest School. We want our new Business Manager to help us think creatively and commercially about how these facilities can be used effectively, including opportunities to generate additional income for the school, while always protecting the needs of our pupils and the purpose of the school. We are looking for someone who can:

• lead the school's financial and business management with confidence and integrity.
• ensure resources are used effectively and provide excellent value for money.
• oversee key operational areas such as premises, contracts, procurement, and compliance.
• work closely with school leaders, governors, staff, and external partners.
• identify and develop sustainable opportunities to generate additional income.
• explore the potential of our new facilities for lettings, partnerships, and wider community use.
• lead and develop the school's business functions as our provision continues to evolve; and
• above all, understand that excellent school business management exists to help improve the lives and opportunities of children and young people.

We need someone with sound professional judgement and strong financial and organisational skills, but we are looking for more than technical expertise.

• Someone who will walk around the school, get to know our community and never lose sight of the pupils behind the spreadsheets.
• Someone who can be commercially astute without losing our values.
• Someone who can protect what has been built while also asking, "What could we do next?", We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children; therefore, the post is subject to medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK. Effective from September 2022, KCSIE states as part of the shortlisting process schools and colleges should consider carrying out on-line searches, as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This is to determine suitability to work with children and keep them safe. All shortlisted candidates are now subject to an on-line check and if there is anything concerning, then the shortlisted candidate will be asked to comment on it either prior to or at interview.

About Dudley Council It's an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi-million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game-changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve. At Dudley Council we have a 'one council' ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities. We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of 'Forge a Future for all' www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves. In joining a local authority that:

• is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark
• is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost effective ways of delivering services
• has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people
• wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums
• dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listen to the views of our residents
• is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents