Finance Business Partner & Head of Operations

Woodardacademies; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

St Augustine Academy seeks an Academy Business Manager to lead operations across finance, health, and safety, and administration. This is a pivotal role to ensure efficient functioning in line with strategic goals, requiring strong organizational skills and a background in financial management. The successful candidate will oversee multiple operational tasks and drive business initiatives to enhance the academy’s performance and reputation.

Benefits

28 days annual leave rising to 33 days

Comprehensive CPD programme

Meals available on site

Free eye tests for VDU users

Free fitness suite on site

Qualifications

• Experience in financial and operational management is essential.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.
• Ability to manage diverse responsibilities with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations including budget planning and monthly reporting.
• Oversee core operational functions ensuring smooth academy running.
• Support strategic planning and business development efforts.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Financial Management

Operational Management

Job description

• Finance Business Partner & Head of Operations

Fast Apply

Finance Business Partner & Head of Operations

St Augustine Academy is looking to appoint an experienced and highly organised Academy Business Manager to join our well-established and supportive Senior Leadership Team.

This is a key role focused on leading and coordinating the Academy’s business operations, including finance, premises, health and safety, catering, administration, IT, marketing, and compliance. You will play a vital part in ensuring that all non-teaching functions run smoothly, efficiently, and in line with the Academy’s strategic goals.

The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a wide range of responsibilities with professionalism and discretion. A background in financial and operational management, along with a commitment to supporting the educational environment, is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Academy’s financial operations, including budget planning, monthly reporting, and ensuring compliance with statutory and Trust-wide financial requirements.

• Act as the Academy’s Finance Business Partner, providing professional financial guidance to the Principal, SLT, and Academy Councillors.

• Oversee core operational functions including estates, health and safety, IT, administration, catering, and facilities management to ensure smooth daily running of the Academy.

• Support strategic planning and business development, contributing to the Academy Improvement Plan and developing sustainable long-term financial and operational strategies.

• Manage and develop support staff teams, ensuring high-quality performance, effective deployment, and opportunities for professional development.

• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, including data protection, health and safety, food hygiene, and emergency procedures.

• Lead the delivery of capital and premises projects, from planning through to completion, ensuring value for money and minimal disruption to Academy life.

• Drive income generation initiatives, including grant applications, lettings, and external funding bids to support financial sustainability.

• Act as Educational Visits Coordinator, ensuring all trips are planned, risk-assessed, and managed in line with policy and financial regulations.

• Promote and enhance the Academy’s reputation, supporting communications, marketing, admissions, and community partnerships.

Informal visits are welcome.

CV’s will not be accepted.

Applications will be considered as they are received. Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date therefore early applications are encouraged. St Augustine Academy reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made.

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave rising to 33 days with 5 years' service

• A comprehensive CPD programme for all staff

• Meals available on site for all staff between 8am to 2pm

• Free meals for all staff on Inset days and Open Evening events

• Exceptional leave arrangements for family events

• Free eye tests for VDU users

• A comprehensive EAP (employee assistance programme) with 24 - hour access

• Free fitness suite on site

About our School

St Augustine Academy is a non-selective 11-16 school in Maidstone who is dedicated to fostering excellence in education. We pride ourselves on our supportive community, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to the personal development of both students and staff.

Our Christian Ethos helps to make our school a thoughtful community and we are welcoming, positive and open to pupils and staff of all faiths and none.

Our Academy has a calm purposeful atmosphere. We strive to broaden horizons and challenge our students to achieve their potential. We offer a rigorous academic curriculum, a strong behaviour policy.

We are committed to continual CPD and a positive work life balance for staff. We offer additional training days, support staff to complete additional qualifications and remove unnecessary workload.

We are one of six Academies which make up the Woodard Academies Trust (WAT). WAT is part of the Woodard family of schools. Created by founder Nathaniel Woodard in 1848, Woodard is the largest group of independent Church of England schools in England and Wales. Woodard Academies Trust and Woodard Schools share a common ethos and vision: to inspire young people to make a difference.

Our ethos reflects our deep commitment to delivering an outstanding education to the students we teach. We prioritise inclusion and value individuals, and excel in delivering pastoral care and personalised learning paths for our students. Our aim is to offer students not only a first-class education, but also to teach them life skills that will provide benefits beyond their time with us. We believe that our academies should enrich the communities they serve and play an active role in their development.

DBS Checks

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Asylum and Immigration

To comply with Asylum and Immigration legislations you will be required (if appointed) to provide one or more documents from the Immigration Act 2006 - List A and B. You must provide proof of current and valid permission to be in the United Kingdom and valid permission to do the type of work offered.

St Augustine Academy is an equal opportunities employer. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, including volunteers, to share in this commitment.

All posts will be subject to safeguarding and vetting checks, including the receipt of two satisfactory references. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-declaration form and will be subject to online searches as part of the recruitment process. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check, therefore individuals on the children’s barred list (and adults barred list where relevant) should not apply. There is a six-month probation period for all post-holders.

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