Office Manager

LeighAcademiesTrust; Cranbrook; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Leigh Academy Snowfields, part of Leigh Academies Trust, seeks an experienced Office Manager to lead the main office and reception. The role supports the SLT and PA, coordinating the administrative team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

The successful candidate will have supervision experience, excellent organisational and communication skills, and a flexible, proactive approach. Permanent, 8am–4pm, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Experience in line management of administrative staff.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work with SLT and PA to support school operations.

Responsibilities

• Line manage the administrative team and review performance.
• Coordinate office practices across Snowfields Academies.
• Ensure confidentiality and secure record-keeping at all times.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Organisation

Communication skills

Job description

Please be aware that this role is based at the Cranbrook College

Leigh Academy Snowfields has an exciting opportunity to appoint an experienced, conscientious and personable Office Manager, starting as soon as possible.

Our successful candidate will be a pivotal member of our central team, working with a range of internal and external contacts. We're looking for a candidate who can turn their hand to all requirements and can be flexible with day to day duties, has excellent communication skills and will manage the smooth day to day running of the administration process across the academy. You will be responsible for a collaborative and friendly team and therefore previous supervisory experience is essential, along with exceptional organisational skills. A flexible approach with a can-do ethos is required, as is drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. A sense of humour is essential! If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!

The main purpose of this role is to ensure the highly effective operation of all aspects of the main office and reception and to support SLT in a PA capacity. Duties include:

• Line management and review of the performance of the administrative team; planning and coordinating their activities, ensuring that deadlines are met, and ensuring consistency.
• Working closely with the PA and Bearsted Office Manager to ensure consistency of office practices across Snowfields Academies.
• Ensuring that all records held in the Academy main office are secure and that confidentiality is a priority at all times.

Further to this, you will proactively support the development of a dynamic learning community through effective delivery of administrative services to meet the needs of every stakeholder.

We can offer our successful candidate:

• The opportunity to help shape our future by joining a LAT Academy
• A school community committed to raising achievement and attainment
• A great environment with excellent resources and facilities
• A strong commitment to support professional development opportunities
• A supportive Governing Body and Leadership Team

This is a permanent position working 8am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Snowfields

Leigh Academy Snowfields is an Outstanding specialist school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), offering a warm, inclusive, and aspirational environment across our Bearsted, Cranbrook and Minster Colleges. Across all sites, our dedicated team empowers every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our approach blends care with ambition - “Where Nurture Meets Aspiration” - and is underpinned by our core values: Be Kind, Work Hard, Communicate, Stay Safe, and Be Happy. We offer small class sizes, highly personalised support, and a broad, balanced curriculum that includes GCSEs and vocational pathways. Our specialist facilities in catering, horticulture, and land-based studies prepare students for meaningful, independent futures.

Awarded Ofsted Outstanding, Snowfields is more than a school - it's a collaborative and inspiring community where staff are valued, supported, and developed. Whether you're new to special education or an experienced practitioner, you'll be part of a forward-thinking team making a real difference.

Come and help shape the future of SEN education. To find out more about Leigh Academy Snowfields, please click here.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity relevant to children, and it is a criminal offence for anyone barred from engaging in regulated activity with children to apply for this position.

We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates, and you can read more about our approach on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role, regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices, and not discriminating on any grounds.