Office Manager

GLF Schools; Crawley; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Generous holiday allowance

Work life and family friendly policies

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Career pathways and talent management

Staff benefits portal

Community and collaboration working

Job summary

GLF Schools is seeking an Office Manager for Southgate Primary School’s cluster to lead a friendly office team and ensure smooth administrative operations. You will be the first point of contact for parents and staff, champion confidentiality and provide vital support to leadership teams across the cluster.

The role offers variety, responsibility and opportunities to develop within a large multi-academy trust with strong values and staff collaboration.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in a school office, ideally within an educational environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage office staff effectively.
• Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and finance abilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), with familiarity in school systems such as SIMS or Pupil Asset considered a bonus.
• Clear, professional communication skills and a friendly, welcoming manner.
• Highly reliable with excellent timekeeping, personal integrity, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Able to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and remain calm and positive under pressure.
• A team player with a proactive, can-do attitude and an understanding of safeguarding in a school environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a dedicated office team across the schools.
• Oversee daily operations and manage financial processes.
• Support Leadership Teams and act as first point of contact for parents and visitors.
• Maintain confidential, efficient administrative systems across the cluster.

Skills

School office experience

Leadership

Planning & organisation

MS Office

Communication

Reliability

Safeguarding

Tools

SIMS

Pupil Asset

Job description

Southgate Primary School is seeking a highly organised, proactive and personable Office Manager to their friendly and supportive team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong administrative experience and a passion for helping schools run smoothly. As the first point of contact for many of our parents, visitors and staff, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of the school office, while contributing to the warm and welcoming environment of our schools.

Your Opportunity

In this key role, you will lead and support a dedicated office team, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of all administrative functions across the schools. From overseeing daily operations and managing financial processes, to supporting the Leadership Teams and acting as the first point of contact for parents and visitors, this role offers variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. You will be at the heart of the school community, promoting a warm, professional environment while maintaining excellent communication and the highest standards of confidentiality.

What we are looking for

• Proven experience working in a school office, ideally within an educational environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage office staff effectively.
• Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and finance abilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), with familiarity in school systems such as SIMS or Pupil Asset considered a bonus.
• Clear, professional communication skills and a friendly, welcoming manner.
• Highly reliable with excellent timekeeping, personal integrity, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Able to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and remain calm and positive under pressure.
• A team player with a proactive, can-do attitude and an understanding of the importance of safeguarding in a school environment.

About Southgate Primary School

Our school sits within a newly established cluster of schools, overseen by a Regional Director. Along with Southgate Primary School, our cluster includes the following other schools; Forge Wood Primary School, Kilnwood Vale Primary School, Greenway Junior School, Salfords Primary School, Lime Tree Primary School, Merstham Primary School.

This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across this cluster, to share expertise and experience, ensuring all children in our schools receive an excellent education and reach their potential. It also provides opportunities for career progression across the cluster and gives you the chance to further your professional development.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 17,000 pupils
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

• Access to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Career pathways and talent management
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

Please read the attached Join Our Community candidate pack for further information.

The Details

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: GLF Associate 3 Point 1 to Point 10 - £25,877 - £27,954 (DOE)

Actual Salary: £21,643.44 to £23,380.64 (DOE)

Hours: 35hrs Monday to Friday - Term Time Only (39 Weeks)

Closing Date: Sun 20th Sept

Attachments

Join Our Community - Associate 2025 - 26

Office Manager JD 2026

Office Manager PS 2026

Safeguarding Statement

GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.