Office Manager

St Alban's Catholic Voluntary Academy; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time-only working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

St Alban's Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby, Derbyshire, is seeking an Office Manager to lead the busy school office. This permanent, term-time-only role (37 hours per week) is at the heart of school life, delivering efficient administration, welcoming pupils, families and visitors, and supporting the Headteacher and staff.

You’ll be an organised, proactive communicator who can manage competing priorities, safeguard data, and help create a calm, professional environment where everyone feels

Qualifications

• Experience in office administration or management, with the confidence to oversee busy administrative processes.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise and adapt when plans change.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, helping you build positive relationships with colleagues, families and visitors.
• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office, and a willingness to learn school-specific systems.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to use your initiative.
• An understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the importance of safeguarding within a school environment.
• A friendly, professional and approachable manner, even when things get hectic.

Responsibilities

• Keeping the school office running smoothly, overseeing day-to-day operations, administrative processes, systems and resources.
• Serving as the welcoming first point of contact for parents, pupils, visitors and external agencies with warmth and efficiency.
• Providing administrative support to the Headteacher and colleagues across the school.
• Maintaining accurate pupil records, attendance information and other essential school documentation.
• Supporting recruitment administration, onboarding, staff records, absence monitoring and communication with HR and payroll teams.
• Managing correspondence and inquiries to ensure staff and families have what they need when they need it.
• Championing compliance and confidentiality, safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR procedures and accurate record-keeping.
• Reviewing office processes to identify improvements and create an efficient, organised environment.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Excellent communication

People management

Proactive problem solving

Confidentiality safeguarding awareness

IT proficiency (MS Office)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Every great school needs someone who keeps everything running smoothly, brings people together and makes everyone feel welcome. Could that person be you?

At St Alban's Catholic Voluntary Academy, we know that a brilliant school office is about much more than paperwork, phone calls and keeping things organised. It's the welcoming smile at the start of the day, the reassuring voice when someone needs help and the steady hand that keeps everything moving, even on the busiest of mornings!

We're looking for a friendly, organised and proactive Office Manager to join our wonderful school community and play a central role in ensuring everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.

If you're someone who loves bringing order to a busy environment, enjoys working with people and takes pride in making a positive difference, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a permanent, term-time-only position, working 37 hours per week,

What will you be doing?

As our Office Manager, you'll be at the very heart of school life, overseeing the day-to-day running of our busy office and ensuring that pupils, parents, colleagues and visitors receive a professional, welcoming and helpful service.

No two days will be quite the same, and that's part of what makes this role so rewarding!

You'll be:

• Keeping everything running smoothly - managing the daily operation of the school office, administrative processes, systems and resources.




• Being a welcoming first point of contact - supporting parents, pupils, visitors and external agencies with warmth, professionalism and efficiency.




• Supporting our school leadership team - providing effective administrative support to the Headteacher and colleagues across the school.




• Making sure the details are right - maintaining accurate pupil records, attendance information and other essential school documentation.




• Helping our people processes run effectively - supporting recruitment administration, onboarding, staff records, absence monitoring and communication with HR and payroll teams.




• Keeping communication flowing - managing correspondence, enquiries and information so everyone has what they need, when they need it.




• Championing compliance and confidentiality - supporting safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR procedures and accurate record-keeping.




• Finding better ways of working - reviewing office processes, identifying improvements and helping create an efficient, organised and supportive environment.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who enjoys being at the centre of a busy team, can manage competing priorities with confidence and brings a positive, practical approach to everything they do.

You'll be an excellent organiser, a confident communicator and someone who understands that even the smallest details can make a big difference to the smooth running of a school.

You'll bring:

• Experience in office administration or management, with the confidence to oversee busy administrative processes.




• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise and adapt when plans change.




• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, helping you build positive relationships with colleagues, families and visitors.




• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office, and a willingness to learn school-specific systems.




• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to use your initiative.




• An understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the importance of safeguarding within a school environment.




• A friendly, professional and approachable manner, even when things get a little hectic!

Experience of working in a school would be beneficial, but what matters most is your ability to organise, communicate, lead by example and make a positive contribution to our school community.

Above all, we're looking for someone who understands that a well-run school office helps create a happy, welcoming and successful school for everyone.

Why St Alban's?

St Alban's Catholic Voluntary Academy is a welcoming and inclusive primary school in Chaddesden, Derby, proudly rated Good by Ofsted.

We're passionate about providing an environment where our children feel happy, safe and inspired to learn, and where every member of our school community feels valued and supported.

You'll be joining a dedicated and caring team who work together to give our pupils the very best opportunities, both academically and personally.

As Office Manager, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference to how our school operates, supporting colleagues, helping families and contributing to the positive experiences of our children every single day.

Why join St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust?

As part of our family of 25 Catholic schools, you'll benefit from:

• Excellent professional development - access to high-quality training, CPD and opportunities to develop your skills and career.




• Genuine career progression - opportunities across our Trust and the wider family of 84 academies within the Diocese of Nottingham.




• A generous pension - membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, with significant employer contributions.




• Support for your wellbeing - access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering independent advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.




• Term-time-only working - allowing you to enjoy a working pattern aligned with the school calendar.




• Nationally agreed terms and conditions - reflecting our commitment to valuing and supporting our colleagues.




• A real sense of belonging - the opportunity to work within a warm, inclusive school community where your contribution is recognised and appreciated.

You don't need to be Catholic to join our team. We warmly welcome applicants of all faiths and none who respect and support our Catholic character and Christian ethos.

We are also a Disability Confident Committed employer and welcome applications from candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

Ready to be at the heart of something special?

A great Office Manager doesn't just keep a school organised. They help make it a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and ready to succeed.

If you're a natural organiser, a brilliant communicator and someone who enjoys making things happen, we'd love to hear from you.

Come and join us at St Alban's, where your skills, enthusiasm and positive approach will make a difference to our children, families and colleagues every day.

Because behind every great school is a great team, and we'd love you to be part of ours!