Office Manager

Teaching Vacancies; New Milton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organisation in New Milton seeks an experienced Administrative Officer to provide comprehensive support to the Headteacher. Responsibilities include managing the Headteacher's diary, overseeing office operations, and maintaining compliance with statutory requirements. The ideal candidate has strong organisational skills, IT proficiency, and experience in conflict resolution. This is a full-time permanent position offering benefits like a generous pension and work-life balance.

Benefits

Generous Workplace Pension

Condensed School Year

CPD and Recognition Policies

Health and Wellbeing Support

Free Parking

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant administrative experience required.
• Experience managing staff and office operations.
• Previous PA experience at senior leadership level preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Headteacher.
• Manage the Headteacher’s diary and appointments.
• Support compliance with statutory and governance requirements.
• Oversee staff contracts and personnel records.
• Lead the administrative team.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

IT skills (MS Office)

Confidentiality

Conflict resolution

Job description

Role Purpose

To provide high-level administrative and organisational support to the Headteacher while overseeing the efficient operation of the school office. This role ensures strategic assistance to leadership and effective management of administrative functions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive and confidential administrative support to the Headteacher, handling all matters with discretion.
• Manage the Headteacher’s diary, appointments, meetings and correspondence.
• Prepare documentation, reports, and follow‑up actions for senior leadership, governing body, and committee meetings, often to tight deadlines.
• Act as a key point of contact between the Headteacher and staff, governors, parents, external agencies, and stakeholders.
• Support compliance with statutory and governance requirements, including maintaining registers and policy oversight.
• Maintain secure and accurate records, including sensitive and confidential documentation.
• Support the organisation of school events, inspections, and external visits.
• Manage recruitment and selection processes, including advertising, shortlisting, interview coordination, pre‑employment checks, and onboarding.
• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) and ensure all safeguarding checks are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee staff contracts, pay progression, job descriptions, and personnel records.
• Lead and manage the administrative team, including performance reviews and staff development.
• Ensure smooth and efficient running of all office and reception functions.
• Oversee and manage daily staff cover arrangements for planned and unplanned absences.
• Ensure the school website is kept up to date and compliant with statutory requirements.
• Oversee pupil data management systems and ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Provide administrative support to teachers and leadership as required.
• Maintain excellent front‑line service, greeting visitors professionally and ensuring safeguarding protocols.
• Manage communication systems and IT platforms for effective information flow.
• Undertake general administrative tasks and any other duties as reasonably requested by senior leadership.

Essential Requirements

• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in a role requiring a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Skilled in IT systems, including MS Office and school data platforms (e.g. Arbor).
• Ability to prioritise, plan, and work independently under pressure.
• Calm, approachable, and emotionally resilient.
• Experience in conflict resolution and mediation.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant administrative experience.
• Proven track record of professional development.
• Strong administrative and ICT skills.
• Experience managing staff and office operations.

Desirable Skills

• Previous PA experience at senior leadership level.
• Experience in an educational setting.

Position details

This is a full time permanent position for 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus two weeks).

Benefits

• Generous Workplace Pension
• Condensed School Year
• CPD and Recognition Policies
• Work‑Life Balance
• Health and Wellbeing Support
• Staff Benefits Platform
• Free Parking

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Equal opportunities

Bourne Education Trust follows best practice in recruiting staff in relation to safeguarding and is an equal opportunities employer.