Office Manager

Sycamore Academy; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Sycamore Academy in St Ann's, Nottingham, is seeking an Office Manager to lead the administrative and business function. You will sit on the leadership team, shaping day-to-day operations and contributing to strategic direction with the Headteacher and SLT.

The role covers HR, finance, admissions, safeguarding, site management, audits, and community liaison, in a busy two-form entry primary with nursery provision within LEAD Academy Trust.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at A*-C or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification at level 4 or above.
• Experience in a school or business environment.
• Strong ICT skills including Microsoft Office and finance systems.
• Ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Experience with recruitment and HR processes.
• Proactive, with initiative to solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Line manages the administration team and related support services.
• Oversees HR administration, recruitment, contracts and DBS checks.
• Manages financial procedures, procurement and asset registers.
• Administers admissions, waiting lists and space allocation.
• Safeguarding oversight for visitors and statutory processes.
• Collaborates with Site Manager on health & safety and premises.
• Supports internal/external audits and actioning findings.
• Leads marketing and community liaison to raise the school's profile.
• Manages MIS and ICT resources with the Trust's IT team.

Skills

ICT skills

HR processes

Recruitment experience

Initiative / self-starter

Education

GCSE English & Maths (A*-C)

Level 4 qualification or above

Tools

MS Office suite

Finance systems

Job description

Office Manager

Sycamore Academy, St Ann's, Nottingham | NJC SCP 23-28 | Term Time Only + 2 weeks | L.E.A.D. Academy Trust

Sycamore Academy is a two-form entry primary with nursery provision (including 2-year-olds) in St Ann's, Nottingham. It's a culturally diverse, inner-city school with growing pupil numbers and strong community engagement — and it's part of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, a 24-primary, 3-secondary trust across the East Midlands.

We're looking for an Office Manager to take ownership of the administrative and business function of the school and sit as a member of the leadership team. This isn't a back-office admin role — you'll be shaping how the school runs day to day and contributing to its strategic direction alongside the Headteacher and SLT.

The role covers:

1. Line managing the administration team,cleaning, site and midday teams, including appraisals, performance management and CPD
2. Full HR administration: recruitment adverts, shortlisting support, offer letters, contracts, DBS checks and Single Central Record compliance, new starter induction, payroll liaison (HCSS/SIMS)
3. Financial procedures, procurement, and maintaining the asset register in line with Trust policy
4. Admissions management, including waiting lists and space allocation
5. Safeguarding oversight for visitors, parent visits, and administrative compliance with statutory processes
6. Working with the Site Manager on health & safety, premises, and contractor management
7. Supporting audit processes (internal and annual) and acting on findings
8. Marketing and community liaison — raising the school's profile, working with local businesses on fundraising and vocational opportunities
9. MIS and ICT resource management, working with the Trust's IT team

What you'll need:

1. GCSE grade A*-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths, plus a relevant qualification at level 4 or above
2. Proven experience in a school or business environment
3. Strong ICT skills including Microsoft and finance/accountancy systems
4. Ability to manage tight deadlines and competing priorities independently
5. Working knowledge of recruitment and basic HR processes
6. A self-starter, comfortable using initiative to solve problems without waiting to be told

Desirable: experience managing budgets, managing and developing staff, and project management experience. Understanding of health & safety and site management is a plus.

Hours:

Term Time Only + 2 weeks. May occasionally require work outside school hours to support SLT.

Closing date: Friday 11 September 2026

Interview date: w/c 14 September 2026

Start date: September/October 2026

Contact: [e-mail] / 0115 915 5804

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.