Office Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

King's Academy College Park in the United Kingdom is seeking an Office Manager to run the administration team of the junior school, working closely with the Headteacher and SLT. You will lead staff, oversee workloads and keep key processes accurate and on time.

The role covers admissions, HR administration, safeguarding and compliance, pupil health information and the Single Central Register, with transferable experience considered.

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English and Maths.
• Experience in a busy environment is advantageous but not required.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the administration team, overseeing workloads and priorities.
• Ensure key processes are completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Oversee admissions, recruitment and HR administration.
• Manage safeguarding and compliance administration.
• Maintain pupil health information and the Single Central Register.
• Support safer recruitment processes.
• Coordinate school communications, events and activities.
• Provide administrative support to senior leaders, including diary management and meetings.
• Promote good data protection practice.
• Handle enquiries and confidential information with tact and judgement.
• Identify errors and improve administrative systems and processes.

Skills

IT skills

Record keeping

Communication

Handling sensitive enquiries

Confidentiality

Data protection

Safeguarding

Education

GCSE English & Maths (minimum)

Job description

This office manager post runs the administration team at the junior school of King's Academy College Park, working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. The role leads and supports staff, oversees workloads and keeps key processes accurate and on time. Remit is wide: admissions, HR administration, safeguarding and compliance, pupil health information, and the school's Single Central Register. Experience in a school setting is advantageous but not required, with transferable administrative and team leadership experience also considered.

What the job involves

• Lead and support the administration team, overseeing workloads and priorities
• Ensure key processes are completed accurately and within required timescales
• Oversee admissions, recruitment and HR administration
• Manage safeguarding and compliance administration
• Maintain pupil health information
• Maintain the Single Central Register
• Support safer recruitment processes
• Coordinate school communications, events and activities
• Provide administrative support to senior leaders, including diary management, meetings and correspondence
• Promote good data protection practice
• Act as a key point of contact, handling enquiries and sensitive matters and managing confidential information
• Identify errors and improve administrative systems and processes

What’s required

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English and Maths

Experience

• Experienced administrator with a strong track record in a busy environment
• Managing competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy
• Leading and supporting a team, allocating work effectively

Skills & knowledge

• Strong IT skills and confidence using digital systems
• Keeping accurate records and identifying errors
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Handling sensitive or challenging enquiries with tact and sound judgement
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and safer recruitment
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Other

• Highly organised, adaptable and calm under pressure
• Proactive, reliable and solution-focused

Nice to have

• Experience in a school or education setting, particularly in admissions, recruitment and HR administration, safeguarding compliance, maintaining a Single Central Register or supporting senior leaders
• Relevant administrative, business or management qualifications
• Appropriate professional training