Senior Executive Officer

Education Authority; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public education organization in Northern Ireland is looking for a Senior Executive Officer responsible for various administrative and financial operations within the school. The role requires supervising staff, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with education regulations. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in administration or finance and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience working in an administrative and/or finance role.
• Demonstrated evidence of proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.

Responsibilities

• Manage school staff and supervise day-to-day operations.
• Provide administrative support for staff and governances.
• Oversee procurement processes and manage resources.
• Control and report on financial systems and budgets.

Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Word

Proficiency in Excel

Proficiency in PowerPoint

Proficiency in Outlook

Planning and organisational skills

Customer-focused approach

People management skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Education

Third level qualification in business, finance or administration

Five years’ experience in administration or finance role

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Senior Executive Officer

REPORTS TO: School Principal

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Support staff

JOB PURPOSE: To be responsible for matters of school management relating to general administration, finance and non‑teaching staff.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Supervision

• Supervision of appropriate staff including the management and allocation of duties. (Supervision is defined as having full permanent accountability for planning and coordinating the quantity and quality of work as well as managing issues relating to discipline and welfare).
• Identify and provide on the job training to appropriate staff.

General administration

• Provide administrative, clerical and secretarial support for the school staff and Board of Governors.
• Develop, maintain and operate manual and/or computerised information systems in connection with pupils, staff, budgets, meals, maintenance, examinations, care, medical services, recruitment, transport etc.
• Complete and submit all records/returns as required.
• Contact with relevant personnel to receive and provide information.

Purchasing and Supplies Administration

• Operate/oversee requisitioning procedures, including the ordering, purchasing, receiving, checking, storage and distribution of resources.
• Stock control of resources.
• Arrange for the maintenance of equipment in association with other school and board staff.

Finance

• Develop, control, monitor and report on all financial systems as appropriate including the school’s delegated budget and financial management systems cost centres.
• Responsible for all cash handling and banking arrangements.
• Contact with relevant personnel and provide appropriate support in relation to financial procedures.

Estate Management

• Co‑operate with appropriate staff in the administration of maintenance, decorative and minor building works including the issue of works orders and costings.

Other duties

• Assist work placement students with practical tasks and assignments within the school office (where appropriate).
• Such other duties as may be assigned within the level of the job.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

Person Specification

Notes to Job Applicants

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to short list only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Experience

Have either (A) or (B): (A) A third level qualification (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 4), or an equivalent or higher qualification in business, finance or administration PLUS have a minimum of two years’ experience working in an administrative and/or finance role OR (B) Five years’ experience working in an administrative and/or finance role

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills / Abilities

Demonstrable evidence of proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge

Evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a Senior Executive Officer

Interview

Skills/Abilities

Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Evidence of a customer focused approach to work

Demonstrable people management and team skills to successfully motivate and manage others

Evidence of sound interpersonal and communication skills

Interview

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. You will find information about the school’s values/ethos on our school website

Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Experience/ Knowledge

Evidence of experience in the use of computerised financial systems

Evidence of experience in using the C2K system and finance management system software

Evidence of experience of working in a school or college setting

Demonstrable working knowledge of the Local Management in Schools Scheme

Shortlisting by Application Form

Disclosure Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer