Business Improvement Manager Recruitment pack January 2018
Welcome from John Swainston, Chief Executive Officer The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) is a highly regarded and well-established church-led Multi-Academy Trust for church and community schools in the Bristol Diocese. The Diocese covers 4 local authority areas: Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Wiltshire and Swindon. DBAT brings together schools from diverse communities to collaborate, innovate and create the best possible learning opportunities for all pupils. It represents a work-place of choice for many staff and a welcoming family of schools working supportively within our communities. The Trust was established in 2012 and has now grown to 11 schools serving around 2,500 pupils. There is a strong central team which includes education and business staff who support the schools, provide core services and implement the strategic vision of the Trust. The central team includes a business function; led by the Chief Operating Officer, which brings together business support including business development, finance, procurement, premises management, IT, marketing and administration. The Business Improvement Manager is a key role in this team and will be focused on supporting the schools to deliver a strong business infrastructure allowing resources to be optimally focused on education in the classroom. DBAT is committed to growing the Trust by welcoming schools which have converted to academy status, as well as through the development of new free schools. DBAT is targeting a critical mass of around 25 schools and 6,500 pupils in the next 5-10 years. This growth will deliver the scale that facilitates the further development of strong services and drives sustainability throughout the Trust at a time of significant financial pressures in the sector. The role of Business Improvement Manager will be central to this growth both in making sure that existing schools are supported and in facilitating the effective introduction of new schools. The role will have a base in our central office in Stoke Gifford, Bristol but involve substantial activity in academies across the Diocese from Bristol in the west to Swindon in the east. I hope that you find the following information useful and if you would like to apply we look forward to receiving your application.
Job Description Job Title: Job Summary: Accountable to: Responsible for: Business Improvement Manager Business support and improvement management across all academies including established, conversions and new schools The Chief Operating Officer and the DBAT Board of Directors Indirect line management of Academy Business Managers. Potential to line manage additional staff in due course Key Relationships: Academy Business Managers; Academy Principals; Local Boards of Governors; Financial Controller; Chief Operating Officer; Central Business Team; Senior Education Leader; School Improvement Officers; Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Salary: Bristol Grade 14: 41,025-43,821 Main Duties: Business Partnering & Support Services Business Performance & Challenge Change Management Initiatives New School Initiatives Compliance, Control and Risk Management Recruitment, Mentoring, Coaching and Indirect Line Management of Business Managers Key Areas of Responsibility: 1. Business Partnering & Support Services a. Developing compliant and efficient procurement practices, leveraging upon the size of the Trust to deliver contracts offering high quality services in a cost efficient fashion b. Commercial development across the Trust to ensure academies optimise the potential contribution to funding from lettings and other commercial activities c. Establishing a property management provider and driving the provision of property services and advice. Ensure effective property maintenance processes are in place across the Trust and provide support on property development projects, from funding and bids through to execution and handover. Develop mechanisms for allocating capital as the Trust grows. d. Developing efficient processes for the effective administration of pension schemes e. Establishing an effective and user friendly payroll provision which supports the needs of the academies and is cost efficient
2. Business Performance & Challenge a. Supporting the academies to deliver improved business performance and facilitating the progress of business development plans and the implementation of related activities b. Facilitating the use of Key Performance Indicators and benchmarks to drive improvement in line with capacity c. Working alongside the education team to ensure that business initiatives support both the short and long term performance and sustainability of the academies d. Encouraging collaborative working across academies and the sharing of expertise and skills e. Introducing new improvement ideas from outside the Trust, taking account of latest developments and best practice 3. Change Management Initiatives a. Key driver of major change initiatives for the organisation and business b. Focusing on change initiatives that drive greater alignment, harmonisation and opportunity for effective and efficient delivery of business services c. Project management of specific initiatives d. Reporting on major project progress across the Trust 4. New School Initiatives a. Management and coordination of academy conversions (including sponsorships) ensuring a smooth and efficient process through initial stages and due diligence to readiness for conversion and post conversion integration support b. Supporting major new school projects by coordinating activities and resources to ensure effective delivery on time and to budget 5. Compliance, Control and Risk Management a. Ensuring compliance with and effective operation of key policies b. Monitoring compliance with key operational controls in areas such as recruitment and personnel c. Monitoring compliance with Health & Safety stipulations, guidance and recommendations d. Facilitating the maintenance of effective risk management processes 6. Recruitment, Mentoring, Coaching and Indirect Line Management of Business Managers a. Mentoring and coaching business managers, both existing and new recruits b. Assessing any training and development needs and implementing related support c. Contributing to business manager objective setting and appraisal d. Supporting Heads and Local Boards to support business management staff
Other Duties General The post-holder will comply with the general terms and conditions of service and undertake such other duties appropriate to the salary and content of the work as may reasonably be required. Therefore, the list of duties in this job profile should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Data Protection The post holder is responsible for ensuring that workplace responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulations and the Employment Practices Data Protection Code, especially concerning confidentiality, treatment of personal information and records management. Health, Safety and Wellbeing With reference to all relevant advice and guidance, ensure each Academy complies with Health and Safety legislation and manages the security, upkeep and improvement of its buildings to ensure an effective and safe environment that promotes the welfare of children and staff. Safeguarding The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding, safer recruiting practice and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, visitors and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be expected to report any concerns relating to the safeguarding of children, young people or vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed procedures. If your own conduct in relation to the safeguarding of children, young people or vulnerable adults gives cause for concern, the DBAT Allegations Management procedure will be followed, alongside implementation of the Disciplinary Procedure as required. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS check. Equality and Inclusion We welcome all applications regardless of gender, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation. The post holder will take responsibility for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equitable treatment for all and take responsibility for their own learning and engagement with equality issues and actions and to consider the impact of their actions to ensure that they do not have a detrimental effect on achieving equality of opportunity. Any breaches may lead to termination of employment. Sustainability and Environment The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust is fully committed to sustainable development and
environmental initiatives. It accepts its environmental responsibilities and recognises the contributions it can make to the resolution of global, regional and local environmental issues. The Trust will support its academies in continuously seeking to find ways to improve its environmental performance and will comply, as a minimum, with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice. All staff are required to support these aims. General Notes This is a description of the job as it is constituted at the effective date shown. It is the practice of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust to periodically review job descriptions, update them and ensure that they relate to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed changes. This procedure will be conducted by the appropriate manager in consultation with the post holder. In these circumstances, it will be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible, DBAT reserves the right to make changes to your job description following consultation.
Person Specification Essential (E), Desirable (D), On Application (A), At Interview (I), By Task (T) Knowledge and experience Essential / Tested Desirable Business Manager with experience in schools E A Strong financial management skills E A/I/T Strong operational management skills E A/I/T Project and change management experience D A/I Understanding of the education sector E A/I Understanding of academy business management D A/I Good understanding of business development including E I planning and implementation Understanding of procurement management D I Experience of managing property issues and capital projects D I Qualifications and training Essential / Tested Desirable School Business Management (level 4) or equivalent E A School Business Management (level 5 to 6) D A Accounting qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA etc.) D A Personal attributes and skills Essential / Desirable Influencing skills E I Coaching and mentoring E A/I Well-developed interpersonal skills; the ability to establish E A/I good working relationships with a wide range of people and organisations Management skills including remotely and indirectly E A/I Strong problem solving skills E I Data analysis and manipulation D I/T Personable and approachable E I Diligent and persistent E I Special requirements Essential / Desirable Travel to, and work in, schools (circa 50% time) across the E A Diocese. Driving licence and use of own car is essential Sympathetic to the aims, values, ethos and distinctiveness of E A/I Church of England schools and academies Supportive of the principles of the academies programme E A/I
Application Procedure Right to Work Existing British and European Law states that a person cannot be employed to this post if they do not have permission to live and work in the UK. Please advise if you require any guidance or further information on this. Disclosure Service Certification from the Disclosure and Barring Service New members of staff will be required to apply for Disclosure Service certification as part of the trust staff recruitment process. Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service is available from the DBS website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1075, applicants for this post are among those who are not entitled to withhold information about any previous criminal conviction. Applications All candidates should complete an application form on the DBAT Eteach microsite. This role is advertised on the DBAT website, Eteach and The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL). Applications must be received no later than noon on Monday 29th January, 2018. For further information or guidance on applying, please contact Anna Sfakianakis at the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust: Anna.Sfakianakis@bristoldiocese.org or on 0117 906 0100. Application Form Completion Please focus the reasons for your application on the essential criteria within the Person Specification outlined in the Job Description, providing evidence as to how your knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes either at work, or elsewhere, qualify you to undertake the duties and responsibilities set out in the Job Description. All gaps in employment must be accounted for. Selection Procedure The shortlist will be drawn up soon after the closing date and the selection process and interviews will take place on Thursday 8th February, 2018. Equality Monitoring All applications will be required to complete an Equality Monitoring form. Receipt of Application Applications are acknowledged automatically by Eteach within three working days of receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within this time, please contact Anna.Sfakianakis@bristoldiocese.org. Discussion If you wish to discuss this post in any more detail prior to applying, please contact Chief Operation Officer Alistair Pickering (Alistair.Pickering@bristoldiocese.org) on 0117 906 0100.
Advert Job Title: Job Summary: Accountable to: Responsible for: Business Improvement Manager Business support and improvement management across all academies including established, conversions and new schools The Chief Operating Officer and the DBAT Board of Directors Indirect line management of Academy Business Managers Key Relationships: Academy Business Managers; Academy Principals; Local Boards of Governors; Financial Controller; Chief Operating Officer; Central Business Team; Senior Education Leader; School Improvement Officers; Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Salary: Bristol Grade 14: 41,025-43,821 Benefits: Local Government Pension scheme offered Generous holiday allowance Welfare package including childcare vouchers Continuing Professional Education Main Duties: Business Partnering & Support Services Business Performance & Challenge Change Management Initiatives New School Initiatives Compliance, Control and Risk Management Recruitment, Mentoring, Coaching and Indirect Line Management of Business Managers Location: DBAT Central office is in Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8YU. The role will involve substantial activity in academies across the Diocese of Bristol from Bristol in the west to Swindon in the east. Contract type: Full Time & Permanent Appointment: As soon as possible We are looking for an experienced school business manager who is keen to take on a wider role with our Multi Academy Trust partnering, supporting and challenging our academies to underpin strong business performance and a culture of continuous improvement. You will have had a successful career to date including working in schools and be able to demonstrate strong financial and operational management skills and a track record in delivering improvement and change management initiatives. You will have good interpersonal skills and your ability to communicate effectively at all levels will allow you to indirectly manage staff and influence change. You will be comfortable driving change and managing new initiatives such as the introduction of new schools into the Trust.
You will have good commercial and negotiating skills and will be confident dealing with external parties in areas such as premises, procurement and internal audit. We will offer you an opportunity to work as part of a team in a rapidly growing Multi Academy Trust and the training and support to further develop your management skills in a fast moving and dynamic environment.