Senior School Office Manager

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Office Manager to lead the Senior School Office

The principal focus of this role is to provide first class administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the school and ensure that the Reception and General Office present a smart, friendly and efficient point of contact for all visitors, pupils and staff.

The Office Manager, supported by the Deputy Office Manager, line-manages a team of receptionists and administrative assistants. The role is accountable to all members of SMT and the Database manager, and ultimately reports to the Bursar.

The role is term time plus 4 weeks in School holidays. All members of the Office team work a rotation of shifts ensuring the Office is staffed throughout the School day between 7.45am and 6.15pm.

The annual salary is £31,500 (£37,400 FTE)

Office Manager Responsibilities:

• Line management of the Office team with warmth and diplomacy to ensure an atmosphere conducive to productivity and goodwill.
• Plan and coordinate the team’s activities and ensure that deadlines are adhered to and standard of quality and accuracy are met.
• In collaboration with senior leaders, set and deliver the strategy for continuous improvement in the school’s administrative and communications procedures. This includes adoption of technology solutions to improve the experience of parents and staff.
• Collaborate on activities that the cross the support function, especially with the Data Manager and Admissions & Communications and Bursary teams.
• Liaison with the Junior School Office to ensure that, where appropriate, common solutions are implemented and work is shared.
• Assisting the Data Manager with the running of key systems including the pupil database SIMS.
• Develop the team’s capability and ensure there is consistency in practice throughout the team.
• Undertaking annual reviews with each member of the team and following up with performance management or arranging specific training for team members if required.
• Manage shift rotas and arrange cover for absences and out-of-hours school events.
• Creating and maintaining a School Office Handbook.
• Sharing responsibilities of the wider Office team.

Personal Specification:

• Empathetic people leader who can deliver as part of a team.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• An understanding of school life and staff roles and responsibilities, and the Office’s position within this.
• Strong desire to work in a school environment.
• Excellent literacy and communication skills.
• Desire to challenge orthodoxy and continuously improve service standards.
• Effective use of ICT, MIS systems such as SIMs or Engage SMIS and other specialist equipment/resources. 
• Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn new skills.

Staff appointed to posts are expected to maintain high professional standards. Those who join Colfe’s can expect to become part of a caring, purposeful and committed community.

Special Conditions

• Enhanced DBS check
• First Aid training (provided)

Benefits

• Contributory defined contribution pension.
• School lunches provided.
• Complimentary membership of Colfe’s Leisure Services gym and swimming pool.

Application procedure 

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures. There will be an interview and practical task for short listed candidates.

The application may be submitted either electronically recruitment@colfes.com or by post, to: Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe’s School, Horn Park Lane, London SE12 8AW

Applications should be sent as soon as possible and by 12pm Friday 9th December. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary. 

Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, prohibition from teaching and the Disclosure & Barring Service.