Head of Business Support

Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country?  Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint an experienced and hands on Head of Business Support who will manage the Star Academies head office business and administration function.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our dynamic head office team. Working at the heart of Star Central, you will provide a full range of business and administrative support to ensure the smooth and effective running of the Central Office.

You will oversee aspects of financial, people and premises management, whilst also taking the lead on health and safety matters. You will be responsible for ensuring all necessary support systems and processes work effectively, staff are happy, healthy, and harmonious and everybody feels part of a well-oiled machine. You will be the ‘go-to’ person in the organisation who can get things done, problem solve and know when to refer to others.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and business acumen, with the skill to lead by example and inspire others. The ideal candidate will be proactive, resilient, personable, and have the motivation, determination and commitment to help drive the organisation forward. You will have extensive experience of delivering outstanding customer service and be able to develop effective relationships across the Star Central office and trust community.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Degree qualification or equivalent. 
• Management level professional qualification relevant area. 
• Experience at a senior level within a Business Support Function or similar within a public/private sector setting. 
• Experience of developing effective administrative systems and procedures. 
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to communicate verbally with, & write reports for, a wide range of senior stakeholders.

About Us

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 25 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Professional Development and Benefits

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Next Steps

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.​​​​​​​

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday, 05 December 2021 at midnight

Shortlisting Date: Wednesday, 08 December 2021

Interview Date: The afternoon of Monday 13 December 2021 or the morning of Tuesday 14 December 2021

Proposed Start Date: As soon as possible.

​​​​​​​Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.