Office Manager: Administration and Student Support Team

The University of Liverpool Mathematics School wishes to appoint an experienced administrator with leadership skills to manage and develop the administrative and student support functions of the school and to line manage a small office team. The successful candidate will report to the School Business Manager and deputise for her in her absence.  The Office Manager will also take primary responsibility for some office roles.  This opportunity might suit a finance professional aspiring to become a School Business Manager, or someone with school administrative experience looking for career development and leadership opportunities.

The University of Liverpool Mathematics School is the 3rd specialist 16-19 Mathematics School to open in England, and the first in the North of England.  We teach students with high potential in the mathematical sciences, preparing them for demanding degree courses in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, other sciences and related courses.  

We aim  

• to support students who have been disadvantaged in their learning,   
• to seek out and develop mathematical and scientific talent and potential across the region, and   
• to widen participation in the mathematical sciences.  

As well as teaching our own sixth form students we operate a large outreach programme which is designed to support and challenge students across the region, working with their schools and teachers to provide opportunities to discover the opportunities in STEM A-Levels, degrees and careers.

This post represents an opportunity for a well-organised and experienced administrator to bring their skills to a highly motivated and supportive staff team.  This is a small, highly specialised school and the office function is different to that of many school administrative teams in that   

• each team member fulfils several roles, and  
• office staff are student facing and play a role in supporting learning, student welfare and facilitating extra curricular activities.

The school makes extensive use of technology for administrative, marketing and teaching purposes so the role is well suited to a technically adept administrator who enjoys exploring new systems and devising efficient, systematic processes.

The successful candidates will be expected to play a full part in the life of the school and be somewhat flexible in the hours that they work in order to support the operational needs of the school.  

Why work at ULMaS?

As an employee at the University of Liverpool Maths School you will be part of a close-knit team united in their desire to transform the life chances of young people across Merseyside by developing their education to the highest standard.  ULMaS is a well funded institution with a high level of support from the University of Liverpool, the parents of our students, philanthropists and others.  It attracts interesting and talented students who take full advantage of the opportunities that the school offers, supporting each other and treating staff members with respect.

ULMaS is an extremely inclusive and tolerant community whose members have a strong sense of belonging as well as a deep seated sense of purpose.  Our community is varied, tolerant and inclusive.  Students are treated with respect and encouraged to be themselves and to feel at home when in school.  They are expected to develop rapidly in their maturity and to behave as responsible young adults in a culture of mutual respect.

What is it like working at ULMaS?

The small size of our school (currently 63 students and 12 staff members) means that all staff members take on multiple roles and responsibilities and are flexible in their approach to work.  All members of staff in this school have a significant role in supporting students, ensuring that students are safe and cared for at all times.  We are both a large family and a small organisation.  Life is often fun, never dull and sometimes quite demanding.  

• The functions of the administration and student support team include:  
• Supporting students (including first aid and, when needed,  personal support and mentoring)  
• Finance (placing orders, paying invoices, supporting internal and external auditors)  
• Examinations administration  
• Attendance monitoring  
• Clerking trustee meetings  
• PA support for the school’s leadership team  
• Human resources including recruitment and onboarding processes, liaising with payroll bureau, and pension, NI and HMRC administration  
• Health and safety administration including record keeping and weekly/ monthly/ annual checks  
• Logging building defects and liaising with contractors  
• Outreach and extracurricular visits administration  
• Data management  
• Admissions administration  
• School reception and switchboard  
• Marketing the school  
• Communicating with parents, students and other stakeholders  
• Monitoring students clocking in and out of the building

Should you wish to apply for this position please complete your application on the TES website, including a supporting statement which should be no longer than 1000 words

In your supporting statement you should explain what skills, experience and values you bring to this role which might make you stand out from other applicants.  You could also explain why this role would help the development of your career and how your values align with the aims of the school.  

Your supporting statement does not need to be long or complex but it should be specific to this role.  Applicants who provide clear evidence that they meet the key aspects of the person specification and understand the nature of the school are much more likely to be shortlisted.  

Enquiries may be made to  

• Marie Black, School Business Manager marie.black@liverpoolmathsschool.org  

or to 

• Damian Haigh, Headteacher damian.haigh@liverpoolnathsschool.org

Closing date: 1030               Monday 1st November

Interview date:   First round interviews will take place online, arranged for a convenient time with applicants.  Second Round interviews will take place either during the week commencing 8th November or the week commencing 15th November.

We will ask your permission before taking up references.