£70,000 - £80,000

Full Time, Permanent

January 2025

9 December 2024

Westminster Academy, an award-winning school in the heart of West London (W2 5EZ), is seeking a talented and forward-thinking School Business Director to join our dynamic leadership team in the new year. With modern facilities, an excellent OFSTED report, and a supportive environment for both pupils and staff, we are looking for a strategic leader to drive the business functions of the academy to new heights.
About the Role:
As the School Business Director, you will take the lead in the strategic and operational management of key business areas across the academy, including:

• Finance
• ICT and Resources
• Human Resources
• Administration
• Site Services (including Health & Safety)
• Academy Sports
• Catering

You will work closely with the Principal, Numera Anwar, to ensure the seamless integration of business and educational strategies, ensuring that resources are deployed efficiently to achieve outstanding educational outcomes for our students. Additionally, you will provide training and support for staff and governors on relevant business and operational topics.
Key responsibilities:

• Lead the financial planning and management of the school, ensuring cost-effectiveness and sustainability in a challenging educational landscape.
• Oversee HR practices, ensuring that staff are supported and empowered to contribute to the school’s success.
• Manage site services, including health and safety, to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
• Develop and maintain efficient systems for administration, ICT, sports, and catering, providing high-quality support to the wider school community.
• Provide leadership and guidance in driving continuous improvements across all business functions, focusing on delivering value for money while achieving the best outcomes for our students.

About you:
We are looking for a highly skilled, results-driven professional with:

• Proven experience in a school or educational setting, with a strong understanding of school finance and HR practices.
• Excellent strategic thinking and the ability to manage complex operations across multiple functions.
• A commitment to delivering value for money while maintaining high standards across all areas of school management.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, governors, and external partners.

What we offer you:

• A Collaborative Senior Leadership Team: Be part of a dedicated and supportive leadership team that values your contributions and helps you thrive in your role.
• Commitment to Well-being: We prioritise your well-being with a range of benefits, including access to a local gym, weekly fitness sessions, staff social events, attendance rewards and much more.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of a robust performance management system designed to support your personal and professional growth, ensuring you reach your full potential.
• Generous Leave Entitlement: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to increase your leave entitlement after a set number of years of service.
• Competitive Pension Scheme: Benefit from a generous pension package through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with comprehensive contributions from both employees and employers.

In return, we expect our successful candidate to:

• Bring experience in a school setting: A proven track record in an educational environment, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of schools.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of HR & Finance: A solid grasp of school finance and HR processes, ensuring efficient operations and compliance.
• Be an inspiring leader: A confident and capable leader who empowers their team, fosters a positive work environment, and leads by example.
• Exhibit a strong work ethic and problem-solving skills: A proactive, solution-oriented approach, consistently striving for excellence in all areas of the role.
• Show passion for education: A genuine dedication to supporting educational outcomes and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Before applying
When contacting us, please let us know your availability. As we break up for the Christmas period on 20th December 2024 and return on 8th January 2025, visits must be conducted before/after we close.
We do not accept CVs.
Closing date: 9th December 2024.
We may interview candidates ahead of the closing date so early application is advised. The Academy reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advertised closing date. The advert may be closed at any time.
We are committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. As such, there may be additional safeguarding requirements and responsibilities depending on the nature of the role advertised and the extent to which the role will involve contact with children. We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Welcome to Westminster Academy.
At Westminster Academy we are committed to providing each student with the best possible academic and extra-curricular opportunities in a supportive, inclusive community. True to our mission, “Education is Success”, we strive to give students the tools they will need to fulfil their highest aspirations, to unlock the future pathways of their own choosing, and to value and make a positive impact on the world around them.
At the heart of our approach is the provision of a supportive, safe, kind environment to allow students to develop as confident young adults. Student welfare is the priority of all Westminster Academy staff, with personal tutors and our pastoral team ever present to ensure students are supported emotionally as well as academically. With an ethos grounded in the IB Learner Profile, the Academy aims to develop students who can collaborate and embrace challenges as Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators and Risk-takers; students with a growth mindset and an international perspective, who are Knowledgeable, Principled, Caring, Open-minded, Balanced, Reflective.
The Academy has a strong record of academic success, with a passionate and highly knowledgeable staff body who devise engaging lessons to inspire a love of learning and prepare students for academic success and the world beyond. Classroom teaching and learning and rigorous assessment is enhanced by access to a wide range of learning platforms which benefit from AI technology to truly personalise independent learning for students. Our teachers have high expectations and provide interventions and extension activities to ensure each student is meeting their potential and challenged in the process. The breadth of our curriculum allows excellence in core subjects to be complemented by opportunities to develop creativity and expression in the arts, entrepreneurship and ICT mastery in Digital Enterprise, and our core PE classes for each year group ensure students are healthy in mind and body.