Business Manager

Overview of the Business Manager Vacancy

Established in 1893 the Building Crafts College is one of the country’s leading independent providers of specialist education and training in the building crafts, construction and conservation sector. We offer apprenticeships and diploma courses to a diverse population of approximately 300 students a year across a range of disciplines including Bench Joinery, Furniture Making and Design, Site Carpentry, Stonemasonry and Bricklaying. The College works with a range of prestigious companies and organisations including The Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, Canterbury Cathedral and The Canal and River Trust and has prepared students for careers involving the conservation of well-known heritage sites such as The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and The Royal Naval College, Greenwich, as well as major construction employers. 

Constituted as an educational charity, the College is governed and financially supported by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters. It enjoys a thriving student population and a strong portfolio of employer and business contacts and has the ambition and strength to create a lasting difference in the local communities it serves, and beyond.  It relocated to its current site in Stratford, East London, in 2001 and derives its annual income from public and charitable sources along with fees.

Following the appointment of a new Principal in summer 2023, the Board of Governors has now embarked on a new College growth strategy. The College is now looking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Business Manager to be based at our Kennard Road site in Stratford, east London.  

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting directly to the Principal and the Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Carpenters the successful candidate will be a highly skilled practitioner who will have the opportunity to work directly with a broader team of specialist colleagues. S/he will manage the operations and finances of the College and be the senior manager with responsibility for non-teaching operations. The role is broad in its scope and we think it will suit someone who understands what it takes to be a good general operational manager but who also has deeper, specialist knowledge or experience of at least some of the key functional areas that the Business Manager is responsible for.

This is a challenging, but rewarding role, and the Business Manager will work as part of a small dedicated team in a specialist College. This means we are passionate about the crafts we teach and committed to the learners we serve, we have a strong community ethos at the College and you will quickly get to be on first name terms with both staff and students.

The College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate checks including an enhanced DBS check.  

REMUNERATION

The salary is set within a range of £55,000 - £65,000 and the benefits package will include 30 days per year annual leave plus an additional two weeks of leave whilst the College is closed over the Christmas vacation period. You will also have access to a generous employer’s pension and health care scheme, as well as a range of training and development opportunities.  We expect the majority of the Business Manager’s time will be spent on site at the College but we offer some flexibility so that non-teaching staff can operate remotely when the need arises and by arrangement.

APPLICATION PROCESS & IMPORTANT DATES 

• The deadline for receipt of applications is noon Monday 22^nd April2024. 
• Shortlisted candidates will be notified as to whether they have been invited for interview by Friday April 26^th 2024.
• Interviews are provisionally scheduled for Wednesday May 15^th 2024.

A full job description and person specification can be found below. 

Applicants should submit a CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages by email to and sent to the College Principal, Selena Bolingbroke selena.bolingbroke@thebcc.ac.uk

You should include the details of two referees that can be contacted if you are shortlisted for the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a panel interview and expected to complete a short desk exercise on the day of their interview. Shortlisted candidates will also be invited to book an appointment to have a tour of the College and meet some of our staff and students during the week commencing Tuesday May 7^th.

Interested candidates are invited to contact the Principal, Selena Bolingbroke, if they would like to ask any questions or have an informal conversation about the role.

Job Description

Job Title: Business Manager

Reports to:  The Principal and the Board of Governors (via the Clerk to the Carpenters’ Company)

Line Manages: College Accountant, Facilities Manager, Administration and Reception staff, Outsourced contracts for building maintenance, catering, HR, telecoms and IT

Responsible for:  Leading College operations in relation to finance, legal, HR, facilities, IT, administration, health and safety and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities:

• The financial control and management of the College’s resources, including presenting regular management reports to the Board of Governors and the Principal and advising on general financial management policy in the context of the College’s charitable status.
• Manage the annual College business planning process, in conjunction with the Principal, to build accurate departmental forecasts of income, expenditure and capital expenditure. Maintain the College’s Fixed Asset Register, arranging for the safety, security and effective maintenance of the assets.
• To be the College lead on all Human Resources systems, policies and procedures including sourcing and managing third party advice.
• To oversee the management of the College’s IT infrastructure, systems and policies including sourcing and managing third party advice and ensuring College compliance with GDPR.
• To be the College lead on all legal, insurance and contract matters including sourcing and managing third party advice.
• Manage the College’s estate and facilities with respect to operations, health and safety, maintenance and renewal.
• To oversee the management of the College’s administrative staff, systems and processes and ensure an appropriate supporting policy framework is in place to support the effective operations of the College.
• Manage the application and distribution process for the College’s bursaries and liaise with committee members.
• Support the growth of commercial income for non-teaching services.
• The Business Manager’s particular responsibilities may change from time to time as directed by the Principal or the Clerk.  

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks and responsibilities of the role. The Business Manager will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Principal. The job description and person specification and any accompanying documentation may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the College and do not form part of the employment contract.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

It is the Business Manager’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. You will comply with the College Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, and the requirement to report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead any concerns relating to the safety or welfare of children or young people.

Terms and Conditions of Service

The Business Manager will be required to comply with all policies and procedures issued by and on behalf of the College. The post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate. The post holder will be required to participate in any College appraisal procedures as an appraisee and if applicable, as an appraiser. The post holder will be required to attend any statutory and mandatory training.

Information Security, Confidentiality and Data Protection

During the course of employment the Business Manager may have access to, see or hear information of a confidential nature and he/she will be required not to disclose such information. All personal identification information must be held in the strictest confidence and should be disclosed only to authorised people in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the College’s Privacy Notice, unless explicit written consent has been given by the person identified.

Equal Opportunities

The Business Manager must comply with and promote Equal Opportunities and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against others on the grounds of sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, political opinion, trade union membership.

Health and Safety

Under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, it is the responsibility of individual employees at every level to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their own acts at work. This includes co-operating with the College and colleagues in complying with Health and Safety obligations to maintain a safe environment.

Person Specification

Education qualification/training

Degree or equivalent management qualification – essential

Evidence of CPD training or qualification in any of the following areas - desirable

• Accounting or financial management
• Health & Safety (e.g. IOSH/NEBOSH)
• Estates Management
• Safeguarding
• Human Resources (e.g. CIPD)
• Legal/contract management  

Knowledge/Experience - Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in an educational administrative setting
• Experience of financial management procedures, reporting and accountability
• Experience of premises management
• Experience of contract management and managing outsourced services
• Experience of managing people and teams
• Experience of managing capital projects
• Experience of managing HR systems and procedures
• Experience of operating financial processes such as payroll and pensions
• Experience of managing outsourced IT services
• Experience of developing commercial income streams
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation in relation to the workplace and codes of practice
• Knowledge of the FE funding systems inc. ESFA funding reporting protocols  

Skills/Attitudes - Essential Criteria

• Financial acumen and the ability to read, analyse and interrogate financial reports
• Excellent people management skills
• Excellent ICT skills (MS Office), including proficiency in the use of Excel
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to lead and enthuse others in team working
• Entrepreneurial attitude and the appetite to grow the business
• Willingness to learn and aptitude to master new knowledge quickly
• Trust, reliability and integrity