Bursar & Chief Operating Officer

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Edinburgh Excellent salary, depending on experience
A generous compensation package is offered with this role, commensurate with the successful individual's experience and qualifications. The school prides itself on its warm and welcoming community, inclusive of all staff. Access to training and professional development is available and encouraged.
Generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Employee Benefits Programme, including discounted access to health insurance, financial well-being products, cycle to work and electric car schemes as well as discounts to a number of major retailers
A three course lunch is provided during term time
The COO will play a lead role in the implementation of this strategic plan. An ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced working environment will be essential, as will proven experience of senior leadership and financial control in complex organisations. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Rector, the Court of Directors, and the Senior Management Team to help navigate the School through the potentially difficult political, economic, technological and societal challenges that lie ahead for the independent school sector in order to ensure the School’s long-term success.
They will be a creative and accomplished senior leader, with outstanding financial and commercial acumen and the ability to empower and develop others to ensure the continued success of the Academy.
Whilst the COO role reports to the Rector for the day-to-day management of the school administration and finances, there is a further reporting line to the Court of Directors, through the Chairman of Directors and the Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, for all issues of Governance as Clerk of the Court. Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds.
The COO will provide strong operational leadership and financial understanding to ensure that the School continues to enjoy outstanding support services and robust finances. 
Partner with the Rector and Court of Directors to deliver the School’s short, medium, and long-term financial, operational, and commercial strategy. 
Contribute, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, to the longer-term educational aims of the School. 
Leadership & Management 
In conjunction with the HR team oversee the recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and welfare of operational staff
Ensure that compliance, safeguarding and the welfare of pupils and staff inform and direct all decision making so that the School continues to evolve its practice in line with changes and legislation
Ensure that School Policies are current, reviewed within a timescale and meet the criteria of the governing body.
Working with the Financial Controller to deliver:
Responsible for the Finance Team and ensuring effective controls and processes are in place for the processing of the School’s financial business.
Provide effective management reporting for all of the entities to enable good and timely decision making at Court, Committee and SMT
Financial oversight of the School’s pension and fee remission policy, including staff fee remission and bursaries
Financial oversight and reporting of the School’s associated charities including the: Eric H Stevenson Charitable Trust and EA Foundation
Manage effective relationships with key external service providers and professionals, including the bank, auditors, insurers, pension and legal advisers. 
Responsible for developing and maintaining an outstanding, distinctive, and innovative physical environment for pupils and staff including: 
Strategic estate master-planning and the oversight of major building projects, including working with the Facilities Manager on the appointment of project management support, architects, engineers, and other major building consultants / contractors.
Alongside the Facilities Manager planning and overseeing capital projects and developments including management of professional advisers, drawing up specifications for new buildings, obtaining tenders and planning permission and liaising with school architects and builders. 
Alongside the Facilities Manager, lead and manage the development and improvement of the grounds and gardens on the site. 
Ensure the development, procurement, delivery and management of the IT infrastructure, data, and services to support high-quality teaching and learning and administration. 
Ensure the safety, security, and integrity of the School’s IT network with particular reference to ensuring that it remains secure from cyberattacks and viruses. 
Operations & Commercial Activities
In conjunction with the Facilities Manager and the Commercial Director of AccessEA, ensure the efficient and effective running of the following support operations:
Oversee and manage regulations pertaining to minibuses, licenses, driver training and assessments
Commercial activities - alongside the Commercial Director, generate significant opportunities for additional revenue generation, developing a long-term plan for commercial development and alternative revenue generation
Contribute as a pro-active member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in both the strategic and operational leadership of the School. Direct, motivate and develop the Operational Staff management teams to ensure the efficient day-to-day provision of operational services for the School, looking to develop operational systems as appropriate.
Liaise closely and regularly with the Senior Deputy Rector and Headteacher of the Junior School, as well as with other members of the Senior Management Team, to ensure that all aspects of School life operate efficiently and successfully. Assist the Rector with oversight of the interface between the Nursery, Junior and Senior Schools, the Commercial Director of AccessEA, the EAC (Academicals), the Foundation and the Eric Stevenson Charitable Trust
Oversee the delegation to the Senior Deputy Rector/Headteacher, the Estates Manager and the Commercial Manager of AccessEA, for the co-ordination of efficient and effective use of all buildings including the letting of buildings to assist income generation, de-conflicting commercial/charitable bids where necessary.
Estates Department -  led by the Facilities Manager with a team of Groundstaff and Janitors supporting across the School
Finance Department - led by the Financial Controller and a team of 4 accounts staff
HR Department - an HR Business Partner (dual reporting to Rector and COO) and an Assistant HRBP
ICT - led by the Director of ICT with a team of 6 people supporting our management information systems and ICT infrastructre
Access EA - led by our Director of Commercial Operations with a team of 5
Proven successful leadership experience in a senior position, managing, organising and motivating multi-disciplinary teams, including successfully managing and implementing change 
Proven business and administrative expertise 
Experience of a wide range of facilities and event management responsibilities (preferably gained in an environment related directly or indirectly to education)
Numerate with demonstrable and relevant experience in financial and budget management 
Experience in Estates management including building maintenance, new building projects, relevant legislative requirements, and liaison with architects, planning authorities and external organisations. 
Flexible, strategically minded and solution-focused in approach 
The School consists of a Senior School, Junior School and a Nursery Department. The Junior and Senior Schools are on separate sites, both of which have spacious grounds and sports facilities including extensive playing fields, an all-weather sports area, and a large Sports Hall and Centre.
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