BUSINESS DIRECTOR

A new role has arisen for a Business Director to join the Senior Executive Management Team of a dynamic and successful Christian Education College. The role itself is very diversified and rewarding. Due to the current Business Manager’s retirement, the role has evolved into a Business Director’s role due to strong growth. The College is situated about half an hour from the Adelaide CBD.

The Business Director (BD) supports and advises the Principal and College Board in strategic long-term planning, finance/business operations, infrastructure, and foresight business intelligence of the College. This key role is crucial in the leadership and effective management of the business and financial operations. The BD is responsible for 40 non-teaching personnel, with oversight management of Departmental Leaders in the Support Services.

The College has 104 personnel who are committed to the learning support program that fosters 760 Middle to Senior High School students in a vibrant environment in the development of each student’s individual gifting and capabilities. The culture is supportive, encouraging, and empowering.  

The successful candidate is dynamic, relational, innovative, resourceful, and a great mentor, communicator, business partner, and negotiator. A blue-sky thinker, and innovator who cultivates a creative team. Also, brilliant in people management and succession planning. The ability to foster collaborative relationships with all key stakeholders and establish strong community engagement. 

The appointee is directly responsible for the Finance/Business operations, providing oversight management of the Finance Manager and the finance and business administration team. This role also provides leadership to the Departmental Leaders in Support Services, ensuring measurable goals and key outcomes are achieved. Departments include ICT, Property Services, Learning Support Services, Media, Community Liaison, as well as Contracted Services (Uniform Shop, Canteen, Transport). Other responsibilities do include HR functions collaborating with HR Manager, Risks & Compliance Management, WHS, various Project Management including new facilities construction, or facilities maintenance.

Reporting to the Principal, these are some key responsibilities:

• Working collaboratively with the Executive Management team to provide strategic leadership and implement a long-term systemic business plan for the school.
• Prepare financial statements and reports, data analysis reports, budget preparation, and forecast reports for presentation to the executive management team for decision making.
• Drive strategic financial and business performance with Departmental Leaders in non-teaching departments to excel in targeted KPIs and achieve key outcomes that support the teaching and learning program.
• A demonstrable ability to establish and communicate the long-term strategic vision and culture of the College.
• An entrepreneurial approach in business thinking, developing outstanding solutions to achieve key objectives.
• Establish infrastructure, streamline systems and processes, reduce costs, increase performance, accuracy, transparency, integrity, and stability of the financial and business systems, ensuring all legal and statutory requirements are met.
• Set up, monitor, and report key business metrics on the College’s performance and operational health.
• Provide insightful analysis from data analytics to uncover valuable insights of financials, identify process improvements that can increase efficiency and risks management.
• Formulate predictive analytics to use existing data to identify trends and more accurate planning, forecasting, and future planning.
• Preparation and oversight of the budget using proven budgeting techniques.
• Maintain robust financial procedures and framework controls in the annual audit process and subsequent reporting.
• Implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Project management of new building development or renovations, working with external contractors, ensuring cost containment, and meeting set deadlines.
• Ensure support from key partnerships to increase financial commitment, funding, business opportunities, student opportunities, and community support.
• Work creatively with the Media Manager and Community Liaison Officer to improve marketing and community reach.
• Increase profitability through benchmarking, best practices, effective cost reduction measures, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure all preparation of financial, grants funding, and administrative returns are submitted in a timely manner.
• Maintain checks on government funding trends and issues.
• Efficient management of large-scale resources in complex business environments.
• Manage specific HR functions in recruitment, training and development, performance reviews, succession planning, and termination.
• Interpret and apply industrial awards and enterprise agreements in conjunction with the Principal.
• Strong negotiation skills in contractual agreements with business partnering, suppliers, and contracted services.
• Ensure all activities are aligned with the strategic direction and abide by best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Attend after-hours meetings and functions.
• Maintain a safe workplace with adherence to the WHS policies and procedures standards.

The candidate will have support from the Business Director and Business Analyst at their Adelaide Head Office and can bounce ideas with brilliant minds of other Business Directors or Managers. An attractive remuneration package is on offer together with 6 weeks annual leave. All accrued benefits are transferable to another position within this national network of services. 4% of the annual cash component is allocated for professional development.    

CA/CPA or postgraduate qualifications, MBA, or equivalent business management qualifications, and/or in-depth proven senior executive management experience with successful outcomes in financial/business operations within the education, not-for-profit or commercial sector. Additional knowledge in fundamental business areas such as economics, law, governance, and risk management is an advantage.

The candidate must have a high level of computer literacy in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel. Also good knowledge of ICT, business, and financial systems.

This role is for immediate commencement, and we encourage prompt application. Please forward your Covering Letter and Resume aligning the necessary experience to the advertised role in Word documents, quoting in the subject line, Ref: BDtb4115.

Confidential enquiries can be directed to Theresa 08 8238 3490.

Bunyon Recruitment

08 8238 3490 (Reception)

Applications to:

Theresa Bunyon
Bunyon Recruitment
283 Sir Donald Bradman Dr
Brooklyn Park SA 5032

 www.bunyonrecruitment.com.au