Business Director - Regional SA

90 mins easy drive from Adelaide, in a beautiful Regional SA location

An exciting new Business Director position has emerged for a relational leader/manager to join the Senior Management Team of a progressive Primary and Secondary School. With the current new building expansion plan in progress, this co-ed Christian School is at an exciting stage of growth, with additional land for further expansion. Therefore, a foresighted leader is essential to the future planning, management, and development of the School.

As an associated member of a national group of educational schools and colleges, this Christian School is independent in its decision-making. The group is part of a larger National Network of Not-For-Profit services, with transferable accrued employment benefits within the network. This role offers all the commercial challenges, diversity, and a work/life balance! Also, 4% of the annual cash salary component is available for professional learning development. An attractive remuneration package is on offer with 6 weeks annual leave.

The desired attributes of the incumbent are integrity, transparency, caring, empowering, entrepreneurial, innovative, strategic-minded, inclusive, and collaborative. The professional has a personable nature, emotional intelligence, a ‘hands-on’ approach, and is highly resourceful in problem-solving and building relationships across all levels.

At present, the School has currently around 60 staff and 400 students from Year 1 to Year 11, and Year 12 Classes starting Term 1 of 2023. The Principal, School Board, and staff collaborate closely with the parents to cultivate an open and inclusive family community and a culture that is warm, safe, inclusive, and caring. That each student should have the best opportunity in an open-learning environment to grow in all essential areas, and develop a love for learning, discovery, and community.

The Business Director provides astute management of the financial and business operation of the School. This includes management oversight of Line-Managers in 9 non-teaching Support Service departments with 20 personnel. As Director of the finance/business team, this role mentors the Finance Manager and team. The ability to develop teams and mentor Line-Managers to think innovatively, plan and better manage their operation, team, and achieve their KPIs.

Departments include Finance/Business administration, ICT, Grounds & Gardens, Property Management, Student Support Officers, OSHC, Transports, Canteen, and Uniform. Other responsibilities will overflow to teaching personnel, including Project Management, Human Resources, Marketing, WH&S, and Risks & Compliance. Ensuring that all activities and Support Service departments deliver exceptional service to support the learning programs of the School.

The ability to build community, engage stakeholders and partnerships to support the School, source funding and government grants, business opportunities, student opportunities, and community support. Foster strong relationships with suppliers, local community and businesses, sponsors, families of students, volunteers, Local Council, State and Federal Government, and other external stakeholders.

Reporting to the Principal, here are key elements of the role:

• Collaborate with the Principal and School Board on fulfillment of the vision, mission, culture, goals, and objectives.
• Develop, implement and monitor a strategic 10-year Business Plan, provide advice, and assist in the planning growth of the School.
• Impart good leadership and a dynamic relational work environment, and foster community.
• Support the Principal and School Board in their financial/business decisions, prepare and provide interpretation of the monthly business/financial reports, budgeting, cash flow projections, analysis, risk management, project updates, and other business matters.
• Evaluate and streamline business/financial systems to improve performance and processes. Ensure all systems are robust, compliant, and systemic to facilitate future growth.
  
• Mentor and collaborate with the Finance Manager in the efficient management of the finance department, ensuring all accounting and control measures are in place, preparing financial reporting, data analysis and interpretation, risk management, budget setting, preparation and forecasting, cash flow management, debt reduction, preparation of annual tax returns, BAS, GST, and FBT lodgements, and other relevant returns, and that all do adhere to the governing statutory compliance and audit requirements.
• Develop and document policies and procedures and best practices for the financial, business, and Support Service departments.
• Provide management oversight and training of the Line-Managers in the 9 Support Service departments to streamline operations, improve financial and business performance, budget control, develop teams for consistent growth, and achieve KPIs.
• Support all School Department Leaders in budgeting and financial management.
• Increase profitability through benchmarking, best practices, effective cost-reduction measures, and improvement opportunities.
• Provide insightful analysis from data analytics to uncover valuable insights on financials, identify process improvements that can increase efficiency, and better manage risks.
• Conduct predictive analytics to use existing data to identify trends and more accurate planning, forecast, and future planning.
• Set up, monitor, and report key business metrics on the School’s performance and operational health.
• Preparation and oversight of the budget, using proven budgeting techniques.
• Manage projects, contractors, costs, and resources to meet each project deadline.
• Work in conjunction with ICT department to implement online security measures and train staff to be security conscious, both online and offline.
• Identify risk areas, and implement effective risk management strategies, working closely with the Risk & Compliance Officer.
• Implement all Human Resources functions and adopt the best practices and work with non-teaching Line-Managers in the development and training of staff. Develop a succession plan.
• Check all communication channels are working well.
• Develop Marketing strategy and plan and ensure the School’s website and social site are up to date.
• Keep abreast of funding opportunities and emerging trends, grant applications, and accountability reporting within set timeframes.
• Work with the Principal to interpret and apply industrial awards and enterprise agreements.
• Negotiate contractual agreements.
• Maintain a safe workplace with adherence to WH&S standards.
• Attend collaboration meetings with other Business/Finance professionals with associated schools and attend other occasional after-hours meetings.

Another attractive component of this role is the opportunity to link bi-monthly with other brilliant minds from associated schools and colleges in their collaboration meetings. Also, you have opportunities to bounce ideas with the H.O. Business Director and get support from the H.O. Business Analyst.

This role is a 5-year contract tenure and can be further extendable, thereafter. Candidates with proven finance/business operational management experience within complex business environments are encouraged to apply, even if the candidates do not have a CA/CPA, or MBA qualifications. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and technical competency in ICT knowledge and systems.

Situated in a beautiful SA Regional location, the School is an easy 90+ minutes drive from Adelaide. Also, there is an attractive 4-bedroom property with a wonderful yard within walking distance of the School, which is at a low rental price.

Job commences mid-January 2023 and there will be a handover from the current Business Manager. Please forward your Cover Letter and Resume in Word documents, Ref: BD9542 Business Director, and attention to Theresa at Bunyon Recruitment.

For a confidential enquiry:

Call Theresa 

Tel: 08 8238 3490 (Reception)