Office Manager | Forward-Thinking Secondary School | Stevenage

CORE PURPOSE

We require an organized, proactive Office Manager to lead the day-to-day administrative operations of our school front office. Operating within a busy educational environment, the successful candidate will manage administrative staff, oversee office workflows, maintain streamlined communication channels, and support senior leadership to ensure efficient, professional school operations.

THE SCHOOL

An 11–16 secondary school located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The school operates with centralized administrative and operational systems managed in close alignment with senior leadership to maintain structured, highly efficient workflows. The office team works collaboratively, using digital communication platforms and modern management software to keep workloads manageable and ensure daily school operations run seamlessly.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

• Office Leadership & Management: Line-manage front office administrative staff, coordinating daily duties, reception rotas, and workload distribution to ensure high-quality operational support.

• Administrative Oversight: Oversee core school administration, including pupil records, confidential correspondence, reprographics, and general school communications via email and text systems.

• Compliance & Data Protection: Ensure all administrative processes comply with GDPR regulations, school policies, and safeguarding standard operating procedures.

• Event & Calendar Coordination: Assist with the planning and administrative logistics for major school events, open evenings, parents' evenings, and school photos.

• Finance & Procurement Support: Work alongside the finance team to process purchase orders, handle petty cash, and manage office supplier relationships.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications: Strong literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English and Mathematics). Relevant qualifications in business administration or management are desirable.

• Experience: Proven administrative experience in an office management or senior administrative role, ideally within a school, educational setting, or busy public sector environment.

• Skills: Strong leadership and line-management abilities, excellent communication skills, and high proficiency in ICT (experience using school database systems like SIMS or Arbor is advantageous).

REGIONAL CONTEXT

• Local Area & Community: Based in the pioneer new town of Stevenage, the school serves a diverse and growing Hertfordshire community. The town offers a vibrant blend of modern retail parks, historic Old Town charm, extensive green spaces such as Fairlands Valley Park, and a supportive network of local families.

• Transport & Commuting: The school benefits from exceptional regional transport links, located immediately adjacent to the A1(M) motorway. Stevenage Railway Station sits on the East Coast Main Line, providing fast, direct train services to London King's Cross, Cambridge, Peterborough, and Leeds, making it highly accessible for commuting staff across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and London.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.