Secondary Operations & Business Manager

Thomas Bennett Community College, Crawley, West Sussex

Education - non-teaching

Full time

Permanent

(Y) Our Opportunity

We are looking for a dedicated Secondary Operations & Business Manager who brings strategic vision, operational excellence, and purpose to our team at Thomas Bennett Community College, someone ready to lead non-teaching academy functions and optimize our resources every single day.

In our Trust, an Operations & Business Manager is far more than an administrative lead; you are a key architect in building the operational foundation that enables high-quality education, managing estates, facilities, health and safety, HR/people operations, and financial management. We are seeking a proactive, resilient team player and trusted advisor who can collaborate with school leadership, direct local teams, and interface seamlessly with central Trust functions.

Whether you have extensive experience managing school business operations, a strong background in education finance or HR, or proven expertise in multi-site estates and compliance, your talent will be valued here. In our community, business leaders are vital partners in driving educational standards and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Together, let’s maximize our resources, streamline operations, and ensure every pupil gets the support they need to achieve their full potential.

The ideal Secondary Operations & Business Manager will be someone who:

• Holds a relevant professional qualification in School Business Management (e.g., Level 5 Diploma / DSBM or equivalent).
• Acts as a trusted advisor to the Headteacher on budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation in line with the Academy Trust Handbook and Trust governance.
• Leads and line manages core operational teams, including administrative staff and the Premises Manager.
• Oversees site health & safety, facilities management, procurement, and asset management in collaboration with central Trust teams.
• Manages local HR operations and payroll reconciliations across the employee lifecycle while maintaining accurate MIS records and the Single Central Record (SCR).
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving abilities, high digital literacy with MIS/financial systems, and clear communication with diverse stakeholders.

Great Support Starts with a Great Community: Your Benefits

We believe that in education, people matter most. Investing in your wellbeing and professional growth isn't just a perk, it’s our priority. As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your career and your lifestyle:

• Exceptional development: Access high-quality professional development and training opportunities tailored to your role, including support for continuous professional development in education finance, HR, and operations.
• Career Pathways: Receive encouragement and support to grow your leadership capabilities across our Trust family.
• 24/7 Confidential Counselling: Free, round-the-clock support for you and your eligible immediate family members.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Dedicated leave policies and flexible working options, including hybrid working where operational needs allow, to support you through every stage of life.
• Supportive Environment: Work within a forward-thinking culture that actively champions your work-life balance.
• Blue Light Card Access: Eligible to apply for the UK’s premier discount scheme, unlocking savings across shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Spread the cost of a new bike and equipment for a healthier, more affordable commute.
• Generous Pension: Secure your long-term future with substantial employer pension contributions.

About Thomas Bennett Community College

Thomas Bennett Community College is a vibrant secondary school dedicated to delivering an inclusive, ambitious education for all students. Based in Crawley, West Sussex, our school combines a supportive, welcoming ethos with a commitment to high standards, community collaboration, and strong educational outcomes.

To discover what makes Thomas Bennett Community College special, please visit our school website or contact the main office to arrange a tour.

About Kemnal Academies Trust

Kemnal Academies Trust is a group of schools with ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve. We provide a broad and rich education that opens doors. Working together, we give every pupil the support and the skills they need to build a life of purpose, agency, and contribution.

Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership, and learning for all. Our leaders focus on pupil progress and attainment, regularly sharing knowledge, insight, and experience across our family of schools. We believe passionately in the power of collaborative working and actively promote school-to-school support because when we work together, every child benefits.

A Culture of Belonging: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity

Belonging is of utmost importance to us. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and respected, where expectations are high, and genuine support is provided. Here, colleagues are trusted to lead, contribute, and grow in alignment with our mission. At Kemnal Academies Trust, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we know diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Flexible Working

Kemnal Academies Trust recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career while balancing their commitments and interests outside of work. We actively promote flexible working practices and opportunities including potential hybrid working arrangements for this role, to support a positive work-life balance.

Application Details & Next Steps

Interview dates for this role are listed in the key vacancy details above; please ensure you hold this date in your diary when applying. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications, so early submission is encouraged.

• Be Who You Are: Interview & Workplace Adjustments Should you be selected and invited to interview, please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate fully. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments within both the recruitment process and the workplace to support every candidate.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Kemnal Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to statutory safer recruitment checks prior to appointment. These include, but are not limited to, an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, online searches (in line with KCSIE guidelines), identity and right-to-work verification, reference checks, relevant qualification/prohibition checks, and overseas checks where applicable. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed.

“If you want your child to become such an amazing person and to grow then Thomas Bennett is the school for you!” - Year 9 student

It is with huge pride that I welcome you as Head Teacher to Thomas Bennett Community College. My key philosophy has always been to do the best for the students, raising aspirations and giving them the tools to be successful. We are an innovative school with dedicated and determined staff who work together and who are all firmly committed to improving the life chances of our young people. We have approximately 1000 students and we have the highest expectations that each and every child will achieve personal and academic success. We also support every student to contribute actively and positively to the college and the community which we serve.

We have a thriving and growing Sixth Form which has recently been judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted (May 2019) and gives excellent opportunities for all our students to prepare for their lives after Thomas Bennett.

Our recent Ofsted inspection in May 2019 highlighted: ‘The recently appointed headteacher has gained the confidence of staff, pupils, parents and carers. The school is now making rapid improvements under new leadership arrangements. Staff are united in working together to improve the school.’

‘Pupils and staff say that behaviour has improved greatly this year’

‘There is a clear vision and staff are focused on improving the quality of education provided for pupils. Staffing has been strengthened. The headteacher has improved the school’s culture so that is more aspirational for staff and pupils. Staff agree that the current headteacher has transformed the school. As one member of staff said, ‘the headteacher is relentlessly positive.’’

‘The learning environment has been greatly enhanced by the effective and consistent implementation of behaviour strategies.’

‘The sixth-form provision has improved since the last inspection. Leaders have developed a small, effective sixth form where students thrive in a close-knit community. Students say, ‘It feels like a family.’ The head of sixth form knows students extremely well and provides strong and principled leadership.’

Quotes from students – 2020: “The teaching's great.”

“You get so many opportunities.”

“The teaching's really good, you can make really good friends here even if they are in an older year. You never feel pressured into anything. We have gone through all the negative things and it’s all turning into positive.” “You can get your voices heard.“

“It’s welcoming, everyones kind and nice.”

“If you have any worries big or small you can always go to a member of staff and they really help you.“

“The school really helps people with all different kinds of issues whether they are mental health or even something like autism.“ I hope you find all the information you require on this website but please do contact us if you would like to know more or to arrange to visit us. You can all so follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

Kind regards,

Daniel Hatley - Headteacher

Salary

Grade 11 - 12, Spinal column point 33-39 (£45,529 - £51,928)

Hours

37 hours per week

Benefits

Competitive

Closing date

27-11-2026

Interview Date

04/12/2026

Start Date

ASAP