Regional Primary Business Manager (Weald and City)

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Shape Our Future: Regional Primary Business Manager (Weald and City)

Location: Weald and City – Based at the closest school to your residential address when required, with hybrid elements (dependent on business requirements)

Reporting To: Senior Regional Business Manager

Travelling:  The expectation to travel to the Weald and City primary school in line with business requirements (travel costs will be remunerated in line with the Trust travel policy)

*  Napier Primary Academy, ME7 4HG

* Ore Village Primary Academy, TN35 5DB

* Pebsham Primary Academy, TN40 2PU

* Pluckley CE Primary School, TN27 0QS

* Smarden Primary School, TN27 8ND

Who You Are

Are you passionate about creating a supportive, thriving environment where children and people can succeed? At Kemnal, we know that excellent schools don't just happen. Brilliant operational minds behind the scenes power them. Joining the Kemnal Academies Trust (Kemnal) family, you will take on the vital role of Regional Primary Business Manager, acting as the strategic engine room and vital bridge between central trust strategy and local school execution across our five Weald and City primary academies.

Are you a proactive, structured, and experienced operations leader looking to make a meaningful impact across our schools? Do you excel at stabilising operations, driving operational consistency, and collaborating across multi-site environments?

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Regional Primary Business Manager, supported by the Senior Regional Business Manager, to oversee non-teaching, operational, and organisational processes across the region. This is a fantastic chance to be part of a vibrant department committed to our vision: 'Achieving More Together '.

Are you a proactive, resilient, financially and operationally astute professional who thrives when managing multiple moving parts across geographically dispersed teams.

Role Overview

Serving as a crucial bridge between the central trust team and individual academy offices, you will stabilise day-to-day operations, lead key business projects, mentor front-office teams, and ensure robust compliance across all academies within our shared-service model. You will act as an ambassador for our schools and the Trust, embodying our core values, vision, and ethos in every interaction. As part of a shared-service model supporting a number of academies, you will be a key point of contact for schools and stakeholders, embodying the Trust’s values, vision, and ethos. By ensuring our schools run smoothly, sustainably, and efficiently, you allow our educators to focus on what they do best: teaching.

Your key areas of focus will include:

* HR, Recruitment & Payroll Support: Support safer recruitment, local onboarding/offboarding, and Single Central Record (SCR) maintenance. Oversee absence monitoring, mentor front-office admin teams, audit employee lifecycle data in MIS/HR systems, and assist with payroll queries in coordination with central teams. Partner with Headteachers and the Finance Business Partner to manage staffing needs and recruitment. Oversee employee lifecycle data, ensure payroll accuracy, and lead organisational change and restructuring processes.

* Compliance & Statutory Governance: Conduct termly safeguarding and SCR audits alongside Headteachers and Directors. Support local authority (LA) and DfE statutory returns, manage secure record archiving, and uphold strict data protection (GDPR) standards

* Local Financial Operations: Assist academy leaders and central finance with budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and procurement below tender thresholds. Oversee local Service Level Agreements (SLAs), supplier/service contracts (e.g., catering, cleaning), and explore income generation or grant opportunities. Oversee academies' financial functions, including budget planning, monitoring, and financial reporting with the Finance Business Partner. Ensure compliance with financial regulations, manage audits, and ensure cost-effective procurement.

* Estates, Facilities & Health & Safety: Collaborate with the Regional Premises Manager and central estates team to ensure school buildings and grounds are safe, compliant, and well-maintained. Coordinate logistics and contractors for site works, and oversee routine health & safety checks, risk assessments, and fire drills. Lead the strategic development of facilities and estates. Manage ancillary services (catering, cleaning), ensure compliance, and oversee business continuity planning and energy conservation initiatives.

* Training & General Administration: Oversee staff training allocations, manage external audit inspection processes/action plans, maintain emergency and business continuity plans, and conduct staff performance reviews (PDRs).

* Safeguarding: Actively promote and ensure the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils in line with statutory guidance

* Operational Leadership: Manage and support the regional teams. Foster high standards, delegate effectively, and ensure high-quality service across academies.

What you'll bring:

* Qualifications: A relevant professional qualification such as School Business Management (e.g., DSBM, Level 5 Diploma or equivalent) is essential.

* Experience: Proven experience in complex operational and financial management and budget preparation. Previous experience within a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is highly desirable, though commercial or charity sector leaders with strong transferable compliance skills are welcome.

* Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills; you can discuss compliance and operational figures with key stakeholders, negotiate with a contractor, and support a Headteacher in the same morning. Advanced IT/MIS literacy is key.

* Mobility: A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as regular travel between our 5 regional academies is required.

* Commitment: A deep commitment to safe recruitment practices and safeguarding children's welfare.

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 development and training opportunities tailored to your role.

* Career Pathways: Receive encouragement and support to grow your skills, with clear routes toward EYFS leadership, senior leadership, and wider trust roles, and support for further qualifications and professional development if desired.

* 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 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 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 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.