Business Manager

Selection Criteria

SC1 - Demonstrated ability to lead, coordinate and support education support staff, fostering collaboration and consistent practice, particularly in General Office management.

SC2 - Demonstrated knowledge and experience with respect to human resources and financial management records systems.  An understanding of the Student Resource Package, Recruitment Online, eduPay, CASES21 Administration and Finance, IED International Student Program (VISIT), Compass and similar systems would be an advantage.

SC3 - Sound demonstrated knowledge of financial management legal requirements and Department policy requirements, including around facilities hire arrangements and first aid. 

SC4 - High level organisational skills, including the capacity to prioritise workflows of self and others. 

SC5 - High level written and verbal communication skills.

Role

Attendance will not be required during school holiday periods unless specifically requested and agreed upon with the Principal.

The Business Manager is accountable for the planning, coordination, and governance of all business and administrative functions that underpin the delivery of high-quality education and school operations. This includes strategic oversight of finance and budgeting, procurement, payroll, human resources administration, disability inclusion finances, facilities and asset management, compliance, and risk management.

The position ensures that all business processes, financial systems, and administrative practices operate efficiently and transparently in accordance with Department of Education (DE) policies, audit requirements, and the School Strategic Plan. The Business Manager provides expert advice and evidence-based recommendations to the Principal and leadership team to support informed decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.

The position provides leadership, guidance, and professional support to education support staff. The role ensures that consistent standards, systems, and procedures are implemented and maintained, fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

The position requires strong analytical and communication skills, a high level of professional judgement, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational demands.

This role holds significant accountability for budget management, resource planning, workforce administration, and financial reporting across the organisation. It plays a critical role in aligning school operations with departmental requirements, ensuring the school operates efficiently, ethically, and in the best interests of its students and community.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Location Profile

Forest Hill College is a co-educational secondary college in NEVR Inner East Region of Melbourne with a current student population of 300 students. We have an SFOE of 0.28 in the low ¿medium band. 

At Forest Hill College, excellence is our standard. Guided by our values of Respect, Inspire, Success & Excellence- we deliver a rich and dynamic school experience. Our dedicated teachers deliver high quality engaging instruction that drives strong academic growth and our recently refurbished buildings offer vibrant spaces encouraging positive academic outcomes.  

To ensure our students achieve their best, we ensure all students participate in extension learning and our year 7 cohort receives 120 minutes additional Math and English teaching per week. We also offer a full breadth of VCE subjects resulting in a Median study score of 31.  

With our 2 large ovals, a full 350 seat theatre, tennis courts and futsal spaces, our students have every opportunity to participate in their passions, and these same spaces allow us to become a local community hub outside of school hours.  

Our goal is to attract staff that are committed to practice excellence. In return we offer a calm and orderly environment that empowers young people to become confident, socially responsible learners, pursuing excellence.

Responsibilities

Deliver School Services

• Manage the design and production of school publications and documents
• Create and maintain General Administration and Finance templates
• Support the Administration Team in the delivery of their first aid practices, offering first aid support when needed and ensuring that relevant OH&S checks are conducted and documentation is maintained. 

Finance

• Manage and direct the preparation of annual budgets and regular financial statements and contribute to the financial decision making of the school.
• Manage and process end of month and end of year finance procedures and produce required reports 

• Prepare bank reconcilations regularly and monitor balances and transfer requirements to ensure expenses are 

  paid on time.

   

• Manage, 

  verify and process the release of prepared payments.

   

• Review and approve purchase orders by reference to approve subprogram budgets 
• Prepare and lodge monthly BAS and annual FBT returns and workcover remuneration declarations.
• Prepare funding submissions for the leadership team and school council.
• Direct the accounting processes of the school and ensure that all funds, including school investments, are effectively accounted for according to Treasury regulations.
• Provide advice to staff on spending against budget in respect to faculties, programs and other school projects.
• Administer government grants and other school income.
• Manage fund raising activities. 
• Manage compliance status of Building and Library Funds, ensuring to transfer donations and track balances
• Track balances of 3rd party funds or specific program balances. 
• Manage the College facilities hire operation and monitor revenue against budget and assist with weekend and school holiday hire planning
• Ensure all finance processes meet Department policy
• Manage responses to auditors and participate in audits

• Manage annual review of College finance policies 

   

   

General Administration

• Ensure the provision of a range of administrative support functions for the Principal and teaching staff.
• Provide administrative support to external service providers as required.
• Manage the processing of student admissions, registrations, enrolments and transfers.
• Provide required level of administrative support for school events, functions and projects.
• Implement induction programs for new staff, volunteers and other workers to the school.
• Oversee administration of International Student program.
• Prepare Census documentation for submission

Human Resources

• Process central and local payroll

   

• Oversee and accrual and aquittal of time in lieu approved for specified activities
• Monitor leave submissions reconcile to Daily Org reports 
• Manage recruitment procedures, including bi-annual recruiting of exam supervisors.
• Provide authoritative advice to the leadership team on support structures and work practices.
• Assist in the development of work practices that ensure appropriate occupational health and safety standards are maintained.

• Support the Principal as required in procedures relating to employee relations issues.

   

• Assist in the development of human resource planning.
• Submit short term leave funding requests to the Department. 

Manage School Resources

• Coordinate the use and maintenance of school buildings 
• Liaise and negotiate with service providers in respect to the cost and quality of services.
• Supervise the delivery of relevant contracted services.
• Initiate procurement processes and prepare contract documentation using Department templates

Support School Council

• Draft reports and make recommendations on operational issues.
• Attend monthly finance committee meetings and prepare meeting documentation
• Evaluate and report on the operational efficiency of computer systems in production, making recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
• Develop techniques and procedures that will affect work practices beyond the work place.

Other duties as required by the Principal.