General Manager

Job Description

THE ROLE

The General Manager reports to the Principal. The purpose of the role is to work with the Principal, the

owners and the Governing Body to deliver the School’s strategic vision. The General Manager has

responsibility for non-teaching functions and must work closely with the School’s senior leadership to

ensure that all services and functions operate effectively and efficiently, and to support its academic and

pastoral strategic and operational objectives. The General Manager will also line-manage the Heads of

Estates, Service Support, the Director of IT, the Medical Centre, external contractors and the Commercial

Manager. The duties and tasks detailed below will be performed by the General Manager or, by delegated

authority, the Operational and Administrative managers as appropriate:
Estate Management
- Line-manage the Head of Estates to achieve the following:

- Maintenance of the School’s buildings, grounds, gardens and all-weather pitches to the

required standard.
- All capital building projects completed to specifications, on time and within budget.
- Establishment of a programme of planned maintenance for all properties.
- Where possible, the introduction of initiatives to reduce the School’s environmental

footprint and energy consumption.
- In conjunction with the Principal, ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective allocation

of staff housing.
- Ensure that the School’s external security company operates effectively and consult with

Senior Managers frequently to implement any changes that may be required.
- Ensure that adequate insurance cover is always in place.
- Attend PGV (Wisdom Valley) meetings to ensure a smooth working relationship

IT Management
- Line-manage the Director of IT to achieve the following:

- Line-manage the Director of IT to achieve the following:

- Work with the SLT to develop and implement an IT and communications strategy that will

allow the effective provision of IT resources for all areas of the School’s operations.
- Proper and efficient management of the IT staff to ensure that the IT facilities and services

support the School in achieving its operational objectives.
- Assist with the meeting the requirements of data protection legislation.
- Manage the cost-effective purchasing, maintenance and disposal of IT hardware, software,

communications equipment, printers, photocopiers and consumables.
- Ensure training, appraisals and SOPs are in place for the department

Service Support Management
- Line-manage the Head of Service Support to achieve the following:

- Provision of the effective management of boarding and day house staff, including matrons,

cleaners and maintenance staff.
- Oversee all domestic services operations.
- In liaison with the external catering company, ensure that the provision of catering is of a

high quality and is value for money.
- Re-negotiate catering contracts and oversee tenders for the services as required.
- Ensure that the School complies with all Health and Safety and Safeguarding legislation,

including the relevant BSO Standards, and recommend changes to policies and procedures

as required.
- Chair regular Food Committees in the community to ensure views and improvements can

be aired and addressed.
- Ensure training, appraisals and SOPs are in place for the department

Medical Centre Management
- Line-manage the Head of Service Support to achieve the following:

- Provision of the effective management of the School nurses and medical centres.
- Ensure training, appraisals and SOPs are in place for the department.
- Ensure that adequate student insurance cover is always in place.

Commercial Management
- Line-manage the Commercial Manager to achieve the following:

- Delivery of rapid, profitable growth of WeVenture.
- Identify and deliver commercial ventures through capitalising on the School’s assets and

infrastructure.
- Identify, research and introduce new markets and revenue-earning opportunities.
- Effective management of the School’s sports centres for both the School and external use.
- Effective management of the Director of Camps and Outdoor Education and upkeep and

development of the Outdoor Education Centre.

Financial Management
- Work closely with the Governing Body, its Finance Committee, the Principal, CFO and the senior

leadership of the School to establish, develop and achieve strategic financial objectives.
- In co-operation with the senior leadership, recommend to the Governing Body and its Finance

Committee strategic and operational financial opportunities and threats.
- Ensure that the long-term strategic objectives of the School are reflected in detailed financial

projections with regard to operational spending, CapEx, maintenance and refurbishments..
- Ensure that financial controls are robust and appropriate to the needs of the School and its related

operational activities, including WeVenture (RST’s commercial arm).
- In consultation with