Office Manager, Maternity Cover

Can you demonstrate experience of working as an Office Manager in a busy, deadline driven environment and line managing a team? Are you familiar with providing comprehensive administrative support to senior leadership, ideally within an education setting?

Do you have proven experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of key stakeholders, with exceptional people skills and a commitment to providing a high level of customer service?

The Dorset Centre of Excellence, which includes Coombe House School, has a maternity cover position for a dynamic Office Manager on a fixed term contract period from 17th March 2025 until 16th January 2026.

Reporting to the HR Manager, and working closely with the Managing Director, Headteacher and other senior leaders this position offers challenge, variety and learning opportunities. Supervision and line management responsibility for a team of three - the EHCP Co-ordinator/Administrator, Receptionist/Office Administrator, and the Exams and Assessment Co-ordinator/Administrator.

The Office Manager is a pivotal role at the heart of our school and Company, responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective running of the main office, including reception, and encompasses all aspects of office management and administration, working collaboratively with the Head Teacher, Deputy Head, Managing Director, and other senior leaders. As part of your role you will support the DSL by communicating with other schools regarding safeguarding files, and attend weekly SLT meetings (preparing paperwork and taking minutes).

It is essential that you are highly proficiency in using Management Information Systems (e.g. Arbor), have excellent IT skills (MS 365, SharePoint, Teams, Excel and Word) to maintain and ensure data integrity, accuracy, and effective usage.

We are looking for someone who will bring enthusiasm, initiative, good humour and a clear appreciation of our main purpose to serve the needs of all young people. It is important to us that we have the right person for the team and someone with a passion for office management and demonstrates strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills. Key to the role is the ability to manage competing priorities, lead and develop a team, and uphold the values of Coombe House School while delivering exceptional service to staff, students, parents, and visitors.

Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role.

About the Dorset Centre of Excellence: 

The Dorset Centre of Excellence is located at the eastern edge of Shaftesbury, approximately 2.3 miles from the town centre. The site is accessed via a private road and enjoys a secluded setting within its grounds. The accommodation extends to over 160,000 sq ft, set within in grounds of 55 acres. 

Coombe House School located at the Dorset Centre of Excellence meets the needs of children and young people with social communication, social emotional and learning needs, and all are supported by an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  

Joining our team means working in a supportive community where your contributions will make a real difference. What the Dorset Centre of Excellence can offer you:

• A workplace set in beautiful surroundings.
• Competitive salary.
• 31 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.  
• Access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme. 
• Enhanced Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution).
• Continuous professional development and training.
• Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.
• Death in Service (3 x salary).
• Health Care Plan after probation period - claim back costs towards dental check-ups, eye tests, prescription charges and therapies. 
• Wellbeing support, including qualified Mental Health First Aiders on staff body.

This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Salary - £35,235 full time, all year 

Hours - Full time (08.00-16.00 Monday to Thursday, 08.00-15.30 Friday) an 08.30 start is also optional, with a later finish.

Contract - Fixed Term Contract from 17^th March 2025 until 16^th January 2026

Closing date for applications:  15 January 2025

Interviews will be held on the 29^th and 30^th January 2025

NOTE: We will close the post earlier if sufficient suitable applications are received. We will not accept speculative CVs through agencies for this appointment. Direct applications only.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require any further details please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager on 01747 449 858 or by email hr@coombehouse.org.uk  

We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.