Selection Criteria
- KSC1: Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage a diverse school administration and facilities team, including the ability to plan and coordinate workflows, allocate resources effectively, and provide guidance and support to team members to achieve school-wide operational goals.
- KSC 2: Extensive knowledge and experience in financial management, including budget planning, financial reporting, payroll processes, cash flow monitoring, reconciliations, and the ability to use DET financial systems (e.g., CASES21, EduPay) to ensure compliance, accountability, and accuracy in school financial operations.
- KSC 3: Demonstrated high-level capability in managing school facilities and operational systems, including maintenance scheduling, contractor and trades coordination, and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations such as the Essential Safety Measures (ESM), Asset Information Management System (AIMS), and other OHS requirements.
- KSC 4: Proven ability to develop, review, and implement administrative and operational policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with Departmental guidelines, legislation, and best practice standards.
- KSC 5: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive and professional relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders including school staff, students, families, contractors, and external agencies.
Role
The Business Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the College¿s financial, human resource, compliance, administrative and facilities functions, overseeing and managing key operational systems that enable the effective delivery of the School Strategic Plan.
This includes:
- Financial planning, budgeting, reporting and accountability processes, including advice to the Principal and School Council.
- Human resources administration, including payroll, workforce data, and recruitment coordination.
- Oversight of facilities and asset management, including maintenance planning, contractor and trades coordination, capital works, Essential Safety Measures compliance, AIMS updates, and OHS alignment.
- Procurement, contract management and service agreements to ensure value for money and alignment with DET policy and audit expectations.
- Leadership, development and performance support for administration and facilities staff to build capability and maintain high service standards.
This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and decision-making authority within the Department of Education and school policy framework, contributing to whole-school planning, policy development and the strategic and operational success of the College.
Responsibilities
Financial Management and Accountability
- Lead the development, monitoring, and reporting of the College¿s annual budget, ensuring alignment with the school¿s strategic priorities and contributing to high-level financial decision-making.
- Provide financial advice and guidance to staff regarding budget allocations and expenditure.
- Ensure compliance with DE financial policies, procedures, Treasury regulations, and audit requirements, maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency.
- Prepare and present detailed financial reports, analysis, and recommendations to School Council and the Principal to support effective governance and evidence-based decision-making.
- Oversee all accounting, payroll, procurement, and asset management functions, ensuring effective internal controls and the efficient management of school funds and resources.
- Manage the administration of government grants, fundraising activities, and other income streams, ensuring compliance with Departmental and governance requirements.
- Monitor the Student Resource Package (SRP) and payroll, including fortnightly salary transaction reports, reconciliations, and short-term leave reimbursements.
- Complete all statutory reporting requirements e.g. GST, FBT
- Manage the coordination and completion of financial audit processes when the school is selected to undertake a formal audit.
- Complete end of month and end of year financial reporting in accordance with DET requirements.
- Authorisation of Purchase Orders in consultation with the agreed Cash Budget
- Compile and monitor the Student Resource Package (SRP) online planner and provide advice to the principal in managing the workforce budget
Human Resources Management
- Oversee all human resource functions, including recruitment, payroll, workforce data management and employment records, ensuring compliance with Department of Education (DE) policies and procedures.
- Contribute to long-term workforce planning aligned with the College¿s strategic and operational objectives.
- Serve as the College¿s Return to Work Coordinator, overseeing WorkCover claims and facilitating employee return-to-work plans.
- Manage and maintain staff employment records, including salaries, special payments, student teacher supervision allowances, and work schedule adjustments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant policies.
- Demonstrated expert knowledge of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA), employment entitlements, and conditions, providing expert advice and guidance to the staff and Principal to support sound workforce management and decision-making.
Manage School Facilities and Resources
- Coordinate the strategic use, maintenance, and ongoing management of school buildings, grounds, and equipment to support safe, functional, and effective learning environments.
- Liaise, negotiate, and manage service providers and contractors, ensuring value for money, quality of service, and compliance with contractual obligations.
- Oversee Joint Use Agreements, Canteen Licence Agreements, Community Language School Agreements and DET Cleaning Contracts.
- Oversee the Asset Information Management System (AIMS) to track maintenance schedules including routine maintenance and condition based maintenance tasks.
- Schedule and document planned maintenance activities across all trades and services, including air conditioning, electrical, test and tag, pest control, gardening, and departmental inspections.
- Coordinate contractors to ensure works are carried out safely, with minimal disruption, and in accordance with school and legislative standards.
- Participate in the OHS Committee and assist with ensuring the College complies with all OHS regulations.
- Ensure all facilities and equipment are appropriately maintained, all college assets registered and required stocktake of assets conducted as per DET requirements.
- Oversee the implementation and induction of appropriate DET OHS and risk management procedures ensuring contractor and staff compliance with legislative standards.
- Manage supplementary VMIA insurance coverage beyond what is provided by the Department, ensuring appropriate levels of protection.
- Coordinating the lodgement and follow-up of insurance claims.
- Utilise school management systems including eduSafe Plus and AIMS, to document, track, and report risks, facilities, maintenance, and OHS requirements in line with Department policy.
- Prepare Buildings and Grounds report for School Council.
People Leadership and Team Development
- Lead and support administration and facilities staff, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and service excellence.
- Facilitate regular team meetings with administration staff to promote collaboration, share updates, and enhance professional practice.
- Conduct termly one-on-one meetings with administration staff to set and review professional learning goals and develop tailored professional development plans.
- Take a proactive leadership role in ensuring Educational Support staff have access to, and engage in, relevant professional development opportunities, both within the College and through external providers.
Other
- Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, policy development, and leadership team decision-making.
- Identify and implement operational improvements to enhance school efficiency and service delivery.
- Prepare updates for "Principal communications" on Teams, including staff compliance and operational information.
- Provide financial information and updates to the school community (for example, Parent Payments and CSEF) through newsletters and Compass newsfeeds.
- Arrange VMIA insurance coverage for relevant activities, including domestic and international student travel.
- Other duties as determined by College Principal
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 [email protected]
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
Established in 1977, Highvale Secondary College is a 7-12 co-educational single school campus located in Glen Waverley within the City of Monash. Our College has approximately 1200 students enrolled, including 50 International Students from several different countries. The College is a registered provider of the International Student program. Our student body is divided into the Junior School Years 7 ¿ 9 and Senior School Years 10-12. The schools SFOE index is 0.1905 which is classed as low. The school has 110.41 equivalent full-time staff: 4 Principal class, 83.8 teaching staff and 23.61 education support staff.
In 2019, the school completed a major refurbishment creating modern teaching spaces, including specialist spaces for all learning domains, a purpose-built Theatre, a well-resourced Library, Robotics and 3D printing room, Careers Centre and Wellbeing Centre providing a welcoming and safe space. Our Senior Study Centre provides a collaborative study space and is supervised to ensure students maximise this area. Students can access numerous recreational spaces, including our gymnasium and hardcourt surface basketball courts, large oval and outdoor table tennis tables. The College has established gardens and large shaded spaces that provide tranquil areas for students to relax and catch up with friends during recess and lunchtimes.
Highvale Secondary College has a culture which aims to empower students to be active, motivated, and independent learners, working co-operatively and individually to prepare them for a digital and changing society. Our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework aims to create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment, and student voice is encouraged throughout the entire school. The College values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Integrity, and Excellence are central to our school culture and are embedded in all elements of our school.
Our Learning and Teaching programs are designed to cater for the learning needs of all students through differentiation to ensure that they are challenged. We have a vertically structured curriculum that offers a broad range of subjects as students make choices based on ability and interest. We actively promote academic excellence with an emphasis on acceleration, enrichment, student leadership and promotion of positive self-esteem. There is opportunity to accelerate into Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) studies at year 10, as well as Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) options.
Our highly recognised Instrumental Music Program enables students to develop skills and expertise, providing a valuable co-curricular experience. Students can learn and play a variety of instruments, including strings, brass woodwind, percussion, and voice. Our students have the opportunity of performing in several bands and ensembles within our school and throughout the wider community to further connect with our school and perform in front of authentic audiences. The college also offers a range of other opportunities for students including, sporting opportunities, clubs, school camps at Years 7, 11 and 12, and international experiences.