**The Role**:
The idóneo Business Manager will support the schools’ Directors / Headteachers in the management and achievement of the schools’ objectives within the non-T&L; areas. Focus on: (i) income generation (with a special focus on new areas / streams) and (ii) cost contention / reduction and smart investing (operational efficiency); always following the policies and standards established by the Group. In addition, to promote the cultural and mindset change required to drive and effectively implement the corporate strategic plans. Typical business size: €20-30M turnover.
**Key Responsibilities will include, (but not limited to)**:
**Strategic Planning**
- Support the Headteacher with all strategic planning: 5-year-plan, yearly budgets, yearly marketing plans etc.
**Commercial and Operational Performance**
- Support the Headteacher in investing sensibly to improve the quality of education provided by the school; making the school distinctive so that parents chose and remain at our school
- Where relevant produce investment memos to justify extra investment in the school as a key incentive for parents to choose and stay at our schools.
- Analysis of all internal processes in order to find points of improvement with a positive impact on the school’s financials, either short or long term
- Ensure the financial management accuracy and compliance with the company policies.
- Look for new sources of income/profit (extra-curricular activities, services).
- Define and adapt the cost structure to the capacity of revenue generation of the school in each moment.
- Continuously seek for cost contention and smart investment in Staff & Opex.
- Collaborate and support the SLT decision process by providing the commercial and financial intelligence they need (analysis and reports).
- Champion the knowledge of the market/catchment area of influence of the school, and drive action from key insights.
- Seek for excellence in the operations and services provided by the school and secure compliance with public and corporate policies.
**Community Management**
- Directly manage of Marketing, Comms and Admissions, Finance, HR, Operations/Facilities/IT and admin, thereby allowing for a smoother coordination with the different areas at the SCP (regional office) level.
- Maintain fluid and constant communication / relationships with the official School’s community (parents, staff, pupils, suppliers), the Union, and with the Cognita community.
- Manage customers’ doubts, queries, complaints, claims, etc, related to any of the Finance, Operations and HR areas, involving the relevant departments when required.
- Monitor and analyse current ways of working to find efficiencies and implement improvement to impact customer service and levels of satisfaction.
- University Degree (ADE, Economics, Engineering or related); postgraduate studies (MBA, PDD) are highly valued.
- Meaningful experience: at least 5 years as manager of a Finance (preferably) and/or Operations Department as well as experience in managing teams in services companies and/or highly regulated industries. Willing to step up to a General Management position. Experience in the school environment would be a plus (but not essential).
- Personal interest for education; sensitivity about the intrinsic difficulties of working in a regulated environment.
- Digital competences, agile usage of social media and common software. Experience with CRM software.
- Languages: Spanish and English.
**Preferred Skills**:
- Leadership: management of multiple stakeholders
- Comfortable with regularly switching between strategic mindset and operational execution
- Strong communication skills, polished communication, verbally and in written form
- Proficient command of Spanish and English
- Negotiation skills in transcultural situations
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload
- Analytical, data driven
- Team development
- Customer Focus: Listening to and satisfying customer needs
- Knowledge Management: Obtains and shares relevant information
- Managing change: Ensuring that morale and motivation are high
**Diversity and Inclusion**:
We believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair, inclusive and equitable in our recruitment process.
**Safeguarding Responsibilities**:
- To comply with safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct
- To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding & student/colleague wellbeing
- To ensure that safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately in line with policy
- To engage in safeguarding training when required
- Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken