School Office Manager - Large Secondary School - Leeds,...

Leadership Opportunity within a High-Performing 11–18 Academy

An established and well-regarded 11–18 secondary school in Leeds is seeking an experienced and highly organised School Office Manager to lead its front office and administrative function. This is a pivotal role within the school, overseeing daily operations of a busy reception and administrative team while ensuring the smooth running of systems that support over 1,200 pupils and more than 150 staff.

The school is part of a strong local educational landscape and has built a reputation for calm corridors, purposeful classrooms and clear routines. Leadership is visible and structured, and operational efficiency is seen as central to the school’s continued success.

The Role
As School Office Manager, you will take responsibility for coordinating all administrative services across the school. You will line manage a team of receptionists and administrators, ensuring consistency in processes, professionalism in communication, and high standards of service for parents, staff and visitors.

This is not simply a desk-based role — it is a leadership position that sits at the heart of the school’s daily functioning.

Your responsibilities will include:
• Leading and developing the front office team, setting clear expectations and ensuring high service standards
• Overseeing reception, visitor management and safeguarding sign-in procedures
• Managing communication systems including SIMS, Arbor or equivalent MIS platforms
• Coordinating admissions administration and supporting transition processes
• Overseeing attendance reporting procedures alongside pastoral teams
• Managing school communications including letters, newsletters and parent correspondence
• Supporting SLT with diary coordination, meeting logistics and event organisation
• Ensuring GDPR compliance and secure record keeping
• Contributing to operational planning and administrative process improvements

The School Environment
This large, modern secondary school benefits from purpose-built facilities, including a central administration suite that operates as the hub of the school. The office team plays a vital role in maintaining the calm and professional atmosphere the school is known for.

Staff describe the culture as structured yet supportive. There are clear systems in place, but also autonomy and trust for experienced professionals. Senior leaders value operational expertise and regularly consult support staff when refining systems and procedures.

What We’re Looking For
• Proven experience in school administration, ideally in a supervisory or management capacity
• Strong working knowledge of MIS systems (SIMS, Arbor or similar)
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Confidence in leading and motivating a team
• Strong communication skills and a professional, approachable manner
• Sound understanding of safeguarding, GDPR and school compliance requirements

Why Join?
• A respected secondary school with stable leadership and low staff turnover
• A well-established administrative structure with opportunity to shape improvements
• Competitive salary aligned with responsibility
• Clear reporting lines and genuine inclusion within the wider leadership structure
• A positive working environment where support staff are valued as professionals

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced school administrator ready to step into a leadership role within a high-functioning and ambitious secondary setting.

If you are a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a structured and fast-paced environment, we would be pleased to receive your CV.