Group Business & Operations Manager in Perth

Job Description: Group Business & Operations Manager

Role overview

Glenalmond Group UK is seeking a highly organised, commercially aware and discreet Business & Operations Manager to provide wide-ranging operational, administrative and business support across the organisation.

This is a varied role supporting the effective running of key business functions, including HR administration, procurement, contract management, compliance, quality assurance, parental communications on fees and executive support. The postholder will work closely with the Director of Finance and Commercial and other senior colleagues to ensure that core operational processes are well managed, properly documented and delivered to a high standard.

The successful candidate will be practical, detail-oriented, tenacious and confident working across multiple priorities. They will be comfortable handling confidential information, coordinating stakeholders, improving processes and supporting the smooth delivery of business operations across a busy education-focused environment.

Line Management

Reports to: Director of Finance and Commercial

HR operational support

The Group Business & Operations Manager will provide practical HR administration and operational support, ensuring employment processes are accurate, timely and compliant.

Responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, issuing and maintaining employment contracts, offer letters, contract variations and related HR documentation.
• Supporting recruitment administration, including interview coordination, candidate correspondence and onboarding arrangements.
• Maintaining accurate organisational structures, employee records, personnel files and HR systems.
• Supporting pre-employment checks, right to work documentation, references, safeguarding checks and other compliance requirements.
• Assisting with induction processes and ensuring new starters receive relevant documentation and information.
• Supporting absence records, probabil review administration, staff changes and leaver processes.
• Liaising with internal colleagues and external HR advisers as required.
• Ensuring confidentiality and discretion in all HR-related matters.

Procurement, tendering and contract management

The postholder will support procurement activity across the organisation, helping to ensure thatpurchasing decisions are well documented, compliant and commercially sound.

Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting procurement and tendering processes, including preparation of tender documents, supplier communications and collation of responses.
• Assisting with supplier selection processes, evaluation documentation and procurement records.
• Developing and maintaining contract registers, procurement files and key supplier documentation.
• Supporting the review, renewal and administration of supplier contracts.
• Tracking contract deadlines, renewal dates, service levels and agreed actions.
• Liaising with suppliers, internal budget holders and senior colleagues to ensure procurement activity is coordinated effectively.
• Supporting value-for-money reviews and helping identify opportunities to improve supplier arrangements.
• Ensuring procurement activity follows agreed internal policies, approval routes and governance requirements.

Executive assistant support to the Director of Finance and Commercial

The role will provide high-quality executive and administrative support to the Director of Finance and Commercial, enabling effective prioritisation, communication and delivery.

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing diaries, meetings, appointments and priorities for the Director of Finance and Commercial.
• Coordinating meeting papers, agendas, minutes, actions and follow-up activity.
• Preparing correspondence, reports, briefing notes, presentations and documentation as required.
• Supporting project tracking and ensuring key actions and deadlines are monitored.
• Handling confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Acting as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders where appropriate.
• Coordinating travel, events, meetings and administrative arrangements as required.
• Helping the Director manage competing priorities across finance, commercial, operational and strategic workstreams.

Parent communication, pupil travel and bursary support

The Business & Operations Manager will support selective parent-facing communications, particularly in relation to bursaries and financial support processes. They will also have responsibility for working with other staff to oversee transport companies to co-ordinate pupil travel arrangements in compliance with the relevant legislation when pupils arrive and depart the schools. Other key relationships are:

• The Warden, Headteacher and other Senior leadership colleagues
• HR advisers and internal managers
• Finance and admissions teams
• ICT, Estates and operational teams
• External suppliers and contractors
• Parents and guardians where relevant
• Compliance, governance and quality assurance stakeholders

Safeguarding and confidentiality

Glenalmond Group UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be expected to share this commitment and comply with all relevant safeguarding, safer recruitment and child protection procedures.

The postholder will handle confidential and sensitive information relating to staff, parents, pupils, suppliers and commercial matters. They must maintain the highest standards of discretion, professionalism and data protection at all times.

What we offer

• A varied and influential role supporting key business operations.
• The opportunity to work closely with senior leadership.
• Scope to improve systems, processes and operational assurance.
• A professional and collaborative working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits, dependent on experience.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in an operational, administrative, or business support role — ideally in education, professional services, or a multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of HR administration, including contracts, onboarding, record-keeping, and compliance processes.
• Experience supporting procurement, contract management, or tendering activity.
• Track record of providing executive support to a senior leader, including diary management, meeting coordination, and confidential correspondence.
• Highly organised with strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a professional and confident manner.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and experience using HR or business systems.
• Ability to handle confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Relevant business administration or management qualification.

Understanding of:

• Recruitment and pre-employment checking requirements, including safer recruitment and safeguarding.
• Data protection principles
• Tendering procedures and contract management

Personal qualities:

• Practical, tenacious, and detail-oriented.
• Professional, discreet, and able to build trusted relationships across senior leadership, staff, parents, and external suppliers.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently across two locations.
• Flexible and adaptable to the changing priorities of a busy operational environment.

Desirable

• Experience working in an independent school or broader education sector.
• Process improvement experience — identifying inefficiencies and implementing better systems or workflows.

Terms & Conditions

• Contract: Full-time, permanent (some flexibility can be offered)
• Onsite: This role will require time split working between Glenalmond College and Craigclowan School.

Salary Scale

• Salary: Competitive, based on experience
• Pension: The College provides a defined contribution pension.

Other Benefits

• Fee concessions are available for staff children who attend Glenalmond, and there are various reciprocal arrangements with local Prep schools.

The Deadline

Closing date for this post is 21st August at 17.00. Interviews will take place shortly thereafter and a view to starting on 1st October 2026.

Equal Opportunities

Glenalmond College is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.