Secondary School Cover Manager in Manchester

Smile Education are recruiting an organised and proactive Cover Manager to support the day‑to‑day operation of a secondary school in North Manchester. This key operational role focuses on coordinating short‑term staffing, managing daily absence cover and ensuring lessons continue with minimal disruption. The successful candidate will help build an effective in‑house cover team while working with recruitment agencies when additional staff are required. Salary will reflect relevant experience.

Role Overview

• Organise daily teaching cover across the school, reviewing staff absences, allocating internal Cover Supervisors, arranging agency staff and communicating cover information before lessons begin.
• Act as the main contact for temporary staff, ensuring they understand their timetable, key contacts, safeguarding procedures, behaviour expectations and school systems.
• Maintain accurate absence, booking and timesheet records and provide wider administrative support where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily staff absences and arrange suitable classroom cover.
• Build and coordinate the school’s in‑house cover team.
• Allocate Cover Supervisors and available teaching staff effectively.
• Work with approved recruitment agencies when additional staff are required.
• Produce and communicate daily cover arrangements accurately.
• Welcome temporary staff and provide the necessary timetable, site and safeguarding information.
• Maintain accurate records of absences, bookings, hours worked and authorised timesheets.
• Use the school’s Management Information System to manage cover data.
• Respond to unexpected staffing issues and timetable changes throughout the day.
• Support the induction and ongoing coordination of Cover Supervisors.
• Provide wider administrative and operational support where required.

Requirements

• Have direct Cover Manager experience, or relevant experience in school administration, general administration, recruitment coordination or a similar role.
• Demonstrate strong organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Communicate confidently with senior leaders, teaching staff, temporary workers and agencies.
• Have accurate record‑keeping skills and close attention to detail.
• Be confident using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and digital administrative systems.
• Have experience using a school Management Information System, with Arbor experience desirable.
• Understand timesheet and temporary staffing processes, or be able to learn them quickly.
• Work independently while maintaining clear communication with the wider school team.
• Hold an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or be willing to obtain one.
• Have the right to work in the UK.

Pay & Benefits

• £26,000–£34,000 per year, dependent on experience.
• Applications considered from candidates without previous Cover Manager experience where they have a strong school‑based or administrative background.
• Long‑term opportunity within a secondary school.
• Dedicated support from an experienced education consultant.
• Ongoing guidance throughout the placement.
• Potential for the position to lead to further long‑term opportunities.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Smile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be required to complete full compliance checks, including an Enhanced DBS, Barred List and Prohibited List checks, right to work verification, qualification checks and reference checks. All staff are expected to share this commitment and uphold the highest professional standards.