Leanne Buller

As the Business Manager, I

• Provide high level strategic advice, analysis and support to the Principal and the senior management team in relation to financial planning and budgeting, human resource management and facility and asset management.
• Lead and manage the strategic operations of the school to ensure that day to day financial, physical and school support resources are managed professionally to align with departmental priorities.
• Operate in a sizeable school environment featuring various complexities, promote novel approaches in the business services management of the school, and develop innovative approaches that define best practice for other schools.
• Lead the delivery of school wide corporate services in a large and complex school environment where novel approaches are required to redefine standards, systems and processes to ensure the integrity of organisational operations; plan, direct and manage the schools operational resources in line with school objectives and priorities; collect and analyse information, policies or procedures to understand the status quo and develop/modify broadly based operational policies which help shape, define and implement business strategy; and engage in extensive risk planning and contingency management.
• Manage the corporate information systems and processes within the school, recommending opportunities to adapt existing approaches and employ technology to drive system improvement. Critically analyse, review and refine systems and processes in line with continuous improvement practices, and shape new policy directions for the school.
• Lead and manage human resources for school support staff (including the identification of emerging talent, promotion of excellent performance outcomes and mentoring individuals to achieve their professional potential); and provide advice on a diverse range of human resource management practices (e.g. employee relations, recruitment, payroll anomalies, workplace health and safety, performance management, etc.). In collaboration with the Principal, lead change management and provide strategic solutions to human resources issues that are non-routine in nature and achieve long-term strategic impact for the school.
• Provide high level strategic advice to the Principal and Executive Management team regarding the development and ongoing management of the school’s annual budget in accordance with operational plans and departmental requirements. Manage the school budget (with the support of tools such as OneSchool) to effectively analyse and report on financial performance against agreed objectives through the development of monitoring and reporting systems. Analyse systems and processes to ensure the financial integrity of business operations.
• Manage significant facilities projects, negotiate with external contractors to ensure accountability for school maintenance, develop and implement initiatives for facilities management, asset maintenance and replacement plans.
• Exert considerable influence on, and negotiate with key stakeholders and persuade stakeholders to work towards a strategic vision for the school. Develop and maintain partnerships with parents, other government agencies, community groups, industry and businesses to ensure strategic alignment with learning outcomes for all students. Actively identify opportunities to engage these stakeholders in ongoing school initiatives, address their input and feedback, and therefore promote common goals and objectives for the school.
• Establish local and state (and in some instances national and international) networks and liaise with other Business Managers, central office and corporate personnel to enhance individual school operations and provide advice and feedback for improvements in communication protocols and systematic services. Other responsibilities (as required)
• Scan the external environment for novel techniques and processes that could be implemented within the school to foster innovative operational approaches that bring considerable value to the school. (e.g. this may include the application and management of additional funding opportunities).
• Develop differentiated marketing strategies that utilise contemporary technology (e.g. apps, social media) to promote and uniquely position the school to the wider community and build relationships with key partners.
• Undertake scenario planning to mitigate risk. Identify complexities that accompany the resources available and work with these to achieve the key objectives of the school, managing conflicting expectations and considerable resistance to change.
• Actively manage school commercial endeavours (e.g. school facilities hire), including recruitment of staff/volunteers.

• Developed training materials, including manuals, guides and handouts.
• Conducted assessments to determine skill gaps of existing personnel.
• Provided coaching and mentorship programs for staff members.
• Monitored progress of trainees through feedback from managers and supervisors.
• Identified areas of improvement in existing training methods and procedures.
• Created post-training evaluation surveys to measure performance improvement.

• Recruited, interviewed and selected job applicants for various positions.
• Created and maintained accurate records of employee performance reviews, attendance, disciplinary actions, benefits information.
• Conducted exit interviews to assess reasons for employee departure.
• Developed, evaluated and updated personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Managed employee relations issues including conflict resolution, grievances and complaints.
• Provided guidance on employee development programs such as training sessions or workshops.
• Developed effective strategies for retaining top talent within the organisation.
• Prepared budgets related to personnel costs and monitored payroll processing activities.
• Monitored workers' compensation claims to reduce liability exposure of the company.
• Provided advice regarding career progression opportunities to employees.
• Collaborated with department heads to develop strategies aimed at improving overall employee engagement levels.