Business Manager of CHES: The Centre for Higher Education Studies
This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team at the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) as our new Business Manager (Level 1 - Range 4). This position attracts an incentive payment of up to $10,000 pro rata for the successful candidate. This will be paid half on commencement of employment and the balance at the start of the second year, on completion of 12 months of employment.
Contact the principal, Stewart Milner, for more information about CHES and to discuss this role further or arrange a tour of the CHES facility at or phone
There are currently 20 members of staff at CHES including the Principal, Assistant Principals, Admin Officer, Academic Support Officer, IT Manager, Science Laboratory Technician, IT & AV Technician, and several teaching staff.
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CHES has been established as a centre of excellence in programs for high-achieving and high-ability senior secondary students across Victoria. We are a co-educational, purpose-built school where high-achieving and high-ability students in Years 9 to 12 can find the support, structure and space to extend their learning beyond a standard VCE program. We opened in 2023 and our enrolments are steadily growing. We offer a suite of programs for senior students from across Victoria's government schools through our state-of-the-art facility and high-quality virtual platforms. CHES is located at 669 Chapel Street in South Yarra, next to Melbourne High School, and the facility features our reception area, auditorium, university-standard science laboratories and design rooms, recording studio, staffrooms and a professional learning space. Additionally, CHES provides general-purpose classrooms, collaboration and quiet study areas, and a distinctive rooftop terrace.
In terms of our curriculum programs, we offer selective VCE subjects and, through our partnerships with universities, we offer Higher Education Studies, which are first-year university subjects that allow students to gain ATAR points and university credits while completing their VCE studies.
Students who undertake a HES or VCE subject at CHES also have access to the student enrichment programs, which includes seminar days at CHES, and masterclasses and expos with universities. We also provide professional learning to teachers across Victoria on meeting the needs of high-ability students - and we have a strong partnership with the Department of Education's Student Excellence division.
Students participating in CHES programs remain enrolled at their secondary school and are supported to undertake a program through CHES as part of their VCE program. Working in close partnership with base schools, students will be enrolled in a CHES course for a fraction of their timetable (typically students study one or two subjects with us) with the remainder of their enrolment and timetable reflecting the subjects being completed at their base school.
CHES has also established partnerships with a foundation network of five local schools (Mac.Robertson Girls High School, Melbourne Girls College, Melbourne High School, Prahran High School and Richmond High School) and those schools can teach some of their own VCE classes within the CHES facility when our spaces are not fully utilised for CHES programs.
The overarching strategic objectives of CHES are to:
* improve access to tertiary courses and strengthen tertiary pathways for students
* making available enrichment and extension opportunities to further stretch and challenge senior students
* provide additional opportunities for academic stretch and challenge to high-achieving and high-ability students in rural and regional areas and those in priority cohorts.
To enable students across Victoria to access CHES programs, including rural and regional students, our programs are accessible through virtual platforms as well as on-site. Given our unique offerings, the Minister for Education has approved special criteria for enrolment to a CHES program. CHES uses a hy-flex approach to teaching and state-of-the-art technology to support the integration of all students, regardless of where in Victoria they may be based.
Access to CHES
CHES is an award-winning 4 storey state-of-the-art facility with university-standard resources, located centrally on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Consistent with other inner city vertical schools, there is no staff car parking available on-site but there is convenient access through a range of public transport options nearby.
Selection Criteria
SC1
Demonstrated capacity to lead an office team, including capacity for directing the work of others.
SC2
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in respect to human resource and financial management records systems.
SC3
Sound knowledge of financial management legal requirements and practices, including the capacity to produce reports and provide advice in respect to those reports.
SC4
High level organisational skills, including the capacity to prioritise work flows.
SC5
High level written and verbal communication skills.
Role
A Business Manager role will usually undertake tasks that impact on the whole school. The role seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, finance or human resources.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice in matters relating to the school finance, human resources or school administration.
Attendance requirements for this position can be negotiated.
Responsibilities
Human Resources Administration
* Lead the Education Support Staff and oversee roles of Admin Officer and Academic Support Officer.
* Manage staff leave, Time in Lieu, Recruitment Online, special payments, over/under payments, SLP timesheets, and Cases21 processing.
* Maintain accurate staff records.
* Organise First Aid training.
Finance Management
* Draft Student Resource Package (SRP) credit budgets and manage cash flow.
* Oversee creditors, families, and sundry debtors.
* Advise staff on budgeting and procurement processes.
* Manage End of Month/Year financial processes.
* Oversee procurement and corporate purchase card management.
* Prepare EOFY reporting in Cases21 and liaise with the ATO.
* Manage operating leases, balance day adjustments, and track outstanding purchase orders.
Audit and Compliance
* Manage annual audits for finance, enrolment, assets, ESM, and Occupational Health & Safety.
Administration and Enrolments
* Oversee Cases21 administration, including end-of-year rollover.
* Manage staff processing, transfers, and resignations.
* Oversee furniture procurement and ensure accurate census data.
* Prepare EOFY attestation and complete annual NCCD reporting.
* Manage new enrolments, exiting students, and the enrolment inbox.
* Oversee Student Data Transfers for incoming students.
* Manage medical plans, media permissions, event permissions, and International Student Program administration.
Facilities and Asset Management
* Manage routine maintenance schedules and contractors, including cleaning services.
* Approve work orders, minor works, and assist with major works.
* Maintain keys register, security, heating and cooling systems.
* Manage hirers, pricing, agreements, and insurances.
* Maintain Cases21 Asset Register, ensure proper asset disposal, and secure School Council approval for assets.
First Aid and Safety
* Ensure staff adhere to first aid policy.
* Administer first aid and medication as required.
* Manage EduSafe reporting.
School Council Support
* Draft agendas and prepare minutes for School Council and Finance sub-committee meetings.
* Chair Finance sub-committee meetings.
* Contribute to implementing policies including Cash Handling, Electronic Funds Management, School Purchasing Card, First Aid, Health Care Needs, Medication, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, and Parent Payments.