- Avid reader and member of a book club
- Walking and climbing mountains
- A keen gardener and garden designer
- Enjoys going to the gym and participating in Yoga and Pilates
Zoe Davis
Didcot,Oxfordshire
Summary
Results-driven professional in educational administration and human resources, skilled in communication and relationship building to enhance collaboration among teams. Experienced in managing office operations, coordinating meetings, and maintaining accurate records. Excels in fast-paced environments, ensuring timely completion of tasks and fostering effective communication.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
School Business Manager
Calcot Services for Children
02.2022 - Current
- Supported two special needs schools by coordinating business needs and daily operations.
- Managed school's financial operations, including budget planning, forecasting, and reporting to maximise resource utilisation.
- Implemented robust financial controls and auditing processes to maintain integrity and accuracy of school finances.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers and service providers, securing cost-effective deals to support financial sustainability.
- Improve school operations by coordinating daily facilities management, building works, and contractors.
- Owned minute-taking for regular governance meetings to support compliant decision tracking.
- Coordinated IT operations across two schools to support consistent service delivery.
- Developed successful strategies and policies, meeting organisational needs and implementing improvements.
- Managed daily operations of educational activities, ensuring smooth functioning and compliance with standards.
- Supervised administrative staff, delegating tasks effectively to enhance operational efficiency and staff productivity.
- Administered payroll and human resources functions, ensuring compliance with employment law and school policies.
- Conducted risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimise potential disruptions to school operations.
- Led crisis management efforts, developing and implementing emergency plans to safeguard students and staff in critical situations.
- Coordinated maintenance and facilities management to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students and staff.
- Monitored regulatory compliance across all school operations, ensuring adherence to national education standards and legislation.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to support curriculum delivery, resource allocation, and enrichment programmes.
- Organised professional development training for staff, enhancing skills and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
- Coordinated events and activities, enhancing school spirit and community engagement among students, staff, and parents.
- Streamlined administrative procedures, adopting new technologies and systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Developed and maintained relationships with stakeholders, including parents, local authorities, and community organisations.
- Facilitated communication between school leadership and the wider school community, fostering strong relationships and collaboration.
- Facilitated communication between school leadership and the wider school community, fostering strong relationships and collaboration.
- Led the development and implementation of strategic plans, aligning operational goals with the school's vision and objectives.
HR and Compliance Officer
Cokethorpe School
05.2021 - 02.2022
- Maintained current understanding of regulatory guidelines to support organizational compliance activities.
- Maintained up-to-date employment contracts, application forms, and template letters to ensure compliance with HR standards.
- Process and monitor UKVI applications for new staff and overseas pupils.
- Advise staff on HR matters by liaising with line managers or SMT.
- Managed probation reviews for new starters, ensuring adherence to required timelines and processes.
- Administer annual appraisals with the bursar for agreed timelines.
- Organised and scheduled training sessions for teaching staff to enhance their skills. and appraisals with heads and SMT.
- Support teaching staff induction in line with SMT programme needs.
- Deliver support staff inductions with relevant department managers.
- Develop job descriptions and recruitment packs, refreshing templates and HR marketing.
- Manage recruitment and selection, coordinating interview schedules, correspondence, offers, and contracts.
- Provided and monitored recruitment statistics to inform senior management team decisions and shape recruitment strategies.
- Write recruitment advertising copy with the communications department for vacancies.
- Advertise vacancies and negotiate with sites or agencies for value for money.
- Support the bursar with training needs analysis and course sourcing.
- Update staff database records regularly to keep information current.
- Monitor market rates and external recruitment information to guide decisions.
- Processed unsolicited letters of application by following established HR protocols. of application promptly through agreed HR processes.
- Record new appointments and complete DBS checks by appointment date requirements.
HR Administrator
Mabel Prichard School
09.2016 - 05.2021
- Processed payroll for salaries and deductions, ensuring timely and accurate payments each cycle.
- Maintained HR database data integrity and confidentiality for all employee records.
- Managed employee documents including contracts, recruitment paperwork, and starter packs to streamline onboarding process.
- Supervised staff recruitment by running interviews, selecting candidates, and onboarding.
- Resolved employee HR issues and liaised with heads of department for outcomes.
- Maintained comprehensive employee records for contracts, performance reviews, and personal details to support HR compliance and reporting.
- Oversaw maintenance of school's Single Central Record (SCR) to ensure compliance with safeguarding regulations.
- Directed operational and administrative procedures to keep compliance with rules.
- Updated employee databases after requests for sick pay, maternity, and holiday items.
- General administration duties to aid the running of the school.
- Oversaw the junior members of the administration team.
Clerk to Governing Body
Oxfordshire County Council
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed governance documentation, including minute-taking and report generation for board meetings, to support executive decision-making processes.
- Evaluated governance procedures and practices, recommending improvements to enhance organisational effectiveness and compliance.
- Acted as a point of contact for governance-related queries from within the organisation, offering guidance and resolving issues promptly.
Finance Officer
Brightwell Primary School
01.2014 - 10.2016
- Created detailed financial reports and forecasts using Excel and software systems to support decision-making.
- Prepared 3 yearly budget forecasts for Governors and Oxfordshire County Council.
- Managed financial transactions and maintained accurate records while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
- Reviewed and reconciled bank statements, resolving discrepancies to ensure financial accuracy.
- Reconciled monthly bank statements and cleared discrepancies to keep records correct.
- Produced monthly and year-end closing statements, financial documents and invoices.
- Supported office operations by performing essential administrative duties to ensure efficiency.
Volunteer
Brightwell Preschool and Brightwell School
04.2005 - 08.2014
- Coordinated administrative tasks as Secretary for Brightwell Preschool committee.
- Assumed finance officer responsibility for Friends of Brightwell School financial administration.
PA to Supply Chain Manager
Sonopress Ireland (Arvato)
10.2000 - 08.2004
- Coordinated and scheduled meetings, conferences, and client appointments for managers, optimising calendar management.
- Managed diary and organised meetings for senior executives, improving time management and efficiency.
- Coordinated travel arrangements, including flights and accommodations, for staff members, ensuring smooth business operations.
- Recorded notes and minutes during meetings for Manager's reference, facilitating effective follow-up on discussions.
- Completed assigned tasks for Manager with professionalism, ensuring smooth operation of administrative functions.
- Executed specific instructions to complete assigned tasks efficiently. to complete administrative tasks within deadlines.
Team Leader Flood Defence
Environment Agency
01.2000 - 09.2000
- Led the customer service team, enforcing company policies, answering co-workers' questions and training new staff.
- Planned employee workloads and delegated tasks strategically to meet seasonal fluctuations in demand.
- Led staff meetings to delegate tasks, assign workloads and communicate changing priorities.
- Closely monitored team performance by conducting observations and tracking key metrics, identifying and managing underachievers appropriately.
- Developed open and professional relationships with team members to facilitate effective issue resolution.
- Resolved complex customer enquiries, disputes and complaints.
- Delivered quality service with friendly and professional demeanour.
Office Administrator
Nuffield Orthopedic Centre
Oxford, Oxfordshire
07.1995 - 01.2000
- Handled general office administration tasks to support department operations.
- Coordinated daily orthotics clinics, ensuring efficient patient flow within orthotics department workload.
- Liaised with patients and clinicians to effectively address clinic needs and enhance service delivery.
- Prepared orthotics for daily clinic appointments, contributing to smooth patient care operations.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Business Administration
Oxford College of Further Education
Oxford01-1995
A-Levels - English Literature
Oxford College of Further Education
Oxford01-1994
A-Levels - Physchology
Oxford Collect of Further Education
Oxford01-1994
A-Levels - Business Studies
Oxford College of Further Education
Oxford01-1994
GCSEs - Various
Cheney School
Oxford01-1992
Skills
- Budget management
- Financial reporting
- Contract negotiation
- Regulatory compliance
- Procurement strategy
- Facilities management
- Crisis management
- Risk assessment
- Human resources management
- Staff supervision
- Time management
Interests
Accomplishments
- Successfully opened a new school and implemented the school's policies and procedures.
- Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation that resulted in more effective time management.
- Planned and coordinated maintenance and building projects.
- Completed outstanding Health and Safety obligations for OFSTED inspections.
Timeline
School Business Manager
Calcot Services for Children
02.2022 - Current
HR and Compliance Officer
Cokethorpe School
05.2021 - 02.2022
Clerk to Governing Body
Oxfordshire County Council
01.2017 - 01.2019
HR Administrator
Mabel Prichard School
09.2016 - 05.2021
Finance Officer
Brightwell Primary School
01.2014 - 10.2016
Volunteer
Brightwell Preschool and Brightwell School
04.2005 - 08.2014
PA to Supply Chain Manager
Sonopress Ireland (Arvato)
10.2000 - 08.2004
Team Leader Flood Defence
Environment Agency
01.2000 - 09.2000
Office Administrator
Nuffield Orthopedic Centre
07.1995 - 01.2000
NVQ Level 3 - Business Administration
Oxford College of Further Education
A-Levels - English Literature
Oxford College of Further Education
A-Levels - Physchology
Oxford Collect of Further Education
A-Levels - Business Studies
Oxford College of Further Education
GCSEs - Various
Cheney School