Business Manager
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 per annum pro rata; depending on experience
Location: Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BU. A combination of office and home-based working can be accommodated.
Hours: 18 hours per week; Suggested days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 8.30am to 14.30pm. Flexible working hours during school holiday periods.
Holiday Entitlement: 6 weeks holiday to be taken during school holiday periods
Start Date: November 2025 or as an immediate start
Job Type: Part-time, permanent contract
Closing Date: 30th October 2025
Outdoor Academy has established itself as one of the leading outdoor providers for special education. Since 2007, our land and water programmes have engaged and supported vulnerable young people across a wide range of needs.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Manager to oversee office management and new business development. The successful candidate will be confident working independently, provide a high standard of customer service, have proven experience in finance and administration, and can demonstrate strong organisational skills to ensure the smooth running of the office.
This is an exciting time for the company, with new projects and growth ahead. The right person will enjoy working within our dynamic team.
Main Responsibilities
- Handle bookkeeping tasks using Xero (bank reconciliations, VAT returns, invoicing, payments, payroll, sales analysis, debtor control, cashflow management)
- Act as Assistant to the Managing Director
- Manage office operations, implementing and maintaining procedures; serve as first point of contact for all enquiries
- Liaise with Outdoor Academy clients and administer new programmes
- Oversee back-office processes for events including quotes, confirmations, invoicing and evaluations
- Work with external accountants to manage payroll, pensions and year-end accounts
- Update and maintain the Outdoor Academy portal/database
- Write student termly reports, collate data for clients and coordinate achievement certificates
- Update safety operations procedures and risk assessments
- Manage administration of six-monthly equipment checks and “Near Miss” database
- Support HR processes including staff procedures, DBS and qualification updates, and recruitment as required
- Implement marketing campaigns, including website and social media updates
- Maintain supplier relationships, ensuring best value for money
- Welcome guests and clients, ensuring safeguarding protocols are followed
- Research and analyse sales to identify new business opportunities
Qualifications & Experience
- Enhanced DBS clearance (Outdoor Academy will support the application process)
- Fluent in English
- Good general education to GCSE level / A’level
- Strong IT literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook (knowledge of PowerPoint and databases desirable)
- Experience with accountancy software desirable (Xero preferred)
- Minimum 3 years’ office experience (administration, reception, secretarial or finance) desirable
Personal Qualities
- Reliable and efficient
- Calm under pressure
- Flexible, adaptable team player
- Friendly and approachable with excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong telephone and communication skills
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
Pre-employment Requirements
- Two references, including most recent employer
- Proof of identity and qualifications
- UK National Insurance number, UK address, and UK bank account
- Right to work in the UK
Outdoor Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be subject to enhanced DBS and background checks.
To apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to info@outdooracademy.co.uk or call 0118 712 769 for more information.
Specialist Outdoor Instructor
Salary: up to £29,500 per annum
45 days holiday to be taken outside of school term time
Contributory work-based pension
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: 08.00-16.30, Monday-Friday
Location: The Grange, Snelsmore, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 3BU
Outdoor Academy is looking for a passionate Outdoor Instructor to join our friendly team where a fantastic work-life balance career is offered.
We are looking for a multi-skilled lead instructor with both land and water-based qualifications with a strong passion for youth development. Our adventurous activity programmes provide essential outdoor learning opportunities that are delivered offsite for small groups and intensive one to one sessions… Every day is a mini adventure…
In addition, we deliver to a wide variety of clients through multi-activity programmes, residentials, DofE expeditions, event entertainment and corporate activity days. The position will require confidence in leading sessions.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- To supervise and instruct outdoor activities for groups and individuals.
- Coordinate session logistics including student transport using company vehicles.
- Plan, deliver and review suitable outdoor activity sessions.
- Support young people to achieve personal goals, accreditations and record data using our internal reporting system.
- Ensure all activities conform within current operating procedures and risk assessments whilst keeping the delivery fun, relaxed and engaging.
- Effective incident management including student emotional and behaviour support.
- Work alongside the team to ensure all health and safety practices are conducted regarding building, equipment and vehicles.
- Keep current and up to date with relevant NGB qualifications and in-house training
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum two years’ experience working with young people
- British Canoeing Paddlesport Leader (or equivalent)
- Mountain Bike Instructor
- Climbing Wall Instructor
- Archery GB Instructor
- Lowland Expedition Leader
- Experience in wilderness activities
- Full UK Driving Licence – minimum two years driving experience
- 16 Hour Outdoor First Aid
If you do not have all of the above, but you are focussed and driven to obtain the additional qualifications, please still get in touch
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of two references including last employment
- Proof of identity and qualifications
- Permanent UK National Insurance Number, UK residential address and UK bank account
- Candidates must be able to prove that they have the right to work in the UK
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be subject to necessary background checks and enhanced DBS check.
Please email your CV and covering letter to info@outdooracademy.co.uk or
call 0118 9712 769 for more information.
Freelancers
We are always on the hunt for freelancers who have experience in the outdoors, relevant qualifications and above all, a great personality!
We rely on freelancers to assist our full-time staff team to deliver activity programmes during our busy times of the year.
If you would like to apply to be a part of our freelance team, please send us a copy of your CV detailing your qualifications and a covering letter to info@outdooracademy.co.uk or Outdoor Academy, The Grange, Snelsmore, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 3BU.
Outdoor Academy is committed to the safeguarding of children, therefore all staff and freelancers will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
As part of the recruitment process, Outdoor Academy will be required to use the information you supply to us. For further information regarding this please review our Privacy Policy which explains how we process and use your data.