Business Manager

Catholic Education South Australia; Mount Barker; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) is seeking an experienced Business Manager to join the Executive Leadership Team at a Mount Barker college. The role combines strategic financial management with people leadership, governance and long-term planning, ensuring resources are allocated for sustainable operations.

You will collaborate with the Principal, College Board and leadership team across finance, HR, ICT, WHS and facilities to shape the College’s future and support enrolment and

Qualifications

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and commercial skills.
• Experience leading teams and managing multiple operational functions.
• Experience with governance, risk and WHS and strong communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the day-to-day financial operations of the College, including budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, management reporting, cash flow, financial controls and compliance.
• Provide leadership across support services, including workforce planning, recruitment, staff development, and performance management.
• Oversee administration, ICT, WHS, catering, grounds and maintenance services, ensuring operational needs are met.
• Lead assets and facilities planning, including capital works, contracts, tenders, insurance and long-term asset planning.
• Ensure governance and compliance practices across the College.
• Support enrolment strategies, marketing initiatives, resource planning and financial sustainability.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic mindset

Governance & compliance

WWCC

Education

CA or CPA qualifications

Job description

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) provides faith-inspired education across 103 Catholic schools, supporting more than 52,000 students and 9,000 staff. With a strong commitment to educational excellence and student wellbeing, CESA provides a supportive environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to a broader community and make a lasting difference.

is an Early Learning to Year 12 Catholic co-educational College located in the heart of Mount Barker. As the College continues to grow and develop, they are seeking an experienced and strategic Business Manager to join the Executive Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping the College's future.

This is a broad and influential senior leadership position that extends well beyond traditional finance. Combining strategic financial management, people leadership, business operations, governance, and long-term planning, the Business Manager will work closely with the Principal, Deputy Principal, College Board, and Executive Leadership Team to provide trusted advice and ensure effective management of the College's financial, people, operational, and physical resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the day-to-day financial operations of the College, including budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, management reporting, cash flow, financial controls and compliance.
• Provide leadership across support services, including workforce planning, recruitment, staff development, and performance management
• Oversee the effective delivery of administration, ICT, WHS, catering, grounds and maintenance services, ensuring operational needs are met
• Lead the management and planning of assets and facilities, including capital works, infrastructure projects, contracts, tenders, insurance and long-term asset planning.
• Ensure strong governance and compliance practices across the College
• Support the long-term growth and development through enrolment strategies, marketing initiatives, resource planning, financial sustainability and strategic business planning.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal, College Board, leadership team, staff, families, students and external providers, ensuring strong communication and positive stakeholder relationships.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have previous experience as a Business Manager, Finance Manager or senior corporate services leader who enjoys working across a diverse range of business functions. You will bring a commercial and strategic mindset, while remaining connected to the day-to-day operations that keep a successful school running effectively. Experience within a school or education environment is highly regarded, as are CA or CPA qualifications.

Skills and Experience

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and commercial skills
• Experience leading teams and managing multiple operational functions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Experience with compliance, governance, risk and WHS
• A strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and accountability
• The ability to influence, advise and work collaboratively at an executive level
• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Certification in Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care Settings, or willingness to obtain
• Current First Aid qualification, or willingness to obtain