Business manager

Prospero Teaching; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution based in the United Kingdom is seeking an Academy Business Manager to oversee financial and administrative operations. The successful candidate will require an accounting qualification and experience in a school environment, specifically managing payroll and HR processes. The role involves providing detailed financial planning and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This position is office-based during term time plus 2 weeks.

Qualifications

• Essential: Accounting qualification OR business/finance management qualification.
• GCSE Maths & English (C or above/equivalent).
• Desirable: NVQ 4/equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership of school financial and administrative operations.
• Manage bi-monthly payroll.
• Coordinate recruitment and manage HR records.

Skills

Excellent numeracy/literacy

Effective ICT and equipment use

Strong ICT skills: Word, Excel, Outlook

Education

Accounting qualification or business/finance management qualification

GCSE Maths & English (C or above)

Tools

Finance systems (e.g., Access Finance)

Job description

Academy Business Manager

Start Date: 5 January 2026

Daily Rate (DOE & payroll provider): 175–214.21

Qualifications / Training

• Essential: Accounting qualification OR business/finance management qualification OR NVQ 3/equivalent (e.g., ILM First Line Management) OR relevant experience
• GCSE Maths & English (C or above/equivalent)
• Desirable: NVQ 4/equivalent (e.g., ILM Skills for Middle Leaders)

Knowledge

• Essential: Excellent numeracy/literacy
• Effective ICT and equipment use
• Knowledge/codes/legislation
• Strong ICT skills: Word, Excel, Outlook; data manipulation
• Ability to manage payroll systems (e.g., Payroll Provider)
• Desirable: Experience using finance systems (e.g., Access Finance)

Experience

• Essential: Finance work in a school/academy
• Finance/HR support in education
• Understanding SCR requirements
• Knowledge of DBS/safeguarding employment checks
• Health & Safety experience in a school/academy

Physical Skills

• Excellent keyboard skills/high-volume data input

Competencies & Other Skills

• Relate well to children/adults
• Effective team working; awareness of school roles/responsibilities
• Ability to self‑evaluate and seek development

Key Outcomes / Activities

Provide leadership of school financial and administrative operations, supporting organisation, procurement, compliance, H&S, HR, audits and strategic planning. Requires relevant qualification (or working towards), academy finance experience, budget monitoring, and strong IT/supervisory skills. Must build effective relationships and meet strict deadlines.

Finance & Administration Management

• Oversee invoices, income and financial procedures
• Provide financial planning to Headteacher/SLT/governors
• Manage bi‑monthly payroll
• Ensure financial systems, school fund and regulatory compliance
• Lead budget setting/monitoring and provide detailed analysis
• Manage cash collection, banking and investment recommendations
• Interpret financial regulations and advise staff
• Manage internal/external audits and produce reports
• Lead administrative functions/systems
• Support facilities, H&S, procurement and compliance
• Liaise with accountants, payroll and auditors

Human Resources

• Coordinate recruitment, adverts and documentation
• Maintain the SCR
• Complete DBS checks and ensure safeguarding compliance
• Manage HR records, data and confidentiality

Administration

• Manage manual/computerised records
• Analyse/evaluate data and produce reports
• Undertake complex IT/word-processing tasks
• Provide administrative/organisational support
• Administer procedures and support service systems
• Complete/submit external forms (e.g., ESFA)

Resources

• Operate equipment/ICT packages
• Manage stock, cataloguing and audits
• Provide advice/guidance to staff/pupils/others
• Research to support decisions
• Assist with money handling for school activities
• Manage facilities administration and support budget monitoring

Additional Responsibilities

• Comply with safeguarding, H&S, security, confidentiality and data protection
• Promote equality and school ethos
• Work with external agencies
• Attend meetings/training/performance development
• Support others using own expertise
• Other duties as directed by the Headteacher

Responsibility for Resources

• Employees: supervise staff
• Financial: access confidential data
• Physical: effective use of resources
• Clients: provide information; manage complex reception issues

Working Conditions

Office-based; term-time + 2 weeks

Employment Checks Required

• Right to work in the UK
• Evidence of essential qualifications
• Two references
• Medical fitness
• Applicable professional registrations
• DBS safeguarding check