Business manager

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

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Wakefield seeks an Academy Business Manager to lead financial and administrative operations. Responsibilities include financial planning, overseeing payroll, and coordinating recruitment efforts. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in an educational setting, with strong ICT and management skills. This role offers a daily rate ranging from £175 to £214.21, based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience with finance work in a school/academy is essential.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and SCR requirements is needed.
• Ability to manage payroll systems effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for school financial and administrative operations.
• Oversee financial procedures and manage bi-monthly payroll.
• Coordinate recruitment and maintain SCR.

Skills

Excellent numeracy/literacy

Strong ICT skills: Word, Excel, Outlook

Excellent keyboard skills/high-volume data input

Relate well to children/adults

Effective team working

Education

Accounting qualification or business/finance management qualification

GCSE Maths & English (C or above/equivalent)

Tools

Access Finance

Job description

Overview

Position: 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 of relevant policies/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
• Attend governing body/committee meetings
• 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