Business Manager - Secondary School In Romford

Marchant Recruitment; Romford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Annual leave allowance

Professional development opportunities

Good transport connections and parking

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is seeking a proactive School Business Manager for a Romford-based school in East London. You will lead non-teaching operations, including finance, HR, estate management, health and safety, and compliance, enabling senior teaching staff to focus on delivering high-quality education.

You will join the SLT, shape strategic planning, oversee procurement and safe recruitment, and drive continuous improvement across administrative services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a School Business Manager or similar within an educational setting.
• Knowledge of school financial software and safer recruitment guidelines.
• Strong leadership with experience in developing support teams.

Responsibilities

• Financial leadership: budget, multi-year forecasts, payroll, audits.
• HR & operations management: safer recruitment, staff contracts, records.
• Premises & estate management: health & safety, maintenance, security.
• Contract & procurement: manage third-party service contracts.
• Strategic planning with Headteacher and Governing Body.

Skills

Experience in school business mgmt

Financial acumen

HR & operations leadership

Strategic planning

Education

CSBM/DSBM or equivalent

Accounting qualification (ACCA/CIMA)

Business administration degree

Tools

SIMS

FMS

PS Financials/IRIS

Access

Job description

School Business Manager

Location: Romford, London Borough of Havering (East London)

Position: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: ASAP / Next Term

About the Role

A forward-thinking and welcoming school in Romford is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on School Business Manager (SBM) to lead the non-teaching operations of the school.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will hold overall responsibility for financial management, human resources, estate management, health and safety, compliance, and administrative operations. This is a pivotal role that ensures the efficient and compliant running of the school, directly enabling teaching staff to deliver high-quality education.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership: Manage the school’s budget, prepare multi-year financial forecasts, oversee payroll, monitor expenditure, conduct audits, and ensure strict compliance with financial regulations.

• HR & Operations Management: Oversee safer recruitment procedures, staff contracts, personnel records, and manage the administrative support team.

• Premises & Estate Management: Lead on health and safety compliance, manage facility maintenance contracts, oversee security, and coordinate capital site improvement projects.

• Contract & Procurement: Negotiate and manage third-party service contracts (catering, cleaning, IT, utilities) to ensure maximum value for money.

• Strategic Planning: Work alongside the Headteacher and Governing Body to contribute to strategic decision-making, policy development, and income generation initiatives.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience as a School Business Manager, Finance Manager, or Operations Lead within an educational setting.

• Relevant qualification in School Business Management (e.g., CSBM/DSBM), accountancy (ACCA/CIMA/CSBM), or business administration.

• In-depth knowledge of school financial software (e.g., SIMS, FMS, PS Financials/IRIS, Access) and safer recruitment guidelines.

• Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of managing and developing support teams.

• Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).

What the School Offers

• A supportive and collaborative Senior Leadership Team.

• Generous local government pension scheme and annual leave allowance.

• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Excellent transport connections and parking facilities in Romford.