Business Manager – Specialist Education

Hesley Group; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing educational organization in Doncaster seeks a Business Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight within its educational provision. The role involves delivering high-quality business support, managing financial resources, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates will have business management experience in education, strong leadership skills, and excellent financial acumen. This role is pivotal in supporting senior leaders and ensuring effective college operations.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

30 days annual leave + additional days for service

Ongoing training and development

Cycle to Work scheme

Electric car scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business management within an education environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent financial acumen and HR management knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of college resources.
• Deliver high quality business support services across departments.
• Manage financial operations including budgeting and procurement.

Skills

Business management experience

Leadership skills

Financial acumen

HR management knowledge

Problem-solving

IT skills (Excel)

Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation

Tools

Management information systems

Job description

About The Role

Location: Doncaster – Denaby Main

We are seeking an experienced Business Manager to join our growing Education provision, Mercury College, which offers learning opportunities for young adults aged 18-25 with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. This pivotal role will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring the effective management of college resources, systems, and support services. You will play a key part in supporting senior leaders with accurate information to enable efficient and compliant college operations.

At Hesley Group, we put people first. We’re committed to always being the best we can be, setting high standards and striving for excellence in everything we do. This is more than just a Business Manager role – it’s about building resilient, person‑centred teams that transform lives every day.

Your Role:

This is a hands‑on role as a member of the Senior Leadership Team providing strategic vision and leadership, responsible for overseeing systems and processes in all areas inclusive of budget and resource management.

Your role will also involve:

• Delivering effective, high quality business support services essential to the overall operation and performance of the college including but not limited to Finance, HR, Facilities, Data Protection and Health and Safety.
• Taking delegated responsibility for related management decisions where required under the direction of College Leaders and Director of Education.
• Providing management information to the Senior Leadership Team, Group Directors and Business Support teams as required to support the effective and efficient operational running of the college.
• Responsible for the effective financial management of the college (including budget management, forecasting, procurement).
• Work within defined regulations and procedures – maintain working knowledge of the latest changes to legislation and strategy with regard to finance, administration, HR, Health and Safety, premises and site facilities.
• Responsible for site safety systems and audits.
• Effectively manage the delivery of business support services to the college.
• Provide relevant reports and information to the Head of Education, Director of Education, Education Board and the Hesley Group to enable robust operational and strategic decision making.
• Contribute to the whole college improvement planning process and take key responsibility for aspects of the plan.
• HR management – ensure accurate colleague records are kept, oversee recruitment processes, be responsible for the Single Central Record to ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Financial management including budget/resource modelling and regular income and expenditure reviews, providing accurate and timely financial information, negotiating contracts.
• Administration including the maintenance of pupil records and working with the marketing team on updates to our prospectus and other key documents.
• Premises – overseeing the maintenance of college buildings and grounds.

About You

What We’re Looking For:

Some of the key attributes/skills we are looking for include:

• Proven experience in business management within an education environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent financial acumen and HR management knowledge.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and compliance.
• The ability to balance strategic vision with operational delivery.
• IT skills including Excel and familiarity with management information systems within an educational setting.
• Health and Safety, Data Protection and Employment legislation knowledge.
• OfSTED requirements knowledge.

We are committed to building a stable and sustainable workforce to ensure that we provide the best continuity of care for the people we support. While we welcome applications from all candidates, some roles may require candidates to have the right to work in the UK without restrictions due to the nature of the service and staffing requirements. These roles may be prioritized for those with unrestricted right to work in the UK and due to our operational needs at the time.

About Us

Why Join Us?

• Be at the heart of shaping our company’s future.
• Work with passionate, purpose‑driven teams.
• Enjoy autonomy, creativity, and impact in your role.

What We Offer

• Generous pension scheme.
• 30 days annual leave + 1 day per every full 2 years service completed up to 40 days.
• Ongoing training and development to help you grow.
• Cycle to Work scheme and retail discounts.
• Electric car scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Hesley Group are proud to be a Living Wage Employer, ensuring every one of our colleagues is paid at least the real living wage, reflecting the true cost of living. It’s our commitment to fairness, a recognition of skill and a heartfelt thank you to the incredible people who make what we do possible.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities because we know that different perspectives make us stronger.