School Business and Operations Manager

Teaching Vacancies; Greenford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanhope Primary School in Greenford, Ealing, is seeking an experienced School Business & Operations Manager to support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in delivering strategic priorities across finance, HR, premises and compliance.

You will lead on operational efficiency, safeguarding and data protection, cultivate strong relationships with staff, governors and external agencies, and help shape the school's future including new building projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in school business management with strong knowledge of financial management, budgeting, procurement, HR, premises and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced school environment.
• Proactive, efficient and tenacious with ability to see tasks through to completion.
• Attention to detail, accountability and high standards across all areas of responsibility.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including negotiating and securing best value for money.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with staff, governors and external partners.
• Effective leadership and people-management skills to motivate and hold teams accountable.
• Strategic thinking and commitment to continuous improvement, embracing technology to improve efficiency.
• Sound judgement, discretion and resilience in handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school's strategic priorities.
• Lead school operations, ensuring safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and statutory compliance.
• Develop and implement efficient processes to improve operational efficiency and resource use.

Skills

School business management

Financial management

Budgeting

Procurement

HR

Premises

Operational compliance

Leadership

People management

Strategic thinking

Data protection

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and highly organised School Business & Operations Manager who will play a key role in supporting the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school's strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• School business management experience, ideally within a school or educational setting, with strong knowledge of financial management, budgeting, procurement, HR, premises and operational compliance.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced school environment, manage competing priorities, delegate effectively and consistently meet deadlines.
• A proactive, efficient and tenacious approach, taking initiative, anticipating challenges, solving problems and seeing tasks through to completion.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, accountability and consistently high standards across all areas of responsibility.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including the ability to negotiate confidently, influence effectively, secure best value for money and maximise school resources.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building positive working relationships with staff, governors, families, contractors and external agencies.
• Effective leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to motivate, support and hold teams accountable for delivering high-quality services.
• Strategic thinking and a commitment to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, embrace technology and improve operational efficiency.
• Sound judgement, discretion and resilience, with the confidence to make decisions, manage sensitive information and respond effectively to unexpected challenges.
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and statutory compliance, with a commitment to maintaining a safe, well-managed school environment.
• A collaborative and dependable approach, providing high-quality strategic and practical support to the Headteacher and wider Senior Leadership Team.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion and children's outcomes, ensuring that pupils' safety, wellbeing and educational opportunities remain at the heart of every decision.

Above all, we are looking for someone who takes ownership, gets things done and shares our ambition to provide the very best for our children. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, solution-focused and excited by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Stanhope Primary School, including our anticipated Department for Education new building project.

What the school offers its staff

Stanhope Primary School is a vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking school at the heart of a wonderfully diverse community in Greenford, Ealing. We are proud of our exceptional children, dedicated staff and strong relationships with families.

Recognised nationally for our leadership, including winning Leadership Team of the Year at the National Schools Awards 2025, we are ambitious about providing the very best education and opportunities for every child.

We offer:

• A welcoming and supportive school community, where positive relationships, collaboration and mutual respect are at the heart of everything we do.
• A talented, committed and friendly staff team, who work together to make a genuine difference to children's lives.
• An ambitious and forward-thinking leadership team, committed to innovation, continuous improvement and excellence.
• An exciting opportunity to shape the school's future, including contributing to our anticipated Department for Education new school building project.
• A school at the forefront of educational innovation, including supporting the leadership and development of AI in education across Ealing.
• A meaningful senior leadership role, with opportunities to influence strategic decisions, improve operational systems and make a lasting impact.
• Professional development and opportunities for growth, within a school that values initiative, expertise and continuous learning.
• Flexible working opportunities, with a four-day working week considered for the right candidate.
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, recognising the importance of a positive, supportive working environment.

Above all, we offer the opportunity to work in a school where children are at the heart of every decision, where staff are valued and where your contribution will genuinely matter.

This is an exciting time to join Stanhope, and we look forward to welcoming someone who shares our values, ambition and commitment to excellence.

Empowering Every Heart, Inspiring Every Mind.

Commitment to safeguarding

Stanhope Primary School in whole-heartedly committed to robust and thorough safeguarding practice and to promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff, volunteers and potential candidates to share this commitment.