School Business and Operations Manager

Stanhope Primary School; London Borough of Ealing; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanhope Primary School in London is seeking an experienced School Business & Operations Manager to support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in delivering the school's strategic priorities.

The role requires proven school business management experience, strong budgeting and procurement skills, HR and premises oversight, and a proactive approach to drive efficiency and safeguarding across the school environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in school business management, with strong knowledge of budgeting, procurement, HR, premises and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills in a fast-paced school environment.
• Proactive, problem-solving approach with initiative and ownership.

Responsibilities

• Support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school's strategic priorities.
• Lead financial management, budgeting, procurement and resource planning.
• Oversee safeguarding, data protection, health and safety and statutory compliance.

Skills

School business management

Financial management

Budgeting

Procurement

HR

Premises and compliance

Organisational skills

Leadership & people management

Strategic thinking

Safeguarding & data protection

Job description

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.