School Business Lead

Hucknall Flying High Academy; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing programme

Leadership development

Career progression

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Hucknall Flying High Academy in Nottinghamshire is seeking a proactive School Business Lead to oversee finance, HR, safeguarding, health and safety and office administration, ensuring smooth day-to-day operation.

You will lead the administrative team, partner with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, drive improvements, manage budgets, procurement and compliance, and deliver a welcoming, well-organised service for pupils, staff and families.

Qualifications

• Experience leading school operations including finance, HR, administration, compliance and facilities management.
• Strategic vision with commercial awareness to drive value for money across the school.
• Ability to manage budgets, financial planning and reporting using data to support decisions.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and develop an office team with high standards and exceptional service.
• Drive continuous improvement of information systems, processes and procedures.
• Support financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting with the SLT.
• Lead procurement and contract management to secure best value.
• Oversee HR processes, policies and workforce matters in a school setting.
• Resolve complex operational challenges to ensure smooth daily running.
• Build relationships with parents, colleagues, governors and external partners.

Skills

Finance management

HR leadership

Procurement

Compliance

Safeguarding

Budget monitoring

Team leadership

Job description

About this Role

As School Business Lead, no two days are the same. You will play a pivotal role in the successful day-to-day operation of the school; leading on a diverse range of areas including finance, HR, safeguarding compliance, health and safety and office administration.

Working closely with the Headteachers and Site Manager, you will be at the heart of school leadership, ensuring that all operational functions run smoothly and efficiently. From managing the budget and supporting recruitment to overseeing safeguarding processes, driving improvements, and coordinating key projects, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact across every aspect of school life.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, thrives on problem-solving, and is passionate about creating the systems, processes and support that enable children, staff and school communities to flourish.

About Us:

Hucknall Flying High Academy is a vibrant and inclusive primary school where children are at the centre of everything we do. We are proud of our warm, welcoming ethos and strong sense of community, where every child is supported to achieve their very best.

Our dedicated staff team works collaboratively to create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and learning is brought to life through a rich, broad, and balanced curriculum. We place high importance on wellbeing, both for our children and our staff, and are committed to nurturing a positive, purposeful culture in which everyone can thrive.

About Flying High:

Flying High Partnership is a thriving multi-academy trust of 38 primary schools across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire. We are driven by a shared vision to be unique, exceptional, and sustainable. Founded in 2012, we believe in the power of meaningful collaboration to help schools reach their full potential while supporting others along the way.

Our Partnership celebrates individuality, champions continuous improvement, and ensures every child thrives. With a strong focus on school-led professional development and leadership, we’re committed to growing exceptional teachers and inspirational leaders.

Together, we make every day count.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to play a pivotal role in the life of our school. As our School Business Lead, you will be at the heart of the school's operations, ensuring that our business, financial, administrative, and support functions run effectively and efficiently.

Working in partnership with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape and support the strategic direction of the school through excellent financial management, robust administrative systems, effective personnel processes, and high-quality operational leadership.

You will lead and develop a dedicated administrative team, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Together, you will deliver a welcoming, responsive, and highly organised service for pupils, staff, parents, governors, and external partners, ensuring that every interaction reflects the values and ambitions of our school.

This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference every day, providing the strong operational foundation that enables our staff and pupils to flourish and achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspire, lead and develop a talented office team, fostering a positive, collaborative culture where high standards, professional growth and exceptional service are at the heart of everything we do.
• Champion excellence across all business functions, driving continuous improvement and ensuring information systems, processes and procedures are accurate, efficient, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to support financial planning and decision-making, including budget setting, monitoring and reporting, helping to maximise resources and deliver value for money.
• Lead procurement and contract management activities, identifying opportunities to secure high-quality services, achieve best value and support the school's long-term objectives.
• Take a leading role in HR and personnel management, providing oversight of employment processes, policies, compliance and workforce matters to support a thriving and effective staff team.
• Proactively resolve complex operational challenges, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the school and enabling staff to focus on delivering excellent outcomes for pupils.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents, colleagues, governors, Trust colleagues and external partners, acting as a trusted professional and ambassador for the school.

You will also contribute to the wider life of the school, undertake relevant CPD and maintain a positive, solutions-focused approach in all aspects of your work.

We Are Looking For

• Be an accomplished business professional with experience of leading school operations, including finance, HR, administration, compliance and facilities management.
• Have the strategic vision and commercial awareness to drive continuous improvement, maximise resources and ensure value for money across all areas of the school.
• Be confident in managing budgets, financial planning and reporting, using data and insight to support informed decision-making and long-term sustainability.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, develop and support teams to deliver outstanding service and achieve ambitious goals.
• Have excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Be proactive, resilient and solution-focused, with the confidence to make sound decisions and resolve complex operational challenges effectively.
• Build positive and productive relationships with staff, parents, governors, Trust colleagues and external partners, acting as a trusted advisor and professional role model.
• Have a thorough understanding of employment processes, safeguarding responsibilities, statutory compliance and risk management within an educational setting.
• Be committed to delivering high-quality business support that enables teachers and leaders to focus on what matters most: achieving the very best outcomes for pupils.
• Share our values and have a genuine passion for supporting a thriving school community where staff and children can flourish.

We Can Offer You:

• A strong commitment to our people, guided by principles of wellbeing, adaptability, inclusivity, and collaboration.
• Access to high-quality professional learning at every stage of your career, including leadership development opportunities.
• Clear pathways for career progression across our partnership.
• An employee assistance programme offering specialist support, including counselling, financial guidance, and legal advice.
• A positive, supportive working environment where teamwork benefits every child.
• The chance to make a genuine difference to children's lives every single day.

Application Details

We would be delighted to welcome prospective applicants to visit the school before the closing date. A visit offers the chance to see our school in action, meet members of the team, and discover what makes our school such a rewarding place to work. To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact the school office.

Early application is advised, as we may interview and appoint before the closing date.

Flying High Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.