School Business Manager

ST MARYS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A secondary school in Croydon is seeking a School Business Manager to lead operational functions across finance, HR, and facilities. The role includes strategic leadership to support high-quality education. Ideal candidates should have strong leadership skills and relevant experience, with opportunities for career progression and development. The position offers a collaborative work environment and excellent transport links to London.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

On-site parking for staff

Generous pension scheme

Ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in business support within an educational setting.
• Strong understanding of finance, HR, and administration processes.
• Ability to lead and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in business support across the school.
• Manage finance, HR, facilities, and IT services.
• Support the Headteacher and SLT with administrative practices.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Human Resource Management

Strategic Planning

Education

Relevant Degree or Equivalent Experience

Job description

Overview

School Business Manager

• Salary: Dependent on Experience
• Contract Type: Permanent, All Year Round (52 Weeks), Full Time
• Start Date: Subject To Notice Period
• Reports to: Headteacher
• Location: St Mary’s Catholic High School, Woburn Road, Croydon, CR9 2EE, London Borough of Croydon

We are looking to appoint a School Business Manager at St Mary’s Catholic High School. This is an exciting time to join the school as the SBM, as we implement a vision of improvement across a range of operational areas.

St. Mary’s Catholic High School is a small and growing secondary school delivering high-quality Catholic education in the centre of Croydon. At a time of rapid change in our town centre, and with significant developments in the provision of Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Southwark this is an exciting time to join our OFSTED good school, which is consistently one of the highest achieving schools in Croydon. Our commitment is reflected in our outstanding Progress 8 score for 2024, which places us in the top 5 schools for Croydon. We take pride in our school's dedication to supporting disadvantaged pupils and fostering social mobility. Our staff are passionately committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

OFSTED Quotes: “St Mary’s Catholic High School is a deeply caring community. Its pupils and staff live up to their core values of being welcoming, serving others and working hard”; “Pupils like coming to school and enjoy learning. They feel safe here and know that staff go the extra mile to check their whereabouts and well-being.”

The ideal candidate for this rewarding and enjoyable position will lead all aspects of our work to support education; you will develop and manage the team of business professionals who facilitate the delivery of high-quality Catholic education for young people through effective support to teaching and other staff. You will develop our facilities to generate commercial income, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for staff and students. Key projects include introducing a new MIS, improving banking and finance systems, implementing a large-scale network and IT project, and enhancing premises, including a new sports MUGA. With our strong financial position, you have the opportunity to elevate St Mary’s, leveraging its central location and solid academic foundation.

Inspiring students to do their best, and we take pride in bringing this vision to life every day through our commitment and passion. You do not need to be a practicing Catholic to apply.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged; please contact Francisca to arrange. You can also view our Welcome Video for more information.

Benefits of working at St Mary’s Catholic High School:

• Ranked 5th place out of all schools in Croydon for progress.
• Excellent travel links with Central London and South London: 5 min walk from West Croydon and 7 min walk from East Croydon.
• Great location close to shopping and local amenities.
• Collaborative culture with positive relationships and strong strategic leadership.
• Support from managers and colleagues; equality of opportunities for staff.
• Induction and ongoing development for early career teachers.
• Career progression opportunities and links with St Mary’s University for professional development (MA in Catholic School Leadership).
• On-site car and bicycle parking facilities for all staff; generous local authority pension scheme.
• Commitment to promoting social mobility and ensuring opportunity for every student.

Your New Role:

• Provide professional leadership in all aspects of business support across the school, developing and leading the team of professionals who facilitate the delivery of high-quality Catholic education through effective support to teaching and educational support staff.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction to finance, HR, facilities and estates, IT, catering and administration services; promote high standards of business and efficient use of resources.
• Be a member of the senior leadership team.
• Offer professional support, advice, and guidance to the Headteacher, SLT and governors on financial processes and administrative practices in accordance with school policies, including finance, HR, health & safety, and site management.
• As a full-time SBM on a 52-week contract, you will be in school during term time; there is flexibility for hybrid working during school holidays and for taking leave.

How To Apply:

To apply, please request an application form from Francisca or contact her for more information. This is a direct permanent application to our school (not through agency). Our recruitment partner for permanent appointments is Hays.

• Closing Date: Immediate, no later than 12 noon Friday 17 October 2025. Early applications are encouraged and will be considered as they are received.
• Interview Date: Week Commencing Monday 20 October 2025.

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. St Mary’s Catholic High School reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated deadline.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to checks (where relevant): DBS, medical checks online and prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, and suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.