School Business Manager

St John Henry Newman Catholic School; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

St John Henry Newman Catholic School is seeking a proactive School Business Manager to join the Senior Leadership Team and oversee finance, HR, administration, site and facilities management, and compliance across health and safety and ICT.

You will lead budget planning, workforce management and ensure that operational services align with the school’s educational aims, values and Catholic ethos.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in financial, business or administrative management.
• Strong strategic contribution as a senior leader.
• Excellent knowledge of financial procedures, budgetary control, audit and statutory requirements.
• Ability to lead, develop and motivate multidisciplinary support teams.
• Experience with premises management, procurement, contract management and organisational change.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with discretion and sound judgement.
• Commitment to the school’s Catholic ethos, mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Lead the effective and efficient provision of the school’s support services (finance, HR, administration, site and facilities, health and safety, ICT, community services).
• Oversee budget planning and monitoring; support workforce management and resource alignment with educational aims.
• Work with Headteacher and leadership teams to support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Ensure robust operational services to meet changing school needs and priorities.

Skills

Financial management

Strategic leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Education

School Business Leadership qualification or equivalent

Significant experience in business/financial management

Tools

IRIS Financials

School Management Information Systems

Job description

School Business Manager

Salary: Grade 10, £60,305 - £62,348 per annum

37 hours per week | All year round | Permanent

This is an exciting opportunity to join St John Henry Newman Catholic School at a significant point in its development. In September 2026, the school opened its brand-new building, providing a bright, welcoming and inspiring environment in which students can learn, grow and flourish. The school is part of Holy Cross Catholic Multi Academy Company, a family of seven Catholic schools united by a shared commitment to providing an outstanding Catholic education.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and highly motivated School Business Manager to join the school’s Senior Leadership Team. Reporting to the Headteacher, you will lead the effective and efficient provision of the school’s support services, with responsibility across finance, human resources, administration, site and facilities management, health and safety, ICT and community services.

Working closely with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, Local Governing Body and MAC Central Team, you will make a significant contribution to the strategic planning and continuous improvement of the school. You will oversee budget planning and monitoring, support effective workforce management and ensure that the school’s operational services and resources support its educational aims and changing needs.

We are looking for someone who:

• has substantial professional experience within a financial, business or administrative management environment;
• can make a strong strategic contribution as a member of the Senior Leadership Team;
• has excellent knowledge of financial procedures, budgetary control, audit and statutory requirements;
• can lead, develop and motivate multidisciplinary support teams;
• has experience of premises management, procurement, contract management and organisational change;
• demonstrates excellent communication, negotiation, organisational and problem-solving skills;
• can manage competing priorities with accuracy, discretion and sound judgement; and
• will actively support and promote the school’s Catholic ethos, mission and values.

A School Business Leadership qualification, an equivalent professional financial qualification, or significant business management experience is required. Knowledge of IRIS Financials and school management information systems would be advantageous, although training will be provided.

This is a varied and influential leadership role for someone with the professionalism, commercial awareness and commitment to help shape the next chapter of our school. If you share our belief that every student should feel known, valued and inspired, we would be delighted to receive your application.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ms Emma O’Connor, Headteacher, at [e-mail]

Closing date:

8.00am on Wednesday 21 October 2026

Interviews:

Friday 23 October 2026

St John Henry Newman Catholic School, part of Holy Cross Catholic Multi Academy Company, has a responsibility for and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and where relevant, a childcare disqualification check.

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including two suitable references, evidence of Right to Work, medical clearance and where applicable a prohibition check and evidence of qualifications. All successful candidates will be required to present their birth certificate along with evidence of any name changes.

This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016). Therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.

An online social media check will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all conditional offers of employment.