School Business Manager

Tradewind Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational recruitment agency is seeking a School Business Manager for a specialist school in Hertfordshire. The role involves strategic leadership of the school's finances, HR, and compliance ensuring smooth operations. Ideal candidates will possess strong financial management skills and experience in a school setting. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and the chance to have a significant impact on the educational environment. Apply today for this exciting opportunity.

Benefits

Free professional development

Competitive pay

Weekly payroll

Dedicated consultant support

Qualifications

• Experience as a School Business Manager or senior finance role in a school setting.
• Ability to lead school finance, HR, compliance, and administration.
• Passion for supporting education and making a tangible difference.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of school's finances and budgets.
• Oversee recruitment, payroll, and staff compliance.
• Manage health & safety and premises maintenance.
• Support Headteacher in financial planning and forecasting.
• Line-manage the admin and site teams.
• Prepare reports for governing body and senior leadership team.

Skills

Financial management skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

HR knowledge

Health & safety knowledge

Education

Relevant professional qualification (e.g. CSBM / DSBM / Accountancy / Business Management)

Tools

Finance and MIS systems (e.g. FMS, SIMS, Arbor)

Job description

Location: Ware, Hertfordshire
Salary: 51,000 - 57,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: January 2026 (or sooner)

About the role:

Tradewind Recruitment is excited to be supporting one of our partner schools to source a School Business Manager for a specialist SEN school in Hertford. We are looking to appoint an experienced and dynamic School Business Manager to join the team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key strategic and operational role in a friendly, forward-thinking school that continues to go from strength to strength. We are ideally looking for applications from those with experience as a School Business Manager or post within Finance and School experience. We are looking for someone able to lead school finance, HR, premises, compliance, health & safety, and administration, ensuring that the school runs efficiently and effectively so teaching and learning can flourish.

About the school:

This is an inclusive and specialist school, well respected and supported by the local council. Pupils here are given structure and support in order to achieve to the best of their abilities.

• Large, specialist school "Good with Outstanding features" Ofsted rating
• Exceptionally well-run, hands on leadership team with clear strategic vision
• Warm, supportive staff culture that values teamwork and innovation
• Modern facilities including a refurbished building and extensive outdoor spaces
• Well-resourced classrooms and strong community links
• Easily accessible by public transport across North West London

The role:

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the school's finances, budgets and procurement
• Oversee HR processes including recruitment, payroll, contracts and staff compliance
• Manage health & safety, premises and site maintenance in line with statutory requirements
• Lead on GDPR, data protection and safeguarding compliance from an operational standpoint
• Support the Headteacher and Governors in financial planning, forecasting and value-for-money analysis
• Line-manage the admin and site teams, promoting a culture of high performance and professionalism
• Prepare and present reports to the governing body and senior leadership team
• Liaise with local authority, external partners and suppliers to ensure smooth day-to-day operations
• Contribute to the strategic growth and sustainability of the school

The ideal candidate:

• We are looking for either an experienced School Business Manager or an applicant with experience in a school setting and senior finance post.
• Strong financial management skills and understanding of school funding and budget control
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Confident using finance and MIS systems (e.g. FMS, SIMS, Arbor or similar)
• Ability to interpret data, manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure
• Knowledge of HR, premises management, and health & safety legislation
• A solutions-focused, flexible and proactive approach
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. CSBM / DSBM / Accountancy / Business Management) desirable
• Passion for supporting education and making a tangible difference behind the scenes

Why choose Tradewind:

• Recognised as one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For (The Sunday Times)
• Part of the Tradewind Recruitment Group, one of the UK's most trusted education networks
• 100% PAYE - no umbrella companies, no hidden deductions
• Competitive pay, weekly payroll and full transparency
• Access to free professional development and leadership CPD
• Dedicated consultant Sam Taylor providing ongoing career support
• Exclusive partnerships with leading schools across London

Interested?

If you're an organised, financially astute and forward-thinking Business Manager ready to make an impact in a thriving Brent primary school, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Sam at Tradewind Teaching Agency for a confidential discussion.