School Business Manager

Sellick Partnership; Slough; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Sellick Partnership are working with a well-established Multi Academy Trust to recruit an experienced School Finance Business Manager for a secondary school in Slough. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for someone with hands-on school finance and business management experience, including proficiency with FMS finance software.

The role will lead day-to-day financial management, budgeting, forecasting and reporting, provide financial guidance to the Head Teacher and SLT, and ensure robust

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a school environment, ideally secondary.
• Experience in School Business Management with a focus on Finance.
• Hands-on experience using FMS software – essential.
• Strong understanding of school finance, budgeting and processes.
• Experience managing day-to-day financial operations of a school.
• Ability to work with Head Teachers, SLT and wider stakeholders.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and prioritisation.
• Relevant finance or SBM qualification would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for day-to-day financial management and operations.
• Manage the school's finance function with robust controls.
• Prepare, monitor and review budgets and forecasts.
• Produce financial reports and management information for decision-making.
• Provide financial advice to Head Teacher and senior team.
• Monitor income and expenditure, identify variances and act.
• Oversee purchasing, invoicing, payments and income management.
• Support month-end and year-end financial processes.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and audits.
• Liaise with central finance to ensure consistency across the Trust.

Skills

School finance management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Financial controls

Stakeholder liaison

Education

School business management qualification

Finance qualification

Tools

FMS finance software

Job description

Sellick Partnership are working with a well-established Multi Academy Trust who are looking to recruit an experienced School Finance Business Manager to join one of their secondary schools in Slough. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for someone with previous school finance and business management experience, alongside current hands-on experience using FMS finance software.

The responsibilities of the School Finance Business Manager will include:

• Taking responsibility for the day-to-day financial management and operations of the secondary school.
• Managing the school's finance function, ensuring effective processes and financial controls are maintained.
• Preparing, monitoring and reviewing school budgets and financial forecasts.
• Producing financial reports and management information to support decision-making.
• Working closely with the Head Teacher and senior leadership team, providing financial advice and guidance.
• Monitoring income and expenditure, identifying variances and recommending appropriate action.
• Overseeing purchase orders, invoicing, payments and income management.
• Supporting month-end and year-end financial processes.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Supporting internal and external audits, providing financial information as required.
• Liaising with the central finance team to ensure consistent financial management across the Trust.

The ideal candidate for the School Finance Business Manager role will have:

• Previous experience working within a school environment, ideally within a secondary school.
• Experience in School Business Management with a focus on Finance
• Current, hands-on experience using FMS finance software – this is essential.
• A strong understanding of school finance, budgeting and financial management processes.
• Experience managing the day-to-day financial operations of a school.
• The ability to work closely with Head Teachers, senior leadership teams and wider stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to provide financial advice and support to non-finance stakeholders.
• A relevant finance or school business management qualification would be advantageous.