School Business Manager

St Helens Council; St Helens; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Planned handover

Professional development opportunities

Supportive leadership and community

Job summary

Thatto Heath Community Primary School is seeking an experienced School Business Manager to lead finance, HR/payroll, procurement and operational functions. You will work with the Headteacher, senior leaders and governors to ensure efficient use of resources and strong governance.

The role requires significant experience in school finance and administration, with the ability to manage a substantial budget and lead a busy team in a three-form-entry school.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of financial and/or business management, ideally within a school or education setting.
• Ability to manage a substantial school budget and present information to leaders and governors.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise deadlines.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contracts and value for money.
• Oversee HR administration including recruitment, contracts, payroll, absence.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance and budget management for the school.
• Oversee HR and payroll administration.
• Oversee procurement, contracts and supplier management.
• Manage premises, health and safety, and compliance.
• Provide professional advice to Headteacher and governors.
• Ensure resources are used effectively to support outcomes for children.
• Lead and develop administrative and operational staff.

Skills

Budget management

HR and payroll administration

Procurement and contracts

Financial controls

Data protection and safeguarding

IT skills and MIS

Leadership and staff management

Communication with governors and staff

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Finance software

HR/payroll systems

Job description

“An Amazing Journey Stars here”

Are you an experienced, highly organised and proactive professional who can help lead the business and operational functions of a large, ambitious primary school?

Due to our current School Business Manager moving towards semi-retirement, Thatto Heath Community Primary School is seeking to appoint an experienced, highly organised and proactive School Business Manager to join our senior team.

Our current Business Manager will continue to work in school for 2.5 days per week. This provides an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to benefit from a planned handover, continuity and ongoing support from an experienced colleague with extensive knowledge of the school, its systems, finances and community.

A supported transition

This appointment comes at an exciting time for our school. We want to retain the knowledge and experience already within our team while welcoming fresh ideas, expertise and leadership. The successful candidate will work alongside our current Business Manager during the transition and will have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of our financial, HR, administrative and operational systems.

The new School Business Manager will take a key role in leading and developing the school’s business functions, working closely with the Headteacher, senior leaders and governors.

The role

This is a key leadership role within our large, busy and highly inclusive three-form-entry primary school. The School Business Manager will lead across finance and budget management, HR and payroll administration, procurement, contracts, premises, health and safety, compliance and school administration. You will provide professional advice and accurate information to the Headteacher and governors and help ensure that the school’s resources are used effectively to secure the best possible outcomes for our children.

We are looking for someone who:

• has significant experience of financial and/or business management, ideally within a school or education setting;
• can manage and monitor a substantial school budget and present clear financial information to leaders and governors;
• has excellent organisational skills and can confidently manage competing priorities and deadlines;
• has a strong understanding of financial controls, procurement, contracts and achieving value for money;
• can oversee HR administration, including recruitment, contracts, payroll processes, absence and personnel records;
• understands compliance, data protection, health and safety and effective risk management;
• can support the effective management of school premises, contractors and services;
• has excellent IT skills and can confidently use financial, administrative and management information systems;
• can lead and support administrative and operational staff effectively;
• communicates professionally and sensitively with staff, governors, parents, external agencies and suppliers;
• demonstrates discretion, integrity and a clear understanding of confidentiality;
• can be solution-focused, resilient and able to remain calm in a busy school environment; and
• shares our commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and putting children at the heart of decision-making.

What we can offer

• a planned handover and ongoing support from our experienced current Business Manager;
• a welcoming, ambitious and highly inclusive school community;
• a supportive Headteacher, senior leadership team and governing body;
• a committed and experienced staff team;
• a varied and influential role within the leadership of the school;
• opportunities for professional development and growth; and
• the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the effective running and future development of our school.

Come and meet us

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school. This is an excellent opportunity to meet our children and staff, and find out whether Thatto Heath is the right school for you. We will be holding visits on Wednesday 21st October at 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.

At Thatto Heath, we believe that happy, motivated staff create the best learning experience. That’s why we prioritize wellbeing, celebrate achievements, and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Come join us — where your passion for education meets a community that truly cares.

Thatto Heath is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks and any other checks required in accordance with current statutory safeguarding guidance.

For more information regarding this role, please contact [e-mail]

School Visits Wednesday 21st October at 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Closing Date - Monday 2nd November 2026

Interviews - Friday 6th November 2026

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications and encourage you to apply early, to avoid disappointment.

Full Job Description & Person Specification Documents are included with this advert.

This is an Enhanced Disclosure post.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection.