SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER

Lancashire County Council; Tarleton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Weeton Primary School in Weeton, near Preston, Lancashire, is hiring a School Business Manager. The role is 37.5 hours per week, term-time only plus 5 days during holidays. Salary quoted as full-time equivalent. Visits to the school are welcome.

Key responsibilities include managing financial operations, budgeting and forecasting, payroll liaison, contracts and procurement, HR administration, and ensuring statutory compliance and safeguarding. Pro-rata pay applies for part-time arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience managing school finances, budgeting and forecasting.
• Proven ability to prepare financial reports for senior leaders and governors.
• Experience with payroll and HR administration.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial operations including budgeting, forecasting and monitoring expenditure.
• Process purchase orders, invoices and payments.
• Prepare financial reports for senior leaders and governors.
• Oversee payroll liaison and staff absence records.
• Manage contracts, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and HR administration.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and safeguarding.
• Monitor health and safety compliance.
• Lead administrative systems to improve efficiency.
• Coordinate facilities management and maintenance projects.
• Assist with funding applications, bids and reporting.
• Provide line management and support to administrative staff.

Skills

Budget management

Financial reporting

Payroll liaison

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

School Business Management qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location Weeton Primary School, Grantham Road, Weeton, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 3HX (197 on roll)

Tel: [phone]

School website: www.weeton.lancs.sch.uk

Summary We are looking for a School Business Manager to join our growing school. If you have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and the ability to self-manage workload, this could be job for you.

We are looking for someone to work 37.5 hours a week, ideally 8.00 - 4.00pm each day, term-time only, plus 5 days during the holidays.

Visits to the school are welcome.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the school's financial operations including budgeting, forecasting and monitoring expenditure.
• Process purchase orders, invoices and payments in line with school financial procedures.
• Prepare financial reports and provide budgetary information to senior leaders and governors.
• Oversee payroll liaison and staff absence records.
• Manage contracts, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and HR administration processes.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, school policies and safeguarding procedures.
• Monitor health and safety compliance across the school site.
• Lead on administrative systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency.
• Coordinate facilities management and support maintenance projects where required.
• Assist with funding applications, bids and reporting requirements.
• Provide line management and support to administrative staff.

It is acknowledged that the successful candidate may have to work notice in a current job and therefore the start date of employment can be discussed during the interview stage.

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

This position is part time, term time only, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent. If successful, the salary received will be paid on a pro –rata basis.

The closing date is 9am on 28/09/2026

Desirable Qualifications

• School Business Management qualification or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience working as a School Business Manager, Finance Manager or similar role within an educational setting.
• Strong financial management and budget monitoring experience in a school setting
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a primary school setting.
• Knowledge of Lancashire education systems and procedures.
• Experience supporting HR and premises management functions.

  Proposed Interview Date: 05/10/2026

  Equal Opportunities statement An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community Rehabilitation Rehabilitation The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.