School Business Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working up to 0.5 of the full

Personalised CPD programme

Free counselling services

Early finish on Wednesday afternoons

Job summary

St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School in England is seeking a School Business Manager to lead finance, HR, estates, health and safety, and administrative systems. The role includes line management of the Premises Manager and team, with flexible working up to 0.5 of the contract.

Starts 1 January 2027 and reports to Headteacher and Governors. The position offers financial oversight, payroll coordination with an external provider, and strategic input on capital projects, with DBS checks and

Qualifications

• Experience as a School Business Manager or Senior Finance Lead, ideally in a secondary school or MAT
• Experience of managing staff
• Experience of lettings management and risk assessments
• Experience maintaining accurate administration, reports and records

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly financial reports, action plans and accounts for the Headteacher and Governors
• Ensure financial reports meet audit standards and LA, DfE and governor return requirements
• Work with an external provider on monthly payroll to ensure accurate payments
• Oversee the purchase ledger so supplier invoices are paid on time
• Manage external lettings, liaising with hirers and ensuring sales invoices are issued and paid promptly
• Scrutinise premises, catering and ICT budgets for best value through contract and SLA management
• Provide strategic oversight of large capital projects and planned maintenance
• Identify and secure additional income, including grant bids and community lettings
• Line-manage the Premises Manager and team for maintenance, health and safety, security and site

Skills

Staff management

Financial accounting

Budgeting

Lettings management

Risk assessment

Administration

Time management

Team leadership

Problem solving

Health & safety knowledge

Job description

This one-year School Business Manager post sits within St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School, a secondary school. It carries financial leadership across finance, HR, estates, health and safety and administrative systems, reporting to the Headteacher and Governors. Full-time at 37 hours, with flexible working possible up to 0.5 of the contract, it includes line management of the Premises Manager and team. Visa sponsorship is not available, and the post starts on 1 January 2027.

What the job involves

• Prepare monthly financial reports, action plans and accounts for the Headteacher and Governors
• Ensure financial reports meet audit standards and LA, DfE and governor return requirements
• Work with an external provider on monthly payroll to ensure accurate payments
• Oversee the purchase ledger so supplier invoices are paid on time
• Manage external lettings, liaising with hirers and ensuring sales invoices are issued and paid promptly
• Scrutinise premises, catering and ICT budgets for best value through contract and SLA management
• Provide strategic oversight of large capital projects and planned maintenance
• Identify and secure additional income, including grant bids and community lettings
• Line-manage the Premises Manager and team for maintenance, health and safety, security and site

What’s required

Experience

• Experience as a School Business Manager or Senior Finance Lead, ideally in a secondary school or MAT
• Experience of managing staff
• Experience of lettings management and risk assessments
• Experience maintaining accurate administration, reports and records

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent mathematical and accounting skills
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and requirements
• Ability to work independently under time pressure, make decisions and solve problems
• Excellent time management and organisation
• Flexibility, resilience and adaptability, working well as part of a team

Checks & eligibility

• Full enhanced DBS check
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Nice to have

• Proficiency with school financial, budgeting and MIS software, ideally FMS, Access Education and SIMS
• Experience of generating income through letting facilities
• Relevant managerial and operational qualifications

What’s offered

• Personalised CPD programme
• Free counselling services
• Early finish on Wednesday afternoons, with CPD and meetings largely in school hours
• Flexible working up to 0.5 of the contract