School Business Manager – Large Multi-Academy Trust School – January 2026 – Slough

Marchant Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded academy in Slough is seeking a School Business Manager to join their highly effective Operations team from January 2026. The role involves leading operational strategy, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance. Applicants should have experience in school management or transferable leadership roles with strong financial and operational skills. This position offers a supportive environment with excellent facilities and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience as a School Business Manager or in a senior operations/finance leadership role.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, procurement and compliance experience.
• Knowledge of HR, premises health & safety and GDPR requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple teams and collaborate effectively with SLT and Trust leads.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational strategy, oversee budgets, ensure high-quality compliance.
• Support long-term school improvement planning.

Skills

Change Management

Cyber Security

Access

Aircraft Operations

Freelancing

Arbitration

Education

Professional qualifications (AAT, CIPFA, CSBM, DSBM)

Job description

School Business Manager

Permanent Full time

January 2026 start

Highly effective Business & Operations Services team

A successful and well-regarded academy in Slough is looking for a School Business Manager to join them from January 2026. The school welcomes applications from experienced SBMs and professionals with transferable leadership experience from corporate public‑sector or education settings.

School Information

This large diverse secondary school (1118) is part of a highly respected Multi‑Academy Trust and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. It serves around 1500 students and is known for exceptional pastoral support, strong outcomes at GCSE and A‑Level, and a commitment to community development.

Located near major transport links including the M4 corridor and direct trains into London, it is easily commutable from Berkshire, West London, Reading, Windsor and Buckinghamshire.

The Operations team includes Finance, HR, Estates & Premises, IT, Data and Administration. The SBM will lead operational strategy, oversee budgets, ensure high‑quality compliance and support long‑term school improvement planning. The trust offers extensive support through shared services and excellent professional development.

The academy features upgraded science labs, modern IT suites, dedicated SEN spaces, a professional theatre and outstanding sporting facilities. Staff wellbeing initiatives and professional development frameworks are well established, making it a highly attractive place to work.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience as a School Business Manager or in a senior operations/finance leadership role
• Strong financial management, budgeting, procurement and compliance experience
• Knowledge of HR, premises health & safety and GDPR requirements
• Professional qualifications (AAT, CIPFA, CSBM, DSBM) advantageous
• Ability to manage multiple teams and collaborate effectively with SLT and Trust leads

Salary

Salary for this School Business Manager role will be paid to scale depending on experience.

Application

Please submit your application for this School Business Manager position as soon as possible.

Key Skills

• Change Management
• Cyber Security
• Access
• Aircraft Operations
• Freelancing
• Arbitration

Employment Type

Full Time

Experience

years

Vacancy

1