School Business Manager Opportunity – Progressive Secondary Academy In Poole

Marchant Recruitment; Poole; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is seeking a strategic School Business Manager for a progressive secondary academy in Poole, Dorset. You will lead financial operations, HR, facilities, and health & safety compliance, reporting to the Headteacher and Governing Body.

The role is full-time and permanent (52 weeks, 37 hours/week) with leadership scale salary dependent on qualifications and academy size. Start ASAP or in January.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of financial and operational leadership within education or public sector.
• Comprehensive knowledge of school funding frameworks, ESFA regulations, and health & safety standards.
• Strong leadership, strategic negotiation, and commercial contract management abilities.
• Active enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply).

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management, budget forecasting, annual audit preparation, and procurement strategies
• Line-manage non-teaching teams across office administration, site maintenance, IT, and catering
• Oversee site facilities, capital building projects, health & safety compliance, and contractor management
• Direct HR processes, payroll administration, staff contracting, and occupational health referrals
• Maximize commercial revenue through facility lettings, grant applications, and community partnerships
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team and present operational reports to the Governing Body

Skills

Leadership

Strategic negotiation

Contract management

Commercial acumen

Education

Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM / CSBM) or equivalent qualification

Job description

A progressive secondary academy in Poole, Dorset, is seeking a strategic, commercially minded School Business Manager to oversee financial operations, human resources, facilities, and health & safety compliance starting ASAP or in January.

Job Overview

The School Business Manager serves as a senior operational leader reporting directly to the Headteacher and Governing Body. You will lead non-teaching functions, manage multi-million-pound operational budgets, oversee campus infrastructure, and ensure full compliance with Department for Education and ESFA financial guidelines.

Working closely with leadership teams, you will manage premises staff, IT services, administrative offices, catering teams, and commercial site lettings. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial management, budget forecasting, annual audit preparation, and procurement strategies

• Line-manage non-teaching teams across office administration, site maintenance, IT, and catering

• Oversee site facilities, capital building projects, health & safety compliance, and contractor management

• Direct HR processes, payroll administration, staff contracting, and occupational health referrals

• Maximize commercial revenue through facility lettings, grant applications, and community partnerships

• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team and present operational reports to the Governing Body

Role Overview & Specifications

• Start Date: ASAP or January

• Contract Type: Full-time, permanent contract (52-week post, 37 hours/week)

• Location: Poole, Dorset

• Salary / Pay Rate: Leadership Scale (Dependent on qualifications & academy size)

• Key Systems: Access Education / PSF / SIMS / Arbor

Candidate Requirements

• Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM / CSBM) or equivalent professional qualification in Finance, HR, or Business Administration

• Proven track record of financial and operational leadership within an educational or public sector setting

• Comprehensive knowledge of school funding frameworks, ESFA regulations, and health & safety standards

• Strong leadership, strategic negotiation, and commercial contract management abilities

• An active enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)