School Business Manager - Private Sen School In Birmingham

Marchant Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is seeking an experienced School Business Manager for a private SEN school in Birmingham. The role focuses on balancing strategic planning with hands-on management of financial, operational, and administrative functions.

You will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leaders to ensure efficient operations, robust financial controls and compliance, while safeguarding pupil wellbeing and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience in a School Business Manager, Finance Manager or Operations Manager role.
• Experience managing budgets and financial processes.
• Strong financial awareness and attention to detail.
• Experience preparing financial reports, forecasts and management information.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Experience managing suppliers, contractors and external service providers.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Independent with a collaborative leadership approach.
• High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Understanding of safeguarding in education.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day business, financial and administrative operations.
• Support Headteacher and leadership with strategic planning and school improvement.
• Prepare and monitor budgets, financial forecasts and MI.
• Oversee income, expenditure, purchasing, invoicing, payroll and reporting.
• Maintain financial records and controls; monitor expenditure against budgets.
• Liaise with accountants, auditors, suppliers and advisers.
• Manage procurement processes and supplier relationships.
• Oversee contracts, service agreements and supplier relationships.
• Support management of premises, facilities and resources.
• Coordinate maintenance, health, safety and site services.
• Support staff recruitment and HR administration where needed.
• Ensure policies and procedures are maintained and compliance is met.
• Collaborate with Headteacher, governors, staff and external stakeholders.

Skills

Budget management

Financial reporting

IT skills

Microsoft Office/Excel

HR administration

Communication

Time management

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

• School Business Manager

• Full-Time, Permanent

• Private SEN School

• Birmingham, West Midlands

A well-established private SEN school in Birmingham is seeking an experienced, organised and proactive School Business Manager to join its leadership and administrative team.

This is an important role within the school, supporting the effective day-to-day running of the organisation and ensuring that financial, operational, administrative and compliance functions are managed to a high standard.

The successful candidate will be a confident and practical professional who can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on management. You will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, helping to ensure the school operates efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the needs, safety and wellbeing of its pupils.

The Role

As School Business Manager, you will take responsibility for a broad range of business and operational functions across the school.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the school's day‑to‑day business, financial and administrative operations.

• Supporting the Headteacher and leadership team with strategic planning and school improvement.

• Preparing and monitoring budgets, financial forecasts and management information.

• Overseeing income, expenditure, purchasing, invoicing, payroll and financial reporting.

• Maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring appropriate financial controls are in place.

• Monitoring expenditure against budgets and providing advice to budget holders.

• Liaising with accountants, auditors, suppliers and external professional advisers.

• Managing procurement processes and negotiating with suppliers where appropriate.

• Overseeing contracts, service agreements and supplier relationships.

• Supporting the effective management of the school's premises, facilities and resources.

• Coordinating maintenance, repairs, cleaning, security and other site‑related services.

• Supporting health and safety compliance and ensuring relevant checks and records are maintained.

• Managing administrative systems and ensuring school records are accurate and up to date.

• Supporting recruitment, HR administration and staff‑related processes where required.

• Ensuring appropriate policies, procedures and operational documentation are maintained.

• Supporting the school with regulatory, compliance and inspection requirements.

• Working collaboratively with the Headteacher, governors, staff and external stakeholders.

Working Within an SEN Environment

Working within a specialist SEN setting, the successful candidate will understand that effective business management plays an important role in creating a safe, supportive and well‑resourced environment for pupils.

You will help ensure that the school has the resources, systems and facilities needed to support children and young people with a range of additional needs.

The role requires a professional who can work sensitively with staff, families and external professionals while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and high standards of service.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will be an experienced business, finance or operations professional who is confident managing multiple areas of responsibility.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a School Business Manager, Business Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Manager or similar role.

• Experience managing budgets, financial processes and business administration.

• Strong financial awareness and excellent attention to detail.

• Experience preparing financial reports, forecasts and management information.

• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.

• Experience managing suppliers, contractors and external service providers.

• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet important deadlines.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• A practical, solutions‑focused approach to problem solving.

• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider leadership team.

• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.

• An understanding of safeguarding and the responsibilities associated with working in an education setting.

• Experience within an SEN, independent‑school or specialist education environment would be advantageous.

Why Join the School?

The school provides a specialist and supportive environment where every member of staff plays an important role in helping pupils succeed.

As School Business Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the school's development and long‑term success.

You will benefit from:

• A supportive and collaborative leadership environment.

• The opportunity to work within a specialist SEN setting.

• A varied role with genuine responsibility and influence.

• The opportunity to contribute to school improvement and strategic development.

• A professional and dedicated staff team.

• Opportunities to develop your skills across finance, operations and school management.

• A school culture focused on the wellbeing, development and achievement of its pupils.

Safeguarding & Compliance

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be required to complete appropriate pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and right‑to‑work verification.

The successful candidate will be expected to comply fully with the school's safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality, data protection and professional conduct policies.