School Business & Operations Lead

Philosophy Education, Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Philosophy Education, Ltd. seeks a School Business & Operations Lead to act as the operational heart of a small, specialised secondary school.

You will oversee HR compliance, finance reconciliation, procurement and recruitment, while maintaining a professional front-of-house presence for families and visitors. Reporting to the Head of School, you will bridge high-level compliance with day-to-day office realities, supporting data management, safeguarding checks and stakeholder communications in a

Qualifications

• Must have school-based experience (min 1 year).
• Senior administrative role requires strong organizational and compliance capabilities.
• Experience bridging HR, finance and admin in a school setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee school data and compliance.
• Lead on financial reconciliation processes.
• Manage school procurement and supplier relations.
• Handle end-to-end recruitment and pre-employment/safeguarding checks.
• Provide reception cover and coordinate student welfare.

Skills

School operations

HR compliance

Finance reconciliation

Procurement

Recruiting

Reception/front-of-house

Job description

• School Business & Operations lead
• Full -time term time only
• Asap start
• Ongoing contract – Possible temp – perm
• Must have school-based experience (min 1 year)

This popular co- educational school Special free school supports students with EHCPs for Speech, Language and Communication needs Located in the borough ofWestminsteris looking for an experienced School Business & Operations Lead to join their team asap to support with Office admin/ HR and Finance as well as supporting the head.

Job role

The school are seeking a highly capable and proactive School Business & Operations Lead to become the operational heart of our small, dedicated special needs school. This is a senior administrative position designed for a “systems thinker”. Someone who takes pride in ensuring that every school process, from HR compliance to financial reconciliation, is robust, efficient, and fit for purpose.

Reporting directly to the Head of School, you will act as a vital partner to the HR Manager and Finance Department. Your day-to-day work will bridge the gap between high-level compliance and the practical, “anything really” realities of a busy school office. You will have a strategic overview of the parental communications and school systems, while also serving as a professional front-of-house presence for families, contractors, and visitors.

As a school Business & Operational lead your role will include:

• Oversight of school data and Compliance
• Leading on the financial reconciliation process
• Managing school procurement
• End to End recruitment and working with single central record for pre-employment and safeguarding checks
• General reception cover and coordinating student welfare

The school

The school is a co-educational Special Free School for students aged 11–16 with EHCPs for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Many of the students also experience social, emotional and mental health needs, and the school are committed to supporting the whole child — their learning, wellbeing and future independence.