Strategic School Business Manager

Teaching Vacancies; Malpas; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Bishop Heber High School in rural south Cheshire is seeking a Strategic School Business Manager to join the Senior Leadership Team from April 2027. The post covers administration, finance, site and facilities, HR, IT, GDPR, catering and health and safety, with a broad remit across operations and strategy.

The successful candidate will balance strategic leadership with day-to-day management, working closely with the Headteacher to monitor budgets, staffing, procurement and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience of planning 1-3-year budgets, drafting funding proposals, monitoring contract performance and overseeing recruitment.
• A high level of HR management experience.
• A high level of commercial acumen and business expertise.
• A proven track record in project management.
• An extremely analytical mindset and meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven ability to balance conflicting priorities.
• Line management experience of a large team/s.
• Formal business qualification, preferably together with an HR qualification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration management, finance, site and facilities management, HR, IT infrastructure, GDPR, catering and health and safety.
• Be a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and work closely with the Headteacher.

Skills

Budget planning

HR management

Commercial acumen

Project management

Analytical mindset

Prioritisation

Line management

Strategic leadership

Education

Formal business qualification

HR qualification

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Strategic School Business Manager

Grade 12

SCP 40-45

We require from April 2027, a motivated, committed and dynamic Strategic School Business Manager and leader to join this thriving 11-18 Foundation School. The new Business Manager will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on school strategic direction and outcomes, joining a team of ambitious leaders and becoming an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Bishop Heber High School is a very successful, popular and oversubscribed School situated in rural South Cheshire with over 1,300 students from Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales.

The successful candidate will be able to think strategically and act operationally. With a remit spanning from administration management, finance, site and facilities management, HR, IT infrastructure, GDPR, catering and health and safety. The successful candidate will be a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and will work closely with the Headteacher.

To be equal to the challenge, you will require:

• Experience of planning 1-3-year budgets, drafting funding proposals, monitoring contract performance and overseeing recruitment
• A high level of HR management experience
• A high level of commercial acumen and business expertise
• A proven track record in project management
• An extremely analytical mindset and meticulous attention to detail
• Proven ability to balance conflicting priorities
• Line management experience of a large team/s

Finally, a formal business qualification, preferably together with an HR qualification,

along with other relevant qualifications and experience is required.

The closing date is 9 a.m. on Friday, 6th November 2026.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th November

We are totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. If successful, you will be expected to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The School is an equal opportunities employer.

What the school offers its staff

THE SCHOOL

Bishop Heber High School (the 'Heber') has 1,300 students, including 250 in the Sixth Form, and serves three villages and surrounding hamlets in this beautiful area of south-west Cheshire. The School is located a 20-minute car journey from Nantwich, Wrexham and Chester. It has easy access to the Wirral as well as North Shropshire. The School enjoys an excellent reputation in the locality and a large number of families choose Bishop Heber from outside the catchment area. In fact, there are over 450 students on roll who come from other parts of Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales. In 2015 the School underwent a £5 million redevelopment of the site and there are strong community links through the School's Library and sports facilities, including a Community Fitness Suite, Astroturf pitch and outdoor Netball courts.

We are a Foundation School and formerly an International Specialist Languages College which underpins an exciting international dimension both in the School and through its curriculum and enrichment programme.

Ofsted

In our most recent inspection (July 2026), Ofsted recognised Bishop Heber High School as a as a thriving, inclusive and high-achieving school where students are happy, safe and exceptionally successful. Inspectors highlighted the school's consistently outstanding academic outcomes, noting that students achieve well above national averages and are extremely well prepared for their future education, employment and training. The report praised the school's highly inclusive ethos and the unwavering commitment of staff to ensuring every young person succeeds, regardless of background or ability. Students were commended for their exemplary attitudes to learning, confidence, resilience and respect for others, while the school was described as an 'oasis of calm' characterised by warm and positive relationships. Ofsted also recognised the exceptional personal development opportunities available to students through leadership, enrichment, careers education and educational visits. The inspection celebrates the dedication of staff, the strength of the school community and the school's relentless commitment to excellence and the belief that every young person can flourish.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.