At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial, HR, and operational functions to drive school excellence.
- Company: Join an award-winning secondary school with state-of-the-art facilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience managing large budgets and strong HR leadership skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers passionate about educational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you an exceptional strategic leader ready to make a transformational impact at an ambitious, high‑performing and award‑winning secondary school? Adecco Romford & London East is seeking a skilled, driven and experienced School Business Leader to join a senior leadership team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the School's continued journey to outstanding. The School is a thriving, oversubscribed 11-19 co‑educational comprehensive school in London with state‑of‑the‑art facilities, high aspirations and nationally recognised success!
Reporting to the Headteacher, the School Business Leader will lead and develop the school's financial, HR, administrative, estates and commercial functions - ensuring that each area operates with excellence, compliance and efficiency.
Key Priorities- Financial Leadership
- Lead the strategic financial planning, monitoring and reporting of the school's budget
- Manage complex and multi‑strand budgets in excess of £3 million, ensuring strong control, value for money and long‑term sustainability
- Provide high‑level financial analysis and advice to the Headteacher and Governing Body
- Oversee all financial systems, audits, cashflow processes, procurement and payroll arrangements
- Human Resources Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight of all HR systems, policies and processes
- Lead safer recruitment, onboarding and safeguarding checks
- Advise senior leaders and governors on employment law, pay, contractual matters, absence, capability, grievance, restructuring and employee relations
- Oversee performance management and professional development for support staff
- Ensure robust HR compliance and the maintenance of secure personnel records
- Operations, Estates and Compliance
- Lead the strategic management of the school's facilities, health & safety, security and site development
- Ensure full compliance with all statutory requirements and best practice
- Oversee key contracts (FM, cleaning, grounds) and ensure high‑quality service delivery
- Support the effective management of the Sports Centre and wider lettings
- Catering & Community Services
- Provide leadership of catering arrangements and contractual performance
- Proven experience managing large, complex budgets (minimum ÂŁ3m)
- Strong HR leadership expertise, including employee relations and employment law
- Experience in financial planning, facilities management, compliance, procurement and operations
- Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills
- The ability to inspire, influence and develop high‑performing teams
- Experience in a school setting or a complex organisation with similar demands
- A proactive, solution‑focused mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement
This role is ideal for a highly skilled professional who thrives in a busy, strategic environment and is passionate about supporting educational excellence.
School Business Leader employer: Adecco
Contact Detail:
Adecco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a School Business Leader role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. We want to see you shine, so practice articulating your strategic leadership skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to the hiring team. Let’s get you in there!
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing large budgets and HR leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the key priorities of the School Business Leader role!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results, so if you’ve improved efficiency or saved costs, let us know!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Know Your Numbers
As a School Business Leader, you'll be managing complex budgets over ÂŁ3 million. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in the past. Bring specific examples of financial planning and monitoring that demonstrate your expertise.
✨HR Savvy is Key
With a strong focus on HR leadership, make sure you’re familiar with employment law and best practices in recruitment and employee relations. Prepare to share your experiences in leading HR processes and how you've handled challenging situations, like grievances or restructuring.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a proactive, solution-focused approach. Think about times when you've implemented strategic changes that improved operations or compliance. Be ready to discuss your vision for the school’s financial and operational excellence and how you plan to achieve it.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Excellent communication skills are essential for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a few key points about your leadership style and how you inspire high-performing teams, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.