At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage support services across two specialist schools, ensuring operational excellence.
- Company: Outstanding rated school dedicated to transforming the lives of young people with complex needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and making a difference in students' lives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while working with passionate teams in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong financial acumen, ideally in education.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 55000 € per year.
Dual Site Salary: £52,000 - £55,000 per annum
Location: Bucknall (Stoke-on-Trent) & Wilmslow (Cheshire East)
Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term, 40 hours per week
About Us
This School is proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted, delivering innovative education and care for up to 90 young people aged 6-19 with complex needs, including Autism and associated conditions. This School, opened in April 2023, is already making a significant impact. With capacity for 50 students, it provides specialist education for children and young people aged 5-19 with Autism spectrum conditions. We are proud to have achieved Outstanding ratings in Behaviour & Attitudes and Personal Development in our most recent Ofsted inspection.
The Role
This is a senior leadership opportunity across two specialist schools, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping operational excellence and supporting outstanding outcomes for students. Both schools have Administration Teams that will work under your management and guidance. As School Business Manager, you will lead and develop all support services across both sites, including:
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Administration
- Facilities & Estates
- ICT
- Health & Safety
- Housekeeping & Catering
You will ensure these services operate efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with the schools' strategic priorities, creating safe, effective, and high-quality environments for learning and wellbeing.
Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will:
- Lead strategic and operational planning for support services
- Manage budgets with full accountability, driving value and performance
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, safeguarding, and health & safety requirements
- Oversee financial performance, reporting, and resource allocation
- Inspire and manage multi-disciplinary teams across both sites
- Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence
This is a varied and dynamic role, and you will be expected to contribute to the wider leadership and success of both schools.
About You
You are an experienced and confident leader with a strong background in business management, ideally within education or a similar regulated environment. You will bring:
- Proven leadership experience across multiple operational functions
- Strong financial acumen, including budget setting, monitoring, and performance analysis (including EBITDA)
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding, compliance, and health & safety legislation
- Understanding of education funding, inspection frameworks, and regulatory requirements
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- The ability to work autonomously, make sound decisions, and solve complex problems
Desirable:
- A recognised management or professional qualification (e.g. Management Diploma or Finance qualification)
- Experience leading HR processes and procedures
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact across two specialist settings, working with passionate teams committed to transforming the lives of young people. Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Education Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
School Business Manager in Slough employer: Blackstone Recruitment Limited
Join a forward-thinking educational institution that is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with complex needs. As a School Business Manager, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values innovation and collaboration, while also enjoying opportunities for professional growth and development across two outstanding sites in Bucknall and Wilmslow. With a commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare, this role offers a chance to lead dynamic teams and drive operational excellence in a rewarding environment.
Contact Detail:
Blackstone Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at schools. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the schools thoroughly. Understand their values, recent achievements, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability as a School Business Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the School Business Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and financial acumen, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in managing budgets and compliance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for education and how your background aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention your experience in operational planning and team management, as these will resonate with us.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on roles that demonstrate your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex operations. We want to see how you've driven performance and compliance in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blackstone Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a School Business Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong financial acumen. Brush up on your budget-setting and performance analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past and any specific metrics you've improved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires you to lead multi-disciplinary teams across two sites. Think about your leadership style and be prepared to share examples of how you've inspired and managed teams in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in operational planning and driving continuous improvement.
✨Understand Compliance Inside Out
With a focus on safeguarding and health & safety, it's crucial to know the relevant legislation. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous positions. This will show that you're serious about creating safe environments for students.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills are key for this role. During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the schools' strategic priorities. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values.
