At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve core business systems, ensuring reliability and delivering insights.
- Company: Berkhamsted School, a progressive independent school with a strong IT focus.
- Benefits: Free lunches, excellent pension, and access to facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education through modernising data and systems.
- Qualifications: Experience with school MIS, SQL, and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Hybrid work options available for the right candidate.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Information Systems Manager to own, lead, and evolve the core business systems landscape within Berkhamsted school, a multisite independent school environment all based in Berkhamsted town. This is a pivotal role, bridging IT, Data, Finance, HR, and Academic teams, ensuring business‑critical platforms are reliable, well‑governed, secure, and delivering real organisational insight. You will have end‑to‑end ownership of systems including iSAMS (MIS), iTrent (HR & Payroll) and Sage (Finance), working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to drive continuous improvement, automation, and high‑quality reporting.
This is a high‑impact role offering real ownership, autonomy, and the chance to modernise and improve how data and systems support education. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, influence strategy, and help shape the future of business systems across the school. Berkhamsted is a well developed, well funded and digitally progressive organisation with a substantial IT team as evidenced by their annual IT Conference. Always with a view to the future they facilitate excellent rounded education whilst building digital literacy and resilience. It was one of the first schools to implement 1‑1 devices which has enabled digital learning across the school.
In addition to a close knit team of IT professionals, you’ll receive excellent benefits including access to facilities, free lunches during term time, excellent pension and a host of other benefits. This is primarily an onsite role, easily accessible by car from M25 and M1, and mainline train stations from London or Midlands, however Hybrid may also be considered in time or for the right candidate.
Key Responsibilities- Business Systems Ownership
- Act as product owner for core platforms: iSAMS, iTrent and Sage, plus associated integrations and portals
- Plan and deliver upgrades, patches, and annual cycles (e.g. payroll year‑end, iSAMS rollovers, Sage updates)
- Ensure system availability, performance, licensing compliance and vendor SLA management
- Data, Reporting & Insights
- Lead the analytics roadmap using Power BI, delivering executive dashboards and governed datasets
- Maintain and evolve SQL‑based reporting (SSRS, SAP Business Objects)
- Champion data quality, ownership, and standards across student, staff and finance data
- Integrations & Security
- Own integrations between business systems and identity platforms (Entra ID / Azure AD), finance, HR and academic tools
- Ensure secure access models, SSO/MFA configuration, and least‑privilege principles
- Support audits, compliance requirements, and statutory returns
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Line manage Business Systems staff and embed strong service discipline
- Partner with Finance, HR, Data and Academic leadership to translate operational needs into system improvements
- Manage third‑party suppliers, consultants and implementation partners
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify and deliver automation and digital process improvements using low‑code tools (Power Platform)
- Lead small to medium‑scale projects with clear benefits, governance and change management
- Proven ownership of a school MIS (ideally iSAMS but will also consider Schoolbase, sims, arbor, bromcom etc) and related HR/Finance systems
- Strong working knowledge of SQL, reporting tools, and data models
- Experience delivering system upgrades, migrations and integrations with third‑party vendors
- Hands‑on capability with tools such as Power BI, PowerShell, T‑SQL, APIs, IIS and SharePoint
- Confident stakeholder manager with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
- Experience in the education sector, ideally multisite
- Exposure to Power Platform, Dataverse, or Azure data services
- Familiarity with Agile, Kanban or ITIL ways of working
Business Systems Manager in England employer: Education Support Professionals Ltd
Contact Detail:
Education Support Professionals Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Systems Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Berkhamsted School on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into iSAMS, iTrent, and Sage. We should be ready to discuss how we can improve these systems and make a real impact on the school’s operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off our problem-solving skills! Think of examples where we've successfully managed system upgrades or integrations. Real-life stories will help us stand out and demonstrate our hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in being part of the Berkhamsted team.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Systems Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Systems Manager. Highlight your experience with systems like iSAMS, iTrent, and Sage, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your skills in data management and system improvements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Be sure to connect your previous experiences with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Make sure to include specific examples of your hands-on experience with SQL, Power BI, and any other tools mentioned in the job description. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Berkhamsted School and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Education Support Professionals Ltd
✨Know Your Systems Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the core systems mentioned in the job description, like iSAMS, iTrent, and Sage. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these platforms and how you've managed upgrades or integrations in the past.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since this role involves a lot of data reporting and analytics, brush up on your SQL and Power BI skills. Bring examples of dashboards or reports you've created, and be ready to explain how they provided insights or improved decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
This position requires strong collaboration with various teams. Think of specific instances where you've successfully communicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight your ability to translate operational needs into system improvements.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Prepare to discuss how you've identified and implemented process improvements in previous roles. Whether it's through automation or digital tools, show that you're proactive about enhancing system efficiency and user experience.