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- Tasks: Lead school operations in finance, HR, compliance, and IT to support high-quality education.
- Company: Join South Farnham Educational Trust, a dynamic and ambitious Multi Academy Trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and collaboration with senior leaders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the school's success and community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience in school operations with strong organisational and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 41857 - 47954 £ per year.
Location: South Farnham School (Split Site Primary School)
Salary: Range 31-35 (£41,857 - £47,954) based on experience
Contract: Full-time, permanent
About the Role:
South Farnham Educational Trust (SFET) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated School Business Manager to play a pivotal role in the leadership and effective operation of South Farnham school, which is a split site primary. You will work closely with the CFO, Headteacher and the Central Trust Team to ensure that the school meets its educational and operational aims. This is a strategic and hands-on role with responsibility for finance, HR, administration, compliance, procurement, IT systems, estates and health & safety. You will promote the highest standards of business ethos, ensuring the most effective and efficient use of resources to support high-quality education.
As an integral member of both the School Leadership Team and the wider Trust, you will ensure that our pupils, staff and parents receive outstanding support and that our operations run smoothly, professionally and in line with Trust values.
As a key member of the school and Trust team, you will:
- Lead school business operations across finance, HR, compliance, IT, estates and administration
- Prepare, monitor and forecast school budgets, producing reports for SLT and Governors
- Ensure financial systems, internal controls, procurement and best-value practices are robust
- Lead income generation, lettings and commercial opportunities
- Manage HR processes including recruitment, onboarding, payroll liaison and staff checks
- Oversee digital systems, MIS platforms and administrative processes
- Manage procurement, service contracts and supplier relationships
- Work with the Site Manager on health & safety compliance and premises operations
- Act as the school's Data Protection lead, ensuring GDPR compliance
About You:
We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking School Business Manager who brings:
- Experience working in a school environment, with responsibility for HR, finance, procurement or administration
- Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Confidence in managing financial processes, producing reports and supporting governance
- Ability to oversee MIS/digital systems and support digital improvement
- Leadership experience managing multi-functional teams
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and alignment with SFET's ethos of high expectations
- Qualifications such as CSBM/DSBM, A Levels/Degree, and continued professional development are desirable.
Why Join Us?
SFET is an ambitious, high-performing Multi Academy Trust committed to excellence, collaboration and professional growth. As School Business Manager, you will play a central role in ensuring the smooth running of the school and supporting a thriving community of staff, pupils and families.
We offer:
- A supportive and values-driven culture
- Opportunities to work closely with senior leaders across the Trust
- Professional development and training through a growing central operations team
- A dynamic environment where your expertise will make a genuine impact
Interested? To find out more about this exciting opportunity or to visit the School/Trust, please contact us (details are enclosed in the "advert" attachment).
Deadline date: Wednesday 15th April. Interviews commencing week beginning 20th April. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a strong response, so early applications are encouraged.
Safeguarding Statement: South Farnham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
School Business Manager in England employer: Esher Church of England High School
Contact Detail:
Esher Church of England High School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at South Farnham School. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a job offer before it even gets advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the school and its values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise answering common questions and have some examples ready that showcase your skills in finance, HR, and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet the team, let your passion for education and business management shine through. They want to see how you’ll fit into their culture, so be yourself and share your vision for supporting the school.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in finance, HR, and administration. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the School Business Manager role at South Farnham School.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a key member of the leadership team, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in previous roles, and how you can bring that expertise to our school.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Esher Church of England High School
✨Know Your Numbers
As a School Business Manager, you'll be handling budgets and financial reports. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Prepare specific examples of how you’ve forecasted or monitored finances effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so think about times when you've led a team or project. Be prepared to share your approach to managing multi-functional teams and how you ensure everyone is aligned with the school's ethos and goals.
✨Understand Compliance and Regulations
Familiarise yourself with GDPR and health & safety regulations relevant to schools. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and any systems you've implemented to maintain these standards.
✨Engage with the Trust's Values
Research South Farnham Educational Trust’s values and mission. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their commitment to excellence and collaboration within the school community.