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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business functions across four schools, providing strategic advice and support.
- Company: United Learning is dedicated to delivering excellent education across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's lives while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven financial leadership experience and strong strategic planning skills required.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Location: Salford
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 (based on experience and with opportunity for performance related pay incentives)
Working pattern: Full time with possible flexibility
Closing Date: Sunday 14th June 2025
Shortlisting: Monday 23rd June 2025
Interviews: Monday 7th July 2025
The role
Do you have a proven track record in financial leadership and strategic planning? Are you a confident communicator who thrives in a fast paced, multi stakeholder environment? Are you ready to shape and lead business services that directly support educational excellence? If so, we would love to hear from you.
The United Learning Salford Cluster is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated Executive Business Manager to lead our business functions across four schools that are all on a unique but exciting journey. You will be expected to offer trusted strategic advice to each of our Principals as they seek to develop the unique strengths of each school. Your support will enable our schools to deliver an excellent education to young people across Salford. You will be committed to excellence, managing a team of people covering a range of business functions such as Finance, HR, IT, Facilities, Marketing and Governance. In an environment where no two days are the same you will work closely with leaders across the Salford Cluster and United Learning’s central teams, striving to ensure sustainability, efficiency and effective ways of working.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate sound financial planning and budgetary control, adept management skills and be able to make sure that the cluster realises all the benefits of being a part of United Learning.
Your experience
- Proven experience in financial and operational leadership across multiple sites or schools
- Strategic planning and resource management expertise
- Confidence in influencing at senior levels, including Principals, Governors and Trust Executives
- A collaborative leadership style that motivates high performing teams.
- The highest regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of staff, children and young people.
About United Learning Salford Cluster
United Learning is a group of schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. Our Salford Cluster includes The Albion Academy, The Lowry Academy, Salford City Academy and Irlam and Cadenhead. Each school is at a different stage of its improvement journey with distinct priorities and leadership. We work collaboratively across the cluster to deliver the best possible education for our students. Support staff are delivered both within individual schools or as part of a shared cluster team, ensuring high quality consistent provision.
We offer:
- A competitive salary with performance related incentives
- Access to high quality professional development and leadership training.
- Eight In Service Education Training (INSET) days per year, including dedicated planning time
- Generous pension with 19% employer contributions
- A strong focus on staff wellbeing including a group wide wellbeing programme
- Opportunities to contribute to strategic development and share services across multiple schools
- Access to specialist resources and facilities through United Learning’s national network
- A chance to make a tangible impact on the lives of young people in Salford.
Your application
Your application should explain your suitability for the role described above and in the job description and should be tailored to meet the Person Specification in terms of your knowledge, experience, skills, qualities and qualifications. United Learning values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating and sustaining a more ethnically diverse workforce. We welcome applications from professionals of minority ethnic origin and from majority ethnic professionals who share our commitment to inclusion and diversity.
If you would like to discuss the role informally, please contact Christopher Clyne, Regional Director, on Christopher.Clyne@unitedlearning.org.uk.
Cluster Executive Business Manager employer: Salford City Academy
Contact Detail:
Salford City Academy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cluster Executive Business Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and opportunities facing each school in the Salford Cluster. Understanding their unique contexts will allow you to tailor your approach and demonstrate how your strategic planning skills can directly benefit them.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former staff members from the United Learning Salford Cluster. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which you can leverage during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of your past successes in financial leadership and operational management across multiple sites. Be ready to discuss how these experiences have equipped you to influence senior stakeholders effectively and lead diverse teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare in your discussions. This is a key aspect of the role, so be prepared to share your strategies for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for both staff and students.
We think you need these skills to ace Cluster Executive Business Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific requirements of the Executive Business Manager role. Refer directly to the job description and person specification to demonstrate your suitability.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Emphasise your proven track record in financial leadership and strategic planning. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully managed multiple sites or schools, and how your collaborative leadership style has motivated teams.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since the role requires confident communication with senior stakeholders, include examples that showcase your ability to influence and advise at high levels, such as working with Principals and Governors.
Express Commitment to Safeguarding: Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, make sure to articulate your commitment to promoting the welfare of staff and students. This could be through previous roles or initiatives you've led.
How to prepare for a job interview at Salford City Academy
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience in financial leadership. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed budgets or improved financial processes, as this role requires sound financial planning and budgetary control.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you can contribute to the strategic planning of the schools in the cluster. Prepare to share your insights on resource management and how you would approach developing the unique strengths of each school.
✨Communicate Confidently
As a confident communicator, practice articulating your ideas clearly and persuasively. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles, as this will be crucial when working with Principals and Governors.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Leadership
This role requires a collaborative leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've motivated high-performing teams and worked effectively across multiple sites or departments, showcasing your ability to foster teamwork and drive results.