At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage support services across two specialist schools for operational excellence.
- Company: Join a large independent SEN provider with a focus on student outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced leave, health cash plan, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 55000 € per year.
School Staffing Solutions is recruiting a School Business Manager - Dual Site, on behalf of a large independent SEN provider. This role covers two sites: a school in Stoke-on-Trent and a school in Wilmslow, Cheshire East. The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract, full-time (40 hours per week), with a salary of £52,000–£55,000 per year.
Locations: Bucknall (Stoke-on-Trent) and Wilmslow (Cheshire East)
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.
You will lead and develop all support services across both sites, including:
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Administration
- ICT
- Health & Safety
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
- A recognised management or professional qualification (e.g. Management Diploma or Finance qualification)
- Experience leading HR processes and procedures
What’s on offer
Grow with Us – Training & Development
Competitive Pay & Reward
We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You'll enjoy:
- Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Enhanced Pension & Life Assurance
- 24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household
- UK Health Cash Plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Refer a Friend – Earn 1,000
School Business Manager-dual site in Sandford employer: School Staffing Solutions
At School Staffing Solutions, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for our School Business Manager - Dual Site. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide comprehensive training opportunities and competitive benefits, including enhanced annual leave and 24/7 GP access for you and your household. Our commitment to operational excellence across our specialist schools in Stoke-on-Trent and Wilmslow ensures that you will play a vital role in shaping the future of education while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager-dual site in Sandford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with school business management. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the schools you're applying to. Understand their values, challenges, and successes. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and budgets in the past. Highlight your achievements in operational excellence and compliance to impress the interviewers.
✨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 and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager-dual site in Sandford
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 any relevant qualifications that match the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this dual site role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in business management, especially in education or similar environments.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen:Since financial management is key for this role, be sure to highlight your experience with budgeting and performance analysis. We love seeing numbers and results, so don’t hold back on showcasing your financial successes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at School Staffing Solutions
✨Know Your Schools Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research both schools thoroughly. Understand their missions, values, and any recent news or achievements. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and driving operational excellence. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves budget management and financial performance, be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting, monitoring, and performance analysis. Bring examples of how you've driven value and performance in previous roles, especially in an educational context.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of safeguarding and compliance in this role, brush up on relevant legislation and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past positions and how you would approach these responsibilities across both sites.
