Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence across two specialist schools and manage support services.
- Company: Join a leading independent special educational needs provider with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced leave, health perks, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Bucknall (Stoke-on-Trent) & Wilmslow (Cheshire East)
Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: 52,000 – 55,000 per annum
School Staffing Solutions is proud to be recruiting a School Business Manager – Dual Site role on behalf of a large independent special educational needs provider. The provider operates two specialist schools: one in Stoke-on-Trent, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, providing innovative education and care for up to 90 young people aged 6‑19 with complex needs, including Autism; and a second in Wilmslow, opened in April 2023, with capacity for 50 students aged 5‑19 with autism spectrum conditions.
The Role
This senior leadership opportunity involves managing operational excellence across both schools. You will lead and develop support services for the administration teams at each site:
- 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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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 varied and dynamic role requires contribution 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.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- 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
- 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
What's on Offer
- Grow with Us – Training & Development
- Save money on everyday essentials with Perkbox app
- Competitive pay and reward; we benchmark pay and benefits to stay ahead
- Enhanced annual leave, company sick pay, enhanced pension and life assurance
- 24/7 GP access – for you and your household
- UK health cash plan
- Employee assistance programme
- Refer a friend – earn 1,000!
School Business Manager. Job in Wilmslow Education & Training Jobs employer: School Staffing Solutions
Contact Detail:
School Staffing Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager. Job in Wilmslow Education & Training Jobs
✨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, mission, and any recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led teams or managed budgets effectively. Being able to share these experiences confidently will set you apart during interviews.
✨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. Job in Wilmslow Education & Training Jobs
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! Tell us why you're passionate about education and how your background aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention your experience in operational management and how you can contribute to both schools.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you've driven performance and operational excellence in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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 developments, especially since one of them just opened in April 2023. This will show your genuine interest and help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Financial Savvy
Given the importance of budget management in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with financial performance and resource allocation. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets in the past, and be ready to explain your approach to driving value and performance.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This position requires strong leadership across multiple operational functions. Think of examples where you've inspired and managed teams effectively. Highlight your ability to solve complex problems and make sound decisions, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful ones that reflect your understanding of the role and the schools' needs. For instance, you could ask about their strategic priorities for the upcoming year or how they measure success in support services.