Part time School Business Manager

Purpose of the Role
To provide strategic and operational leadership for the school’s business and financial functions, ensuring effective systems, compliance, value for money and operational support for the school’s educational priorities. The postholder will work closely with school leaders, governors and operational staff to ensure the effective management of finance, HR, premises, health and safety, compliance and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Management
  • Oversee payroll processes.
  • Authorise BACS runs and sign off invoices.
  • Support budget monitoring alongside the Executive Headteacher, Head of School and finance support staff.
  • Contribute to financial reporting for governors, including oversight of monthly returns and bank reconciliations.
  • Ensure compliance with school financial procedures and audit requirements.
  • Lead on SFVS completion and Local Authority financial compliance.
  • Oversee SEND top-up funding processes, including invoicing Local Authorities.
• Human Resources
  • Oversee HR administration, including staff contracts and safer recruitment checks.
  • Monitor the Single Central Record (SCR).
  • Ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation and HR procedures.
• Procurement and Contracts
  • Manage procurement processes and review contracts to ensure value for money and compliance.
  • Negotiate and oversee lettings agreements and other service contracts.
• Leadership and Management
  • Line manage and support relevant operational staff, including finance, premises and family support staff.
  • Work collaboratively with administrative teams to ensure effective systems and procedures are in place.
  • Contribute to organisational improvement and operational effectiveness.
• Compliance, Health & Safety and Risk
  • Oversee data protection compliance.
  • Ensure statutory premises and health & safety checks are completed.
  • Support risk management processes across the school.
  • Ensure compliance with Local Authority and statutory requirements.
• Governance and Partnerships
  • Attend regular meetings with governors as required.
  • Provide operational and business advice to school leaders and governors.
  • Support PTA and Governors’ Fund administration and access arrangements.
  • Develop opportunities for income generation, partnerships and community engagement, including volunteers and fundraising initiatives.
• Additional Duties
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the role.

Person Specification

• Qualifications and Training
  • Essential: 5 GCSEs including English and mathematics (Grade C/4 or above).
  • Essential: A degree or further education qualification, ideally in accountancy, business management or a related discipline.
  • Desirable: A recognised School Business Management qualification.
• Experience
  • Essential: Successful leadership and management experience in a school or relevant field outside education.
  • Essential: Experience of organisational self‑evaluation and improvement planning.
  • Essential: Experience of managing strategic financial plans, budgets, procurement and financial reporting.
  • Essential: Experience of HR, payroll and health & safety management.
  • Essential: Line management experience.
  • Essential: Experience of leading or contributing to change management.
  • Essential: Experience of staff development and performance management.
  • Essential: Experience of human resources management and safer recruitment processes.
  • Desirable: Experience of data protection compliance.
  • Desirable: Experience of working effectively with external partners and stakeholders.
  • Desirable: Experience of income generation or fundraising initiatives.
• Skills and Knowledge
  • Essential: Strong understanding of financial management and budget monitoring.
  • Essential: Understanding of school management and operational issues.
  • Essential: Knowledge of health and safety requirements.
  • Essential: Knowledge of procurement principles and contract management.
  • Essential: Knowledge of HR processes and relevant legislation.
  • Essential: Strong IT skills and confidence using management information systems and finance packages.
  • Essential: Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and compliance requirements.
  • Desirable: Previous experience using SIMS and FMS.
  • Desirable: Knowledge of fundraising and income generation strategies.
  • Desirable: Understanding of data protection requirements.
  • Desirable: Knowledge of how to implement highly reliable systems and processes.
• Personal Qualities
  • Essential: Commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and securing the best outcomes for pupils.
  • Essential: Commitment to safeguarding, equality and inclusion.
  • Essential: High levels of integrity, honesty, loyalty and professionalism.
  • Essential: Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
  • Essential: Strong organisational and planning skills.
  • Essential: Analytical and strategic thinking skills.
  • Essential: Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Essential: Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, governors and stakeholders.
  • Essential: Ability to lead, influence and inspire others.
  • Essential: Proactive, adaptable and solution‑focused approach.
  • Essential: Motivation to contribute to school improvement.
  • Essential: Confidence and professional credibility.
  • Essential: Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively within limited working hours.