School Business Manager in Leeds

School Business Manager in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 26743 - 28896 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage school business, finance, and operations for high-quality education.
  • Company: St Walburga's Catholic Primary School, a values-driven community.
  • Benefits: Permanent contract, term-time hours, ongoing development opportunities, and supportive leadership.
  • Other info: Join a growing Trust with excellent career growth and flexibility.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a nurturing environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: 2-3 years' experience in a school office, strong IT skills, and financial management experience.

The predicted salary is between 26743 - 28896 £ per year.

Location: Shipley BD18 4RL

Hours: 30 hours per week

Contract: Permanent - Term Time Only + 3 days

Pay Scale: (PO1 SCP 27-30). £26,743 - £28,896 per annum (actual)

Start Date: June 2026

About Us

St Walburga's Catholic Primary School is a welcoming, values-driven community rooted in a strong Catholic ethos. We are committed to nurturing every child to achieve their full potential academically, socially and spiritually. As part of a supportive Catholic Academy Trust, we benefit from strong leadership, collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced School Business Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team. Working closely with the Headteacher, you will lead and manage the school's business, finance and operational functions, ensuring efficient and effective systems that support the delivery of high-quality education.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead all school business, finance and administrative operations
  • Manage budgets, financial planning, monitoring and reporting
  • Oversee HR, recruitment, induction, payroll and staff development
  • Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety and data protection
  • Manage premises, procurement, contracts and site operations
  • Produce financial and operational reports for SLT and governors
  • Line manage office, site and cleaning staff
  • Support policy development and school improvement
  • Take delegated responsibility in the absence of the Headteacher where required

Essential Criteria

  • 2–3 years' experience in a school office environment at a senior/decision-making level, including administration, ICT systems, reception duties and complex workloads
  • Strong IT skills with extensive experience in Microsoft Office and databases (e.g. Arbor), including producing detailed reports and spreadsheets
  • Experience of financial management, including budgeting, strategic financial planning and financial reporting (ideally in education)
  • Experience of supervising or managing staff
  • Experience of HR, payroll and Health & Safety processes
  • GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent, e.g. Adult Literacy/Numeracy at Level 1)

About You

You will be highly organised, confident in leading teams and managing competing priorities. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to support strategic decision-making at senior level.

What We Offer

  • A welcoming Catholic school community with strong values
  • Supportive Headteacher and Trust leadership
  • Ongoing CPD and development opportunities
  • A permanent contract within a growing Trust
  • Term-time working with additional flexibility

Important Dates

Closing date for applications: 12 May 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 18 May 2026

Apply today and you will be contacted on the next steps.

School Business Manager in Leeds employer: St Walburga's

St Walburga's Catholic Primary School is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and values-driven environment where staff are supported in their professional growth. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration within a dedicated Catholic Academy Trust, employees benefit from ongoing development opportunities and a supportive leadership team. Located in Shipley, the school provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a flexible term-time working schedule.
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Contact Detail:

St Walburga's Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land School Business Manager in Leeds

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for their community.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in finance, HR, and operations clearly, as these are key areas for the School Business Manager role.

✨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 take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager in Leeds

Financial Management
Budgeting
Strategic Financial Planning
Financial Reporting
HR Management
Payroll Management
Health & Safety Compliance
Data Protection Compliance
IT Skills
Microsoft Office
Database Management
Report Production
Team Leadership
Organisational Skills
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of School Business Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in finance, HR, and administration have made a positive impact in your previous roles. We want to see real examples of your achievements!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and gets straight to the heart of your suitability for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at St Walburga's

✨Know Your Numbers

As a School Business Manager, you'll be handling budgets and financial planning. Brush up on your financial management skills and be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting and reporting. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed finances in previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

You'll be part of the Senior Leadership Team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Think of instances where you've led a team or managed staff effectively. Be prepared to share how you handle competing priorities and support your team in achieving their goals.

✨Understand the School's Ethos

Familiarise yourself with St Walburga's Catholic ethos and values. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to nurturing the school community. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely care about the school's mission.

✨Prepare for Compliance Questions

Compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection is key in this role. Be ready to discuss your knowledge and experience in these areas. Consider any relevant policies you've implemented or followed in past positions, as this will highlight your attention to detail and commitment to safety.

School Business Manager in Leeds
St Walburga's
Location: Leeds

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