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- Tasks: Lead school operations, manage budgets, and support high-quality education delivery.
- Company: St Walburga’s Catholic Primary School, a values-driven community.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, term-time hours, ongoing development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working within a growing Trust and a welcoming community.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in education.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years in a senior school office role with strong IT and financial skills.
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 employer: St Walburga's
Contact Detail:
St Walburga's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager
✨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 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
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 skills; demonstrate them! Provide examples of how you've managed budgets, led teams, or improved processes in previous roles. This will help us see the real impact you can bring to our school.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Walburga's
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the school’s ethos and values. Research St Walburga’s Catholic Primary School and understand their commitment to nurturing children academically, socially, and spiritually. This will help you align your answers with their mission during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that highlight your experience in financial management, HR processes, and operational functions. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully managed budgets or led teams, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing a budget cut or dealing with a staffing issue. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and prepare your responses to show your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the school’s future plans or how they measure success in the business manager role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.