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, ongoing development opportunities, and supportive leadership.
- Other info: Term-time working with additional flexibility and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a nurturing environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years' experience in a school office and strong IT skills required.
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 Shipley 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 in Shipley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, attend local events, and connect with other professionals on LinkedIn. 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 how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in finance and operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to school business management. Think about scenarios where you've successfully managed budgets or led teams, and be ready to share those stories. Confidence is key!
✨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 with our community.
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager in Shipley
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. We want to see how you can bring value 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. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. 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 reports. Brush up on your financial management skills and be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting and strategic financial planning. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed finances in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading teams and managing staff, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully supervised or developed staff, and how you handled any challenges that arose.
✨Understand the School's Ethos
St Walburga's Catholic Primary School has a strong community and values-driven ethos. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, and think about how your own values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their supportive environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and analytical skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you had to make strategic decisions or handle complex workloads. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process during the interview.