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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finance, HR, and administration to ensure smooth school operations.
- Company: Join a vibrant primary school community in St Annes, FY8.
- Benefits: Enjoy a permanent role with term-time hours and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact while collaborating with passionate educators and staff.
- Qualifications: Experience in school business management and strong organisational skills required.
- Other info: Position starts on 1st September 2025; flexible start date available.
The predicted salary is between 21141 - 23666 £ per year.
Salary
SCP ,181 – SCP ,269
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
All-year-round (52 weeks) or 39 weeks term-time plus 4 additional holiday weeks (pro rata)
About the School
We are recruiting a highly skilled school business manager for a thriving, local authority‑maintained community primary school for children aged 4‑11, and one of the largest primary schools in Bristol, with over 775 pupils on roll. The school was rated Outstanding in all categories in its most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2023).
About the Role
This school is looking for an experienced school business leader and highly competent manager who will:
- Play a key role in ensuring the school\’s ongoing financial resilience and operational excellence within a changing educational landscape.
- Oversee the strategic management of physical and financial assets, inheriting a balanced budget and a well‑maintained site.
- Lead and develop the school\’s business functions with determination, navigating financial challenges while identifying opportunities for growth and efficiency.
- Manage resources sustainably to ensure the school\’s operational foundations remain robust, distinctive, and highly effective.
- Lead and support the continued professional development of a skilled and creative team of support staff.
- Work in close partnership with Bristol City Council and other key stakeholders to secure the best possible outcomes.
- Act with professional confidence and collaboration as a strategic partner in school improvement.
About You
You must be someone who is:
- An experienced professional and highly capable manager with strong strategic vision and a collaborative, professional approach.
- Able to provide a track record of financial and operational leadership, ideally within an educational or public sector environment.
- Able to use excellent interpersonal skills and strategic thinking to inspire staff, governors, and the wider school community.
- Able to value and uphold the ethos of a proud local authority‑maintained school.
- Able to bring imagination, resilience, and resourcefulness to managing complex operations and budgets.
- Committed to collaboration and the ongoing development of a hardworking and creative staff team.
What They Offer
The successful candidate will benefit from:
- Secure starting point: A balanced budget, a well‑maintained and vibrant site, and a comprehensive compliance framework already in place.
- Strong professional networks: Established relationships with a wide range of goods and services providers.
- Supportive community: A welcoming, inclusive environment with a talented and motivated staff team and a committed Governing Body.
- Collaborative leadership: A Senior Leadership Team that values the School Business Manager as a key strategic partner.
- Engaged families and pupils: Enthusiastic parents and children who love learning and school life.
Start Date and Contact
The school is looking to appoint for a T3 start on Monday 23rd February. For more information or to request an information pack, please contact [email protected].
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School Business Manager employer: Tradewind Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Tradewind Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Business Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial and HR systems used in schools. Research common software and tools that are prevalent in school business management, as this knowledge will demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former school business managers to gain insights into the role. They can provide valuable information about the challenges and expectations of the position, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or improved processes in previous roles. Highlighting your achievements in these areas will showcase your financial astuteness and organisational skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your commitment to the school's vision and values by researching their mission statement and recent initiatives. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs, showing that you're not just looking for a job, but a meaningful role in their community.
We think you need these skills to ace School Business Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in school business management or support. Emphasise your financial skills, organisational abilities, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your attention to detail.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the school community. Address how your skills align with the job requirements, particularly in finance, HR, and administration, and express your commitment to the school's vision and values.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, be sure to include specific examples of your previous roles that relate to the responsibilities of a School Business Manager. Mention any successful projects or initiatives you've led that improved efficiency or collaboration within a school setting.
Prepare for the Interview: Since this role involves a two-stage interview process, prepare by researching common interview questions for school business managers. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving and how you would handle various scenarios related to finance, HR, and health & safety.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tradewind Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles in school business management or support. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed finances, HR, or facilities, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial management is a key aspect of the role, brush up on relevant financial systems and be ready to discuss how you've effectively managed budgets or financial processes in the past.
✨Communicate Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing collaboration with various stakeholders like the Headteacher and Governors.
✨Emphasise Your Proactive Approach
Prepare to share examples of how you've taken initiative in previous roles. A proactive and solution-focused mindset is highly valued, so think of situations where you identified problems and implemented effective solutions.
