What skills and experience we're looking for
School Business Manager
Job description: School Business Manager
St. Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
Job details
Salary: SCP 18 (Grade 7) FTE £30,559 ACTUAL £22,566 or
SCP 24 (Grade 8) FTE £34,314 ACTUAL £25,339 Depending on experience
Hours: 32.5 hours per week over 38 weeks. Term time only including one INSET day
Contract type: Part time with 6 months probation period
Reporting to: Headteacher and Governors
Main purpose
The school business manager (SBM) is responsible for managing the strategy and operation of the business functions of our school, including financial management, health and safety, human resources, compliance and administration.
They will advise on and implement the day-to-day support that enables the school to operate effectively and efficiently, and that allows other members of the leadership team to focus on teaching and learning.
Duties and responsibilities
Leadership and strategy:
Be responsible for line-managing support staff, including carrying out long-term resource planning and managing recruitment, appraisal and professional development
Under the direction of the headteacher, lead on all financial matters in school, to ensure the school’s successful financial performance and to ensure financial decisions are clearly linked to the school’s strategic goals
Implement school-wide changes and allocate resources in line with the school improvement plan, putting policies and procedures in place and communicating them to staff
Take all decisions in line with the vision and values of the school, and encourage others to do the same
Implement a marketing plan for the school, which utilises the school website, signage, the prospectus, and communications with current and prospective parents
Monitor developments in technology and consider how it can be used to enhance the school’s business processes, teaching and learning, and staff wellbeing
As a member of the senior leadership team, attend leadership team meetings when necessary and report to governors where appropriate
Financial management and fundraising:
In partnership with the headteacher, manage the school’s budget and ensure it is balanced, realistic, and represents an effective use of public funds
Submit the budget to the governing board
Monitor the budget all year round, advising the headteacher where revisions or changes are needed
Forecast future years’ budgets, based on the school’s estimated funding and trends in expenditure, to enable the headteacher to make strategic, long-term decisions
Comply with financial reporting requirements and submit statutory returns
Oversee school bank accounts on a day-to-day basis, ensuring money is banked, invoices are paid promptly, money owed is collected, and clear records are kept
Develop and implement the school’s fundraising and income generation strategy, choosing fundraising priorities in line with the school improvement plan
Find and apply for grants
Lead on procurement processes, managing tenders where appropriate, conducting due diligence, benchmarking and evaluating suppliers, negotiating deals and ensuring value for money
Manage the school’s lettings offer
Human resources:
Manage the school’s payroll provision with the payroll provider
Ensure that recruitment, appraisal, disciplinary and grievance policies are administered in accordance with employment law
Advise on HR issues within school and liaise with the external HR provider
Conduct reviews of the school’s staffing structure to ensure effective deployment of staff and financial efficiency
Health and safety:
With the headteacher and premises team, supervise the maintenance of the school site
Manage the school’s compliance with health and safety regulations, and put in place processes and procedures to ensure the safety of all in the school
Organise health and safety training for staff
Compliance:
Manage the school’s compliance with statutory obligations, and advise others on the relevant legal, regulatory and ethical requirements
Track all school policies and ensure they are updated in accordance with the policy review schedule
Monitor and update the risk register
Administration:
Keep records in accordance with the school’s record retention schedule and data protection law, ensuring information security and confidentiality at all times
Provide administrative support for the headteacher and governing body
Be the school’s data protection officer, taking responsibility for monitoring data protection compliance and advising the school community on data protection issues
The school business manager will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
Please note that this list of duties is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the school business manager will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.
Person specificationcriteria andqualities:
Qualifications and training:
A degree or other relevant qualification - ideally in accountancy, business management or a related discipline
A school business management qualification ( or a willingness to undertake the qualification within an agreed timescale)
Experience:
Successful leadership and management experience in a school, or in a relevant field outside education
Involvement in school self-evaluation and improvement planning
Line management experience
Contributing to staff development
Working with children or young people
Skills and knowledge:
Expert knowledge of financial management
Excellent attention to detail
Previous use of SIMs and/or Unit 4
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to communicate a vision and inspire others
Ability to build effective working relationships with staff and other stakeholders
Understanding of data protection and confidentiality
Personal qualities:
Commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and getting the best outcomes for all pupils
Commitment to acting with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the school
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
Commitment to safeguarding and equality
Embraces change well
Deals with difficult situations effectively
Date: January 2025
What the school offers its staff
In return we offer a competitive salary, ongoing professional development and the opportunity to work in a friendly and supportive environment. If you are passionate about education and have the skills and experience we are looking for, we would love to hear from you. For more detailed information of the expectations, roles and responsibilities of the Business Manager at St Gabriel’s please refer to the person specification and job description attached.
This is a part-time vacancy for 38 weeks a year. The hours of employment are in term time, from 8.30am to 3.30pm with 30 minutes lunch break (Monday to Friday including one INSET day). Starting salary will be Grade 7 or Grade 8 depending on experience.
St Gabriel’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Candidates are advised that the school operates stringent vetting procedures. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, the satisfactory completion of a Health Questionnaire and references satisfactory to the school.
All applicants are required to complete a Catholic Education Service Application form. Please DO NOT complete the Cheshire East document. Applications are available under the vacancy section of the school website
All applications and supporting letters should be emailed to admin@stgabriels.cheshire.sch.uk by Tuesday 4th February. Shortlisting to be held on Thursday 6th February 2025. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 12th February 2025.
Further details about the role
St. Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School is seeking a highly motivated and experienced School Business Manager to join our team as soon as possible. This is a part-time position that offers the opportunity to work in our diverse and vibrant learning environment and to support a committed, professional and hardworking office team.
As the School Business Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the school finances, personnel and the school premises. You will work closely with the Head Teacher and other senior leaders to ensure that the school’s budget is managed effectively and that all financial transactions are recorded accurately. You will also be responsible for managing the school’s human resources, including recruitment, training and performance management.
In addition to financial and personnel management, you will oversee the school premises, ensuring that they are well maintained, safe and fit for purpose. You will be part of and work closely with the school’s senior leaders to develop and implement strategic plans to support the school’s vision and mission.
To be considered for this role, you will need to have:
• A professional qualification in School Business Management (or a willingness to undertake the qualification within an agreed timescale) and/or financial qualification or a related field.
• Experience in a similar role or within an educational environment.
• Strong financial management skills with experience of financial planning and managing accounting.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent IT skills and experience of finance and HR systems.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and experience of managing facilities.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.