Home / Roles / Business Manager | Farney Close School
Join Farney Close, a special needs school in Sussex, and help shape the future of young people through exceptional financial and operational leadership.
* Location: Haywards Heath
Farney Close School is a special needs school located in Haywards Heath, Sussex. It is dedicated to providing a well-balanced academic and social education that prepares young people for the future. We offer state-of-the-art facilities that support learning, development and mental well-being.
We are looking for a Business Manager to join our senior leadership team. This role requires someone with proven expertise in finance, operations and HR to ensure the smooth running of our schools ‘non-teaching’ and ‘non-care’ departments, including the management of finance, HR and our 32-acre estate.
As a leader in our executive team, you’ll help us maintain our commitment to excellence by managing resources and compliance and working with our committed board to implement new strategic initiatives.
If you’re passionate about creating positive change for our learners and have the skills to drive our operations forward, this is your chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people.
Who we are
Our mission is to create an environment where every young person can grow academically, socially and emotionally. We achieve this through a dedicated team of educators, therapists and care professionals who work together to provide personalised support for every student.
Our facilities include a vocational block for mechanics, construction, and catering; a sports hall with a gym; and a unique Forest School area, which offers young people opportunities to explore, learn, and develop resilience. Our ‘Hush’ sensory room and well-being centre provides therapeutic spaces to support students’ mental health.
Our holistic approach and proactive teamwork equip students with the skills and confidence to thrive in their futures.
About the role
The Business Manager will oversee the financial, operational and administrative functions of Farney Close, ensuring the school operates efficiently and effectively.
As a key senior leadership team member, the Business Manager will actively contribute to strategic planning while maintaining a steadfast focus on compliance and optimising resources.
Responsibilities encompass financial leadership, including managing budgets, forecasts and financial compliance to ensure stability and effective resource allocation.
The role also involves leading HR, IT and administrative teams to uphold high standards in recruitment, training and overall support.
Our new Business Manager will strategically lead the development and upkeep of the school’s extensive grounds and facilities, ensuring they meet safety and operational standards and continue to provide our learners with world-class learning facilities.
Working collaboratively with senior colleagues, they will implement development plans and policies aligned with the school’s ethos.
Our new Business Manager will also oversee governance and compliance — ensuring adherence to charity, education and financial regulations.
This is an opportunity to lead operational excellence and support Farney Close’s mission to transform young lives.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a professional who can bring a blend of financial expertise, operational acumen and proven ability to rolling out a strategic vision.
The ideal candidate will have a track record of excellence in managing finance, HR and operations. You will be able to oversee complex systems while remaining detail-oriented and hands-on.
Being an effective leader in this role will be essential as you will guide diverse teams across multiple functions, including finance, HR, IT and facilities, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and ethos.
You will possess exceptional communication skills, enabling you to collaborate effectively with colleagues, external partners and trustees — and will need the ability to build strong relationships, inspire confidence and drive positive change across the organisation.
You should also be adept at working with ICT systems and financial data, using these tools to inform decision-making and drive efficiency and innovation.
We are looking for someone with a proactive mindset who can approach challenges with creativity and resilience. Experience in the charity or education sectors and knowledge of charity accounting and governance would be highly beneficial.
A forward-thinking attitude, combined with the ability to inspire and motivate teams, will ensure that you are not only able to meet today’s operational needs but also contribute to the long-term growth and success of Farney Close.
If you are a results-driven, strategic thinker who can balance big-picture planning with robust operational leadership, we want to hear from you.
This is a unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of young people, shaping the infrastructure and operations that support their success.
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