School Business Manager

Location: Reading, Berkshire

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £48,000 – £58,000 per annum (Depending on experience)

Setting: Secondary School

Role Overview

We are seeking an exceptional, highly motivated School Business Manager (SBM) to join the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) at a vibrant and successful secondary school in Reading.

As the School Business Manager, you will be the strategic lead for all non-teaching operations. You will hold ultimate accountability for the school’s financial health, human resources, health and safety compliance, estate management, and administrative functions. This is a pivotal role requiring a commercial mindset, strong financial acumen, and the ability to lead a diverse team of support staff in a fast-paced educational environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Strategy

• Act as the principal financial advisor to the Headteacher and Governing Body, preparing regular monitoring reports, forecasting, and long-term financial planning.

• Manage the school’s multi-million-pound budget, ensuring maximum value for money, robust internal controls, and full compliance with financial regulations.

• Oversee procurement, contract renewals, and service level agreements (SLAs) to optimize school spending.

• Identify and drive income-generation opportunities, including community lettings, bids, and grant applications.

Operations & Estate Management

• Line-manage the Site Manager / Facilities team to ensure the school premises are safe, secure, well-maintained, and prepared for daily teaching.

• Oversee the strategic delivery of major capital building projects, maintenance programs, and IT infrastructure upgrades.

• Ensure absolute statutory compliance across all aspects of Health & Safety, risk management, and fire safety.

Human Resources & Staff Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop the school's support staff teams, including administration, finance, facilities, and catering.

• Oversee the operational HR function, including recruitment processes, contract administration, performance management, and payroll verification.

• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) to ensure flawless safeguarding compliance.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure the school meets all legal and statutory obligations set out by the Department for Education (DfE) and local authorities.

• Attend and present at full Governing Body and sub-committee meetings, providing transparent operational and financial analysis.

Required Criteria

• Experience: Proven experience working as a School Business Manager, Operations Manager, or Senior Finance Lead (experience within a secondary school setting is highly desirable).

• Qualifications: A professional qualification in finance/accounting (e.g., CSBM, DSBM, CIPFA, CIMA, or ACCA) or a relevant degree in business administration.

• Skills: Strong leadership capability, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with school management information systems (such as SIMS, Arbor, or Bromcom) and financial software.

• Attributes: A strategic thinker who is resilient under pressure, adaptable, and deeply committed to supporting student outcomes through operational excellence.

What the School Offers

• A supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team.

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD).

• Generous local government pension scheme and staff wellbeing initiatives.

To Apply

If you are a visionary operational leader ready to make a significant impact on our school community, please submit your updated CV today.