School Business Manager

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you a proactive school business professional who wants to make a real difference to a caring, community-focused primary school? We are seeking to appoint a School Business Manager to play a key strategic role within our school. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose in a warm, inclusive school where every pupil is respected and encouraged to achieve.

About our school

All Saints is a nurturing 1FE Voluntary Aided Church of England primary school in north Bishops Stortford, serving children aged 3–11. With 214 pupils on roll and a purpose-built nursery, we pride ourselves on high standards of academic and pastoral care. Our school community is diverse and inclusive — families from all faiths and none are warmly welcomed.

About the role

As School Business Manager you will provide strategic leadership and operational management across the school’s business functions, ensuring efficient and effective support for teaching and learning. You would work four days (32 hours) per week, term time plus two weeks. We would consider five days (37 hours) per week for the right candidate if preferred. Reporting to the Headteacher and working closely with governors and the SLT, your responsibilities will include:

•

Leading the school’s financial management

budget planning, monitoring and forecasting, producing regular reports, and ensuring compliance with statutory and audit requirements (including SFVS).

•

Overseeing HR administration

recruitment processes, Single Central Record maintenance, payroll liaison, staff records and CPD coordination.

• Managing premises, health & safety and statutory compliance: contractor management, risk registers, insurance and business continuity planning.
• Coordinating procurement, contracts, income generation and value-for-money initiatives.
• Line-managing office and premises staff and ensuring excellent day-to-day administrative systems.
• Supporting the school’s drive towards a balanced in-year budget and helping to align staffing and resources to pupil outcomes.

This post offers a high-impact, varied role where your work will directly influence pupil experience and school improvement.

About you (the ideal candidate)

We are seeking a confident, organised and collaborative professional who can lead business operations with integrity and vision.

You will be someone who

• Brings practical experience of school or public sector financial management and budget monitoring.
• Is skilled at analysing and presenting financial information clearly to senior leaders and governors.
• Demonstrates strong organisational and leadership abilities and can manage multiple priorities calmly.
• Has excellent ICT skills and familiarity with school systems (Arbour MIS and Finance desirable).
• Understands confidentiality and GDPR, and can lead on compliance and risk management.
• Is comfortable leading HR administration, safer recruitment and maintaining the Single Central Record.
• Shares our inclusive values and is committed to ensuring resources are used to support the best outcomes for every pupil.

An SBM qualification or equivalent experience is desirable but not essential for a candidate demonstrating strong, relevant experience.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and encourage diversity. All Saints CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils; appointment will be subject to satisfactory DBS checks and references.

We look forward to hearing how you can help us build on our vision of Nurture, Resilience and Achievement for All.

What the school offers its staff

• A friendly, inclusive school community with strong local links and enthusiastic children who are kind and respectful in their relationships.
• A supportive and caring staff and governor team who work together to bring joy and learning to our children.
• Opportunity to shape the school’s financial stability and operational systems with direct impact on teaching, learning and pupil wellbeing.
• Professional development and collaborative working with an experienced leadership team.
• A varied, senior role within a supportive governing body and committed staff team.

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.