School Business Manager - Outstanding Secondary School -...

school business manager – outstanding secondary school – Harrow

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

School Information

This Outstanding 11–18 secondary school in Harrow is renowned for its exceptional academic standards, strong leadership, and highly cohesive professional culture. The school serves a diverse and ambitious community and is recognised for its warm, welcoming ethos where both students and staff thrive. Students demonstrate exemplary conduct, strong motivation, and a deep respect for learning. As a result, classrooms are focused, orderly, and full of purposeful energy.

The school benefits from modern facilities, a forward-thinking senior leadership team, and a well-established reputation for excellence within the borough. Staff wellbeing is a central priority, and the school invests in efficient operational systems, clear communication channels, and high-quality administrative support. As the school continues to grow and expand its provision, strong business leadership is essential to sustaining long-term success.

The school’s business functions are central to maintaining financial stability, operational reliability, and effective resource management. The School Business Manager plays a key strategic role, supporting the Headteacher, Governors, and senior leaders in ensuring the school remains financially sound, compliant with regulations, and well-prepared for future development.

The Role

The school is seeking an experienced, exceptionally organised, and forward-thinking School Business Manager to join its leadership team. This is a strategic and operational post that involves overseeing finance, HR, estates, health and safety, contracts, procurement, and compliance. You will play a critical role in ensuring that all non-teaching operations run smoothly and align with the school’s ethos, priorities, and growth plans.

The successful candidate will provide financial oversight, produce management reports, lead on budget planning, and ensure that all financial activity is accurate, compliant, and supports whole-school improvement. You will also be responsible for managing administrative and support teams, overseeing premises and site management, and ensuring that safeguarding and health and safety requirements are consistently met.

This is a role for someone who can combine strong business acumen with excellent communication, leadership, and strategic thinking. You will work closely with the Headteacher and Governors, contributing to high-level decision-making and ensuring that the school remains financially robust and operationally efficient at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and producing management accounts
• Managing contracts, procurement, and tendering processes with transparency and value for money
• Overseeing HR functions, including recruitment processes, compliance, and staff record maintenance
• Leading the administrative, premises, and support teams
• Ensuring the school remains compliant with statutory regulations, including GDPR, financial standards, and internal audit requirements
• Managing payroll, pensions, and financial transactions with accuracy and efficiency
• Overseeing site operations, maintenance schedules, and health and safety procedures
• Managing school lettings and additional income streams
• Supporting strategic planning and contributing to long-term development priorities
• Preparing reports for Governors and attending relevant meetings
• Ensuring efficient use of resources that support teaching and learning

Person Specification

• Strong experience in school business management or a comparable financial/operational leadership role
• Professional business/finance qualifications (AAT, CIPFA, CSBM, DSBM, or equivalent desirable)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Strong financial, analytical, and numerical expertise
• Understanding of school operational frameworks, HR processes, and regulatory compliance
• Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on management
• High levels of organisation, accuracy, and reliability
• Commitment to safeguarding and maintaining professional standards

Application

To apply, please send your CV as soon as possible.