School Business Manager | Islington | January 2026

Are you a strategic and hands-on School Business Manager ready to take ownership of finance, HR and premises from January 2026? Do you want to work in a busy, community-focused school in Islington where operational excellence supports teaching and learning?

Wayman Education is recruiting a School Business Manager for a thriving primary school in Islington. The School Business Manager will lead budget-setting, monthly management accounts, payroll oversight and contracts management. This School Business Manager post starts January 2026, with a structured handover and induction arranged before January 2026 so the new School Business Manager can be fully operational and support financial planning for the spring term.

Position details

• Role: School Business Manager — Islington
• Start date: January 2026
• Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

About the role
The School Business Manager will prepare management accounts, lead on procurement, oversee payroll and pensions administration, and manage premises and health & safety compliance. The School Business Manager will work closely with the headteacher and governors to produce timely financial reports, support audits and drive value-for-money decisions across the school. In Islington, the School Business Manager will also take a lead role on contracts for catering, cleaning and site services and will help plan capital and maintenance works.

Key responsibilities

• Lead annual budget development and produce monthly management accounts and variance reports.
• Oversee payroll processes, pensions administration and staff-record accuracy.
• Manage procurement, supplier relationships and contract performance to secure best-value arrangements.
• Ensure premises, health & safety and compliance checks are robust and recorded.
• Provide clear financial advice to governors and senior leaders to support strategic planning across Islington.

Person specification

• Proven experience in school business management, finance leadership or equivalent operational role, with demonstrable impact.
• Strong financial skills, confident with accounting systems and spreadsheet modelling.
• Experienced in payroll, contract procurement and premises oversight; able to liaise with external stakeholders in Islington.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills; available to begin January 2026 and to attend handover sessions prior to January 2026.

To be considered for this School Business Manager position, please forward a CV as soon as possible.