School Business Manager - Academics : Job Details

School Business Manager, St. Albans, Hertfordshire (Part-Time, 3 days/week from Sept/Oct 2025)

We're seeking a dedicated and dynamic School Business Manager to join a welcoming two-form entry primary school. This part-time role forms a vital part of our admin team, reporting directly to the Headteacher and supporting the school's mission through efficient, strategic business operations.

About the Role

• Serve as a senior, professional member of the school staff, supporting continuous improvement through expert management of finance, HR, health and safety, and administrative functions.
• Attend termly Governors' meetings, typically held in the evening, providing crucial strategic and financial insights and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Senior Management
• Co-lead all aspects of financial planning, budget setting, forecasting, and monitoring, ensuring decisions align with the school's strategic priorities.
• Provide timely, clear financial advice to the Headteacher and Governors including identifying overspends or potential savings and optimising resource use.
• Line-manage key support staff teams (e.g. admin and premises), overseeing recruitment, performance reviews, training, and overall development.
• Advise SLT and mitigate operational risks, contributing meaningfully to strategic decision-making.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations: processing invoices, maintaining bank accounts, managing income generation (e.g. lettings, fundraising), and maintaining asset registers.
• Lead procurement and capital projects: tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiating deals, and ensuring value for money.
• Oversee audits, grant applications, insurance arrangements, and statutory financial reporting.

HR & Administration

• Oversee personnel administration, including maintaining accurate records, managing DBS checks, new staff onboarding, payroll coordination, and liaising with HR advisors.
• Support recruitment, develop job descriptions, perform staff appraisals, and manage staff performance.
• Ensure secure, compliant record-keeping in line with data protection and school policies.
• Health, Safety & Estates Management
• Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations, maintain relevant policies, deliver training, coordinate audits, and manage site safety proactively.
• Oversee site maintenance, facility management, outsourced services (cleaning, catering), and schedule and monitor maintenance and repairs.

ICT, Compliance & Governance

• Contribute to the school's ICT strategy, ensuring value for money and security, including maintaining licenses and ensuring safe use of systems.

• Support governance through preparing reports for governors, providing administrative support, and ensuring compliance with policy schedules and data protection (GDPR).

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience in a senior business management or similar role; school experience preferred-but transferable skills welcomed.
• Strong financial acumen: budget setting, monitoring, reporting, and strategic planning.
• Track record in managing support teams, HR administration, and implementing good governance.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills-with the ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Knowledgeable in health and safety, compliance, and the ability to lead in those areas.

Why Apply?

• Join a vibrant, inclusive primary school committed to providing an outstanding learning environment.
• Play a pivotal role in helping the school thrive both operationally and strategically.
• Be valued among the senior leadership team and contribute meaningfully to school improvement.

The school and Academics are keen to meet and interview ASAP, please contact our Berkhamsted office and quote "SBM, St. Albans"