For: School Business Manager
Start date: May 2026
Salary: Band K 49-51 (£61,888-£64,562 FTE) |
In this role, the post holder will be responsible to the Headteacher Actual annual salary: £61,888 - £64,562 FTE (subject to annual pay review) Hours: 37 (will consider 30) Working weeks: 52 Further details about the school can be found on the school website: www.poolegrammar.com The responsibilities of the postholder will include the following areas: |
Health, safety and safeguarding |
The post holder must: - fully abide by the school’s safeguarding policy;
- fully abide by the staff Code of Conduct and any applicable Health & Safety, cyber-security and risk management policies.
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Main job purpose: |
- The School Business Manager holds a key post of senior responsibility within the school. Reporting directly to the Head, they are responsible for ensuring all financial and non-teaching aspects of the school run efficiently and effectively. The Business Manager is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and is expected to contribute significantly to the continuous improvement of the School’s services.
- Actively manage school finances to ensure that the school remains a going concern, maintains appropriate cashflow and maintains reserves at agreed levels.
- Responsible for providing professional leadership and management of school finance, premises and other support staff, to enhance their effectiveness in order to achieve improved standards of learning and achievement in the school.
- To promote the highest standards of business ethos within the administrative function of the school and strategically ensure the most effective use of resources in support of the school’s objectives.
- The School Business Manager is responsible for the Financial Resource Management (including budget setting)/ Administration Management / Human Resources/Library/Marketing/ Facility & Property Management / Health & Safety Management of the school.
- To ensure that the school meets its legal requirements and statutory obligations as an Academy, Limited Company and a Charity; including the Trading Subsidiary.
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Leadership and Strategy: |
The post holder must: - Attend Senior Leadership Team and appropriate Governors’ committee meetings.
- Negotiate and influence strategic decision making within the school’s Senior Leadership Team, with particular focus financial planning and financial sustainability.
- In the absence of the Headteacher / Deputy Headteachers, take delegated responsibility for financial and buildings/premises decisions, including Health and Safety.
- Plan and manage change in accordance with the School’s long term strategic aims and the annual School Development Plan.
- To lead and manage finance, premises, catering, administrative, library, marketing and HR school support staff.
- To be Company Secretary. To be a Director of the Trading Subsidiary
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Financial Resource Management |
The post holder must: - Lead and advise on the overall financial planning process.
- Evaluate information and advise the Senior Leadership Team and Governors to prepare a realistic and balanced budget.
- Produces the school budget, involving discussion and agreement with the Headteacher, SLT and Resource Governors committee.
- Use the agreed budget to actively monitor and control performance to achieve value for money. Use external benchmarking to help achieve value for money.
- Identify and inform the Headteacher and Governors of the causes of any significant variance and take prompt corrective action.
- Provide monthly management reporting including separate entities; cashflow; forecast; balance sheet and fund reporting,
- Produce monthly forecasting with revisions to the budget, if necessary, in response to significant or unforeseen developments.
- Provide ongoing budgetary information to relevant people.
- Prepare monthly cash – flow forecasts to ensure that the school cash position is consistent with its obligations.
- Advise the Headteacher and Governors if fraudulent activities are suspected or uncovered.
- Maintain a strategic financial plan that will indicate the trends and requirements of the school development plan and will forecast future year budgets.
- Identify additional finance required to fund the school’s proposed activities.
- Seek and make use of specialist financial expertise.
- Assist and supervise other staff in the operation of the school’s financial system.
- Provide training and support for all staff with budget holder responsibilities in order to promote effective financial management and best value for money.
- Maximise income through lettings and other activities.
- To recommend to the Finance Committee types of investments which are appropriate for the school, ensuring full compliance with the appropriate use of public funds and taking no financial risks.
- Present timely and fully costed proposals, recommendations or bids.
- Monitor all accounting procedures and ensure that processes are aligned to the finance manual and SORP and other finance rules and regulations.
- Put formal finance agreements in place with suitable providers for agreed amounts, at agreed times and appropriate agreed costs and repayment schedules.
- Establish and monitor service level agreements (e.g. utilities & insurances) and contracts and oversee their delivery and value for money.
- Monitor the effectiveness and implementation of agreements. Prepare all financial returns to the DfE and other relevant agencies within statutory deadlines.
- Prepare the annual accounts and lead in the preparation of the Annual Report working with the Governing Body. Meet with and work with the appointed auditors to ensure that the financial systems are both effective and efficient.
- Ensure all relevant documentation is filed at Companies House to meet statutory deadlines.
- Oversee the management of the school payroll system and ensure full reconciliation.
- To act as the main account holder for bank accounts, charge cards and business account cards including on-line access. Act as joint signatory on all relevant bank and building society accounts; charge cards.
- To oversee the maintenance and operation PS Financials, cashless catering and Parent Pay, the school’s computerised accounting systems.
- Lead the interface with the school’s auditors, both internal and external, to meet the statutory requirements and tight deadlines. Execute any actions and recommendations identified by the school’s auditors.
- In conjunction with the Catering Manager, to negotiate and manage hot meal agreements with local schools to sustain and develop the school’s Trading Subsidiary.
- To compile the annual Old Grammarians Trust accounts, gain approval from auditors and submit to Charities commission.
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Facility and Property Management |
- Ensure the supervision of planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with contractual obligations.
- Ensure the safe maintenance and security operation of all school premises.
- Manage the maintenance of the school site including the purchase and repair of all furniture and fittings.
- Ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment.
- Follow sound practices in estate management and grounds maintenance.
- Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services.
- Ensure a safe environment for the stakeholders of the school to provide a secure environment in which due learning processes can be provided.
- Ensure ancillary services e.g. catering, cleaning, etc, are monitored and managed effectively.
- Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations, for the development of the extended services and local community requirements including use of the new Sports Centre.
- Seek professional advice on insurance and VAT and advise the SLT on appropriate insurances for the school and implement and manage such schemes accordingly.
- Manage the rolling 5-year site development plan, ensuring costs are included within budgets
- To investigate and pursue the availability of grants in support of sustainable energy resources and plant.
- To investigate and pursue all Capital Funding grants available for the improvement of school facilities.
- Maintain regular tree inspections and action any findings. Ensure all dangerous trees or branches are removed.
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Health and Safety |
