School Business Manager - Lead, Inspire & Make an Impact...

Are you an experienced School Business Manager ready to take the next step in your career? We’re looking for a confident, commercially minded, and highly organised professional to play a key role in the successful running of a large secondary school in Preston, Lancashire.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working at the heart of a busy school environment, combining strong financial management with strategic planning, operational leadership, and people management. You’ll work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, helping create an efficient, safe, and well-managed environment where both staff and pupils can thrive.

If you’re a proactive leader who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems, and making a meaningful difference behind the scenes, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

The Role at a Glance

• Position: School Business Manager

• Setting: Large Secondary School

• Location: Preston, Lancashire

• Contract: Full-time, permanent

• Working Pattern: 52-week contract, 37 hours per week

• Start Date: ASAP or January, subject to agreement

• Salary: Leadership scale, dependent on experience, qualifications, and school size

• Systems: Experience with Access Education, PSF, SIMS, Arbor, or HFX would be advantageous

What Will You Be Doing?

As School Business Manager, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring the school’s business, financial, and operational functions run smoothly. You’ll balance strategic decision-making with hands-on management, supporting the school’s leadership team and helping deliver the best possible environment for the school community.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Financial Leadership: Manage budgets, financial planning, forecasting, expenditure, procurement, and audit preparation.

• Operational Management: Oversee essential non-teaching functions, including administration, premises, IT, and catering.

• Facilities & Compliance: Ensure the school site remains safe, secure, well-maintained, and compliant with relevant health and safety requirements.

• HR & Staff Support: Oversee HR administration, payroll processes, contracts, recruitment support, and staff-related procedures.

• Contracts & Suppliers: Manage external providers, negotiate contracts, monitor service delivery, and identify opportunities for improved value for money.

• Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to support effective decision-making and the school’s long-term objectives.

• Resource Management: Help ensure school resources are used efficiently, supporting both day-to-day operations and future development.

What We're Looking For

We’re keen to hear from experienced School Business Managers who can bring confidence, initiative, and strong commercial awareness to a large secondary school environment.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in school business management or a comparable senior operational role, ideally within a secondary school or large educational setting.

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• A solid understanding of school operations, HR procedures, procurement, and health and safety compliance.

• Excellent leadership and organisational abilities, with experience managing teams and competing priorities.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work alongside senior leaders and external stakeholders.

• A relevant professional qualification, such as the Diploma or Certificate in School Business Management (DSBM/CSBM), or an equivalent qualification in finance, HR, or business administration.

• An enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or a willingness to obtain one.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is your chance to take on a rewarding, influential role where your expertise will have a genuine impact on the day-to-day running and future success of a large secondary school.

You'll have the opportunity to use your leadership skills, contribute to important operational decisions, and help create the strong foundations that allow teachers to teach and pupils to succeed.

If you're ready for a role that combines responsibility, variety, and the opportunity to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

How to Apply

Interested in finding out more? Send us your CV today to be considered for this School Business Manager opportunity in Preston, Lancashire. We look forward to hearing from experienced professionals who are ready to make their next move!