Bursar

The Bursar plays a pivotal leadership role within Milbourne Lodge School, providing high‑level strategic, financial and operational management to ensure the school functions efficiently, safely and in alignment with its values and vision. Working closely with the Head and the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to the school’s long‑term direction, support its continuous improvement, and uphold high standards across all non‑academic operations.

You will oversee the full breadth of bursarial functions, including finance, budgeting, payroll, estates, IT, catering, administration, health and safety, regulatory compliance, admissions and marketing oversight, and contract and supplier management. As a key member of the leadership team, you will maintain strong relationships across the school community—parents, colleagues, external partners—and model professionalism and integrity at all times.

The role also includes line management responsibilities, acting as the Performance Management reviewer for identified staff, and deputising for the Head and Deputy Heads when required. You will ensure the school remains fully compliant with all regulatory requirements (excluding academic, pastoral and safeguarding), lead all health and safety processes, and coordinate fire and lockdown procedures.

This is a highly influential and varied leadership role requiring strategic vision, operational excellence, financial expertise and the ability to manage complex processes with accuracy and calm. The Bursar is central in ensuring the school runs smoothly, safely and effectively so that pupils and staff can thrive.

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deliver clear, accurate communication face‑to‑face, in writing and by phone
• Strong leadership presence and ability to work proactively with limited supervision
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to balance costs and benefits
• Able to plan, prioritise and manage a complex and varied workload
• Competent across key applications:
  Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Successful track record of leading multidisciplinary teams with commercial and operational priorities
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Customer service expertise, including managing queries and complaints
• Experience in property or facility management
• Mindset of continual improvement, quality and service excellence

• Operational qualifications (e.g. health and safety or safeguarding accreditations)

• Demonstrable success leading multi‑disciplinary teams
• Experience working across multiple sites and stakeholders
• Experience with in a school, school group, or complex organisation

Blenheim Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.