School Business Manager - Private Sen School

• School Business Manager

• Full-Time, Permanent

• Private SEN School

• Maidenhead, Berkshire

A well-established private SEN school in Maidenhead is seeking an experienced, organised and proactive School Business Manager to join its leadership and administrative team.

This is an important role within the school, supporting the effective day-to-day running of the organisation and ensuring that financial, operational, administrative and compliance functions are managed to a high standard.

The successful candidate will be a confident and practical professional who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on management. You will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, helping to ensure the school operates efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the needs, safety and wellbeing of its pupils.

As School Business Manager, you will take responsibility for a broad range of business and operational functions across the school.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the school's day-to-day business, financial and administrative operations.

• Supporting the Headteacher and leadership team with strategic planning and school improvement.

• Preparing and monitoring budgets, financial forecasts and management information.

• Overseeing income, expenditure, purchasing, invoicing, payroll and financial reporting.

• Maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring appropriate financial controls are in place.

• Monitoring expenditure against budgets and providing advice to budget holders.

• Liaising with accountants, auditors, suppliers and external professional advisers.

• Managing procurement processes and negotiating with suppliers where appropriate.

• Overseeing contracts, service agreements and supplier relationships.

• Supporting the effective management of the school's premises, facilities and resources.

• Coordinating maintenance, repairs, cleaning, security and other site-related services.

• Supporting health and safety compliance and ensuring relevant checks and records are maintained.

• Managing administrative systems and ensuring school records are accurate and up to date.

• Supporting recruitment, HR administration and staff-related processes where required.

• Ensuring appropriate policies, procedures and operational documentation are maintained.

• Supporting the school with regulatory, compliance and inspection requirements.

• Working collaboratively with the Headteacher, governors, staff and external stakeholders.

Working within a specialist SEN setting, the successful candidate will understand that effective business management plays an important role in creating a safe, supportive and well-resourced environment for pupils.

You will help ensure that the school has the resources, systems and facilities needed to support children and young people with a range of additional needs.

The role requires a professional who can work sensitively with staff, families and external professionals while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and high standards of service.

The successful candidate will be an experienced business, finance or operations professional who is confident managing multiple areas of responsibility.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a School Business Manager, Business Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Manager or similar role.

• Experience managing budgets, financial processes and business administration.

• Strong financial awareness and excellent attention to detail.

• Experience preparing financial reports, forecasts and management information.

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.

• Experience managing suppliers, contractors and external service providers.

• The ability to…