School Business Manager

This is not just a School Business Manager role. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a school where every decision ultimately impacts the lives of children and young people with additional needs.

At City of Rochester School, we believe that outstanding education is built on strong foundations. We are looking for an exceptional School Business Manager who shares that belief and is ready to lead our business operations with vision, integrity and ambition.

You will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping to ensure that our resources, people and systems enable the very best outcomes for our pupils. As School Business Manager, you will lead a talented support services team, including the IT Manager, Premises Manager and a small team of finance and administrative staff. You will provide clear strategic direction, ensuring that every aspect of the school's operations contributes to a safe, efficient and high-performing environment where pupils and staff can flourish.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and operational leader who wants to make a genuine difference in a specialist setting where relationships, inclusion and aspiration are at the heart of everything we do.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the business functions of the school. You will:

• Lead and manage the school's finance, HR, premises, health and safety, compliance and administrative functions
• Provide strategic financial leadership to support sustainable school improvement
• Work closely with the Headteacher and Trustees on budget planning, financial forecasting and resource management
• Ensure robust systems and processes that support effective day‑to‑day operations
• Lead, manage and develop the school's support services, including the IT Manager, Premises Manager and finance and administrative teams
• Provide effective line management, coaching and professional development for operational leaders and support staff
• Oversee contracts, procurement and value‑for‑money initiatives
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and independent school standards
• Contribute to the strategic leadership and development of the school

You will play a central role in ensuring that the school operates effectively, efficiently and sustainably. Through your leadership of finance, administration, IT and premises functions, you will create the conditions that allow staff to focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional outcomes for pupils.

• An experienced business leader with strong financial and operational expertise
• An experienced people leader with a track record of managing and developing teams
• A strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture whilst maintaining attention to detail
• An effective leader who can inspire, support and develop others
• Highly organised, proactive and solution‑focused
• Committed to inclusion and the values of specialist education
• A skilled communicator who can build positive relationships with staff, trustees, parents and external partners
• Resilient, adaptable and able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment
• Passionate about making a difference to the lives of children and young people

Experience with in education is desirable, but we welcome applications from candidates with transferable leadership and business management experience from other sectors. The post is full-time across 52 weeks a year.