School Business Manager

Job Description

The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.

School Business Manager

Location: Two specialist school sites across Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire EastContract: 12-month Fixed Term ContractHours: 40 hours per weekSalary: £52,000 - £55,000 per annum

Overview

We are recruiting an experienced School Business Manager to work across two specialist education settings supporting children and young people aged 5-19 with Autism and complex needs.

One setting is an Outstanding-rated provision, while the second is a recently opened specialist school that has already achieved Outstanding outcomes for Behaviour & Attitudes and Personal Development at its most recent inspection.

This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across both schools.

The Role

As School Business Manager, you will lead all non-teaching operations across both sites, ensuring services operate efficiently, compliantly, and in line with strategic priorities. Each school has established administration teams who will work under your management and guidance.

Areas of responsibility include:

• Finance
• Human Resources
• Administration
• Facilities & Estates
• ICT
• Health & Safety
• Housekeeping & Catering

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead strategic and operational planning, manage budgets with full accountability (including EBITDA), ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across both schools.

About You

You will be a confident and experienced business leader, ideally from an education or regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Proven leadership experience across multiple operational functions
• Strong financial and budget management skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance requirements
• An understanding of education funding and inspection frameworks
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills
• The ability to work autonomously across multiple sites

Desirable:

• A recognised management or finance qualification
• Experience overseeing HR processes and procedures

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact across two high-performing specialist schools, supporting passionate teams and helping create safe, effective environments where young people can thrive.

Please note, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Reed Education is deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults. xwzovoh We are proud to be a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.