School Business Manager

Money & Pensions Service; Bolton; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution located in Bolton seeks a motivated School Business Manager to oversee financial management, HR, and administration functions. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and experience in school business management. Responsibilities include compliance oversight, managing recruitment efforts, and implementing operational strategies. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £39,862 to £45,091 and benefits such as generous annual leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

26 days of Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

Dedicated wellness day

Access to CPD and training opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in school business management or a similar leadership role.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Knowledge of HR practices, health & safety regulations, and compliance requirements in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and payroll processes.
• Ensure risk assessments, training, and statutory checks are completed.

Skills

Financial management

HR practices

Health & safety regulations

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Job description

School Business Manager

Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 31 Jan 2026

Job Reference: 4758289

School Business Manager Job Available at Secondary School in Bolton

Are you an experienced and strategic leader with a passion for operational excellence in education? A large Secondary School in Bolton are seeking a highly motivated School Business Manager (SBM) to join their team on a permanent basis and play a pivotal role in managing the business functions of the school. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact by ensuring the school runs efficiently and effectively, allowing their leadership team to focus on teaching and learning.

Location: Bolton, BL3
Salary: £39,862 – £45,091 DOE
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: Full time, full year round
Start Date: ASAP

As School Business Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Leading on finance, HR, health & safety, compliance, and administration across the school.
• Managing and developing support teams, including site, admin, finance, and IT staff.
• Advising senior leaders on strategic decisions and implementing operational plans aligned with the school’s vision and improvement priorities.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and Trust policies.
• Driving efficiency and value for money through effective resource planning and procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Management: Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting; ensure compliance with DfE and Trust requirements.
• Human Resources: Manage recruitment, onboarding, payroll processes, absence tracking, and staff development in line with employment law.
• Health & Safety & Compliance: Act as Health & Safety Officer; ensure risk assessments, training, and statutory checks are completed.
• Administration & Data Protection: Maintain accurate records, act as Data Protection Officer, and ensure GDPR compliance.
• Leadership: Line manage support staff, lead on operational strategy, and contribute to whole-school improvement planning.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in school business management or a similar leadership role.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Knowledge of HR practices, health & safety regulations, and compliance requirements in an educational setting.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and develop multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in a secondary school or UTC setting.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach and commitment to staff wellbeing.

Benefits

• Be part of a forward-thinking Trust committed to excellence and inclusion.
• 26 days of Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service)
• Work in a collaborative environment where your expertise makes a difference.
• Benefit from a dedicated wellness day and additional day of leave to support your work-life balance.
• Access to excellent CPD, training, and development opportunities to enhance your career.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and Eye-Care Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or forward your CV directly to Amy on [e-mail]

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Contact: Amy Rowley

Office: 4th Floor, City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza