School Business Manager - Chiltern Wood School

Buckinghamshire Council; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in High Wycombe is seeking a School Business Manager to oversee financial management, health and safety, and HR functions. The ideal candidate will bring leadership experience and the ability to work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body to ensure effective school operations. Responsibilities include advising on resources and ensuring compliance, contributing to the well-being and success of over 200 students. The position offers a permanent contract with 37 hours of work per week over 42 weeks.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a leadership and/or management position within an educational setting.
• Knowledge of financial management and HR processes.
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the strategy and operation of financial and HR functions.
• Ensure compliance with legal and safety regulations.
• Advise on day-to-day school operations.

Skills

Leadership experience

Financial management

HR management

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

School Business Manager - Chiltern Wood School

Location: High Wycombe

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, 42 weeks per year (39 weeks + 3 weeks)

Location: Chiltern Wood School – Multi Site (Cressex , Downley, Studley Green)

Responsible to: Headteacher & Governors

Responsible for: HR, Finance, Admin and Facilities Staff

Closing date: 8 th January 2026

Interviews: 13 th January 2026

About us

Chiltern Wood School is a Special School currently supporting over 200 students ranging from ages 3 to 19 years. We are based across three sites in the High Wycombe area.

We are actively recruiting a School Business Manager (SBM) to join our team.

The SBM is responsible for managing the strategy and operation of the business functions of our school, including financial management, health and safety, human resources, compliance and administration.

For further information please see attached Job description.

About you

The successful candidate will advise on and implement the day-to-day resources that enables the school to operate effectively and efficiently, and that allows other members of the leadership team to focus on teaching and learning.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a leadership and/or management position, preferably within a school or educational setting. In addition, would have knowledge of both financial, including recovery planning and HR management to support the school.

This role will work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team as well as the Governing Body and will therefore have strong communication and interpersonal skills, to ensure that they are able to work effectively with all key stakeholders.

For further information please see attached Person specification.

Other information

For more information in respect of the job role, please refer to the School’s website for a full job description and application form.

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications

Chiltern Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory, Enhanced DBS, qualifications and reference checks.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.