Business manager

Overview

Position: Academy Business Manager

Start Date: 5 January 2026

Daily Rate (DOE & payroll provider): £175-£214.21

Essential

• Accounting qualification OR business/finance management qualification OR NVQ 3/equivalent (e.g., ILM First Line Management) OR relevant experience
• GCSE Maths & English (C or above/equivalent)

Desirable

• NVQ 4/equivalent (e.g., ILM Skills for Middle Leaders)

Essential

• Excellent numeracy/literacy
• Effective ICT and equipment use
• Knowledge of relevant policies/codes/legislation
• Strong ICT skills:
  Word, Excel, Outlook; data manipulation
• Ability to manage payroll systems (e.g., Payroll Provider)

Desirable

• Experience using finance systems (e.g., Access Finance)

Essential

• Finance work in a school/academy
• Finance/HR support in education
• Understanding SCR requirements
• Knowledge of DBS/safeguarding employment checks
• Health & Safety experience in a school/academy

• Excellent keyboard skills/high-volume data input

• Relate well to children/adults
• Effective team working; awareness of school roles/responsibilities
• Ability to self-evaluate and seek development

Provide leadership of school financial and administrative operations, supporting organisation, procurement, compliance, H&S, HR, audits and strategic planning. Requires relevant qualification (or working towards), academy finance experience, budget monitoring, and strong IT/supervisory skills. Must build effective relationships and meet strict deadlines.

• Oversee invoices, income and financial procedures
• Provide financial planning to Headteacher/SLT/governors
• Manage bi-monthly payroll
• Ensure financial systems, school fund and regulatory compliance
• Lead budget setting/monitoring and provide detailed analysis
• Manage cash collection, banking and investment recommendations
• Interpret financial regulations and advise staff
• Manage internal/external audits and produce reports
• Attend governing body/committee meetings
• Lead administrative functions/systems
• Support facilities, H&S, procurement and compliance
• Liaise with accountants, payroll and auditors

• Coordinate recruitment, adverts and documentation
• Maintain the SCR
• Complete DBS checks and ensure safeguarding compliance
• Manage HR records, data and confidentiality

• Manage manual/computerised records
• Analyse/evaluate data and produce reports
• Undertake complex IT/word-processing tasks
• Provide administrative/organisational support
• Administer procedures and support service systems
• Complete/submit external forms (e.g., ESFA)

• Operate equipment/ICT packages
• Manage stock, cataloguing and audits
• Provide advice/guidance to staff/pupils/others
• Research to support decisions
• Assist with money handling for school activities
• Manage facilities administration and support budget monitoring

• Comply with safeguarding, H&S, security, confidentiality and data protection
• Promote equality and school ethos
• Work with external agencies
• Attend meetings/training/performance development
• Support others using own expertise
• Other duties as directed by the Headteacher

• Employees: supervise staff
• Financial: access confidential data
• Physical: effective use of resources
• Clients: provide information; manage complex reception issues

• Office-based; term-time + 2 weeks

• Right to work in the UK
• Evidence of essential qualifications
• Two references
• Medical fitness
• Applicable professional registrations
• DBS safeguarding check