School Business Manager & Director of Operations

Location: Havering, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent (37 hours per week, All-Year-Round)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP or January Start

An ambitious, highly regarded secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Havering is seeking a strategic, commercially sharp, and dynamic School Business Manager (SBM) to lead non-educational operations across financial strategy, site development, HR logistics, compliance, and enterprise. Sitting on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) alongside the Headteacher and Governors, this executive post is ideal for an experienced SBM, commercial operations manager, or senior finance professional looking to optimize school resources, secure financial sustainability, and elevate the operational infrastructure of a thriving East London educational environment.

About the Role

As the School Business Manager, you will serve as the strategic architect behind the school’s business functions. You will lead multidisciplinary support teams—including finance, site maintenance, IT support, catering, and administrative staff—ensuring that non-classroom operations run with precision, efficiency, and full statutory compliance. You will act as the principal advisor to the Headteacher and Governing Body on long-term fiscal health, capital expenditure projects, risk management, and commercial income generation, directly enabling educational staff to deliver outstanding student outcomes.

• Environment: A progressive Outer London secondary campus with extensive grounds, modern facilities, integrated management databases (e.g., SIMS/Arbor, Access Finance, FMS), and active community letting projects

• Culture: A collaborative, professional, and forward-thinking leadership setting that values fiscal stewardship, operational innovation, workplace safety, and continuous institutional growth

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Management: Drive multi-year financial forecasting, construct and monitor capitation budgets, oversee audit protocols, manage cash flow, and ensure strict alignment with the Academy Trust Handbook / Local Authority financial regulations.

• Facilities & Estate Strategy: Lead site development, capital building projects, facilities management, and health and safety compliance (COSHH, fire safety, statutory inspections), maintaining a secure, modern campus environment.

• Support Staff Leadership: Line manage non-teaching operational teams (Finance, HR, Facilities, IT, Administration, Catering), driving professional development, performance management, and service excellence across departments.

• Procurement & Commercial Enterprise: Oversee high-value tendering processes, negotiate supplier contracts to maximize value for money, and champion commercial revenue streams (e.g., facility hire, community partnerships, grant funding bids).

• Governance, HR & Compliance: Manage risk registers, ensure GDPR/data protection compliance, support the SLT on workforce planning and payroll oversight, and deliver comprehensive operational reporting to the Governing Body.

Requirements

• Professional qualification in School Business Management (DSBM/CSBM/Level 6 Diploma in SBM) or an equivalent professional credential in finance/business administration (ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACA, or Degree level).

• Substantial, successful leadership experience in business, finance, or operations management within an educational setting, local authority, or complex public/private sector organization.

• Comprehensive knowledge of school financial frameworks, statutory health and safety regulations, procurement law, and public sector employment practices.

• Proven track record of managing multi-million-pound budgets, leading capital works projects, and directing multi-disciplinary support teams.

• Exceptional strategic vision, negotiation skills, emotional intelligence, and executive communication presence.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Senior Support Staff / Leadership Pay Scale (commensurate with qualifications and executive experience).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), generous annual leave entitlement, executive CPD support (e.g., SLINK / ISBL networking), and access to staff health and wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are a strategic operational leader ready to shape the business direction and resource strategy of a dynamic secondary school in Havering, we encourage you to apply promptly. Please submit your completed application form and CV for consideration.