Job Description
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School Business Manager
St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree
St Francis Catholic Primary School is a one-form entry primary school with a strong Catholic ethos in the centre of Braintree town. Our school is a warm and welcoming community where children are eager to learn and demonstrate excellent behaviour. Parental support is high, as evidenced in our latest Ofsted report.
We are proud to offer a clear and engaging curriculum, supported by a team of dedicated and experienced colleagues.
We are seeking an exceptional School Business Manager to join our leadership team. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a highly organised, proactive and committed professional to play a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of our school.
Key Responsibilities
As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will:
- Lead and manage the school's financial systems, including budget planning, monitoring expenditure, producing financial reports and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements
- Oversee premises and facilities management, including maintenance, health and safety, contracts and site development
- Manage personnel administration, including recruitment processes, payroll liaison, contracts and maintaining the Single Central Record
- Line manage and support the school front office team and deal with day to day requests from parents, the Local Authority and the Diocese
- Line manage support staff including administrative, catering, midday and site teams
- Oversee administrative systems and processes, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations across the school
- Manage service contracts, procurement and income generation opportunities
- Provide strategic advice to the Headteacher and Governors on all non-teaching matters
- Providing support to the Headteacher, managing correspondence, supporting meetings and handling confidential matters
- Contribute to the wider life and promotion of the school within the community
Requirements
- Proven experience in financial and administrative management, ideally within a school or similar setting
- Strong understanding of budgeting, financial reporting and compliance
- Experience of managing staff and leading teams effectively
- Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
- High level of ICT competence, including management information systems
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a leadership team
- Commitment to supporting and promoting the Catholic ethos of the school
Desirable Qualities
- Experience working in a school environment
- Knowledge of education policies, safeguarding and HR processes
- Experience of premises or contract management
- A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement
Salary
- Scale 8 (Band 4) or negotiable for an exceptional candidate
Why Work at St Francis Catholic Primary School?
- A warm, welcoming school community with strong values
- Children who are keen to learn and demonstrate excellent behaviour
- A supportive and collaborative staff team
- Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
- A role where you can make a real impact on the success of the school
If you are an enthusiastic, skilled and committed professional who shares our vision and values, we would love to hear from you. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed.
For further information, please contact the Headteacher via school office at admin@st-francis.essex.sch.uk or by telephone.
Visits to the school are strongly encouraged
Safeguarding Statement
St Francis Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical clearance and satisfactory references.
Information about the School
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A DBS check, medical clearance and references are required for appointment to this post.