We are looking for a proactive, skilled and people‑focused School Business Lead to provide strategic leadership across our business and administrative functions. Working closely with the Headteacher and Governing Body, you will be responsible for the effective management of the school’s finances, premises, administration, HR processes and support services. This is a senior support role requiring strong leadership, financial acumen and the ability to balance strategic oversight with hands‑on operational delivery in a busy school environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys improving systems, and is passionate about ensuring that every aspect of school support contributes to excellent outcomes for children.

About Us:

St Mary’s CE VA Primary Academy is a nurturing, child‑centred school where the ethos “Do everything in love” shapes everyday practice. The school provides a warm, welcoming environment supported by highly motivated staff who create awe‑inspiring learning spaces and deliver a broad, rich curriculum designed to inspire, challenge, and celebrate every child’s individuality. 

Pupils benefit from a caring culture where wellbeing, kindness, and respect are central. Enquiry‑led learning helps children recognise the value of their voice, develop leadership skills, and build positive mental health, contributing to a safe, inclusive community where pupils thrive personally and academically.

About the Role

As our School Business Lead, you will take responsibility for the effective and efficient running of the school office and business functions. You’ll work closely with the Headteacher and SLT to drive high‑quality administration, financial planning, personnel processes, and operational support across the school.

You’ll lead an enthusiastic administrative team, ensuring our office delivers a welcoming, professional and highly organised service for staff, pupils, parents, governors and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage the school’s administrative and premises teams, ensuring high standards of performance, motivation and professional development.
• Review, develop and implement efficient systems and procedures to support the smooth day‑to‑day running of the school.
• Contribute to whole‑school priorities and the School Improvement Plan, promoting the school’s values and ethos at all times.

Finance & Resources

• Compile the annual school budget on behalf of the Headteacher and monitor expenditure against agreed plans.
• Maintain accurate financial records, process orders and invoices, and ensure compliance with all financial regulations and audit requirements.
• Identify budget variances and provide clear financial reports to the Headteacher and Governing Body, including attendance at governing body meetings.
• Secure best value for money through effective procurement and contract management.

Human Resources & Compliance

• Manage recruitment processes for administrative and premises staff, including safer recruitment and pre‑employment checks.
• Maintain accurate personnel records, including payroll notifications, sickness absence, training and staff variations.
• Ensure the Single Central Record is accurate and fully compliant.

Premises, Health & Safety

• Oversee the maintenance, security and cleaning of the school site, liaising with contractors and site staff as required.
• Manage statutory compliance including legionella, asbestos and health & safety requirements.
• Ensure timely completion of returns and documentation required by the local authority, DfE and external agencies.

Systems, Policies & Data

• Lead on the management of the school’s Management Information System (SIMS) and associated administrative and financial IT systems.
• Update and review policies and risk assessments within the remit of the role.
• Ensure the security and integrity of school data and equipment.

About You

You will be an experienced manager with strong organisational, financial and people‑management skills, ideally gained within an education or similarly complex public‑sector environment.

Essential:

• Proven experience managing staff and overseeing finance, administration and/or premises functions.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with experience of budgeting and financial monitoring.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with pupils, parents, staff, governors and external partners.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work flexibly.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and continuous professional development.
• Working towards or have administrative, financial or accounting qualifications equivalent to national qualifications level 6, or Advanced Diploma of School Business Management
• Management experience involving varied activities across a range of functions including administration, finance and HR

 Desirable:

• Experience working in a school or education setting.
• Knowledge of Arbor and/or other education‑based systems.
• Responsibility for generating income, including grant applications and facilities management
• Develop, implement and monitor school policies and procedures
• Analytical, judgemental and creative skills required to interpret varied and complex information 

 What we are looking for:

 Application Details

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact the school office or Sarah Hewitt at business.manager@stmarysprimarykettering.co.uk

Early application is advised, as we may interview and appoint before the closing date.

St Mary’s CE VA Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks to ensure their suitability for safeguarding children. Shortlisted candidates will have online searches carried out prior to interview.

Appointments are excluded from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Applications must declare any convictions which for other purposes are “Spent” and in the event of employment, failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the school.  Applicants must provide the information requested on a questionnaire sent at the time of short-listing and understand that the provisionally selected candidate for such posts will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure at the appropriate level.  Any information will be treated confidentially.