School Business Manager
Independent Special Educational Needs School (UK)

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional School Business Manager to join our high-achieving, independent special needs school at an exciting stage of growth and development.

This role will suit a dynamic and experienced business professional with a kind heart, strong integrity, and a genuine passion for shaping the relational culture of a specialist educational environment. Our school combines high expectations with warmth, compassion and strong professional standards — and we are looking for someone who shares these values.

The Role

As School Business Manager, you will play a central and strategic role in ensuring that the school, including newly developing sites, remains organised, flourishing and procedurally safe. You will work closely with the Governance Team, Headteacher and senior leadership team, supporting both daily operations and long-term growth.

This is a pivotal position responsible for overseeing finance, compliance, HR processes, estates management, health and safety, and operational systems. You will ensure that robust procedures are in place, consistently followed, and aligned with independent school standards and regulatory requirements.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience as a School Business Manager or in a comparable senior operational/financial role within education

• A strong understanding of compliance, safeguarding procedures, and regulatory frameworks relevant to UK independent schools

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to bring clarity and structure to a developing, multi-site environment

• Flexibility and resilience, with a professional, solution-focused approach to new and evolving systems

• The ability to support and guide staff to ensure procedural safety and systems compliance

• A relational leadership style , balancing accountability with empathy and kindness

• An Undergraduate Law or Business Management Degree would be desirable

This role requires someone who can combine strategic oversight with hands-on operational excellence. As we continue to grow, flexibility and adaptability will be essential, alongside a calm, highly organised and professional attitude to establishing and embedding new systems.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a dedicated and values-driven staff team committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for pupils with special educational needs. This is an opportunity to help shape the operational foundation of a school that is ambitious, relational, and flourishing — ensuring that strong systems support exceptional education.

Emphott LLP is based within the Rotherfield Park Estate. It is a truly beautiful site with a really passionate and friendly team, centrally and within the school. We are looking for someone kind, organised and someone we know will belong in our wide and project connected community.  

If you are an experienced business professional who believes that strong organisation and compassionate leadership go hand in hand, we would love to hear from you.