JOB PROFILE
What Is a School Business Manager?
IN THIS JOB PROFILE
You Will Learn.
- What does a School Business Manager do?
- What are the responsibilities of a School Business Manager?
- What qualifications do you need to be a School Business Manager?
- What is the average salary of a School Business Manager?
- Who employs School Business Managers?
- What are the progression opportunities for a School Business Manager?
- What makes a good School Business Manager?
- Where are the latest School Business Manager jobs and how to apply for them?
What Does a School Business Manager Do?
As a senior member of non-teaching staff within an educational institution, the role of a School Business Manager involves overseeing financial and administrative aspects of the school, such as budgets, procurement processes, and even HR tasks.
What Are the Responsibilities of a School Business Manager?
School Business Managers are responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of educational settings such as primary and secondary schools, as well as envisaging the bigger picture, forecasting finances, and building strategies to maintain and improve the school as a whole.
The main responsibilities of a School Business Manager include:
- Overseeing the school’s finances.
- Forecasting income and expenditure of the school’s budget.
- Advising the Headteacher and governors on financial policy.
- Completing administrative tasks.
- Overseeing the school’s procurement of supplies and their costs.
- Assisting with HR tasks.
- Ensuring the maintenance and safety of the school’s facilities.
- Ensuring the school is compliant with legal and safeguarding requirements.
Collaborating With Others
Working closely with different levels of teaching staff within a school, such as the Headteacher, Teachers, and Teaching Assistants, School Business Managers work to ensure fellow members of teaching staff are able to deliver a fulfilling education to students.
Financial Responsibilities
Some of the main financial duties of a School Business Manager include forecasting income and expenditure, monitoring financial performance, and making strategic decisions to ensure that the school’s resources are used efficiently and are acquired within set budgets.
Legal Responsibilities & HR Tasks
As well as maintaining the school’s facilities and ensuring they are legally compliant with requirements and regulations, School Business Managers also provide support for HR-related tasks, such as recruitment and training, and for important administrative duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a School Business Manager?
To become a School Business Manager you will need a strong background in finance, business management, or similar, where you have developed a core foundation of financial management principles. Relevant work experience, particularly in an educational setting can be highly beneficial.
Professional qualifications, such as those offered by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) or the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), can be particularly valuable as they are designed specifically to formally develop the careers of non-teaching staff in schools and equip them with the operational skills required to be a successful School Business Manager.
What Is the Average Salary of a School Business Manager?
The salary of a School Business Manager is around £25,000 to £45,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on several factors such as the location, level of experience, and the type of school.
Who Employs a School Business Manager?
A School Business Manager in the UK can be employed in a variety of educational settings, such as primary schools, secondary schools, academies, free schools, and independent schools. They may also be employed by multi-academy trusts or local education authorities.
The role of a School Business Manager is increasingly important, particularly in the context of changing government policies and financial pressures on schools.
As such, School Business Managers are in high demand, and there are a range of career opportunities available across the education sector.
What Are the Progression Opportunities for a School Business Manager?
There are many progression opportunities for a School Business Manager, from linear paths such as moving to a large educational institution with a bigger budget to switching from the education sector completely and using your skills to work for a healthcare organisation or local authority.
You could also become a Financial Manager, within an educational institution, or perhaps in another industry such as retail or for a nonprofit.
What Makes a Good School Business Manager?
Key skills of a School Business Manager include:
- Organisation skills.
- Excellent communication.
- Effective time management.
- A general understanding of school legalities.
- Proficient in maths.
- Strategic thinking.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Effective leadership.
- Analytical skills.
Organisation & Communication Skills
A successful School Business Manager must possess strong organisational and time management skills to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritise urgent tasks. Collaborating with and supporting different members of teaching staff is an essential part of the role, and so candidates must demonstrate an ability to work and communicate well with others as well as excellent leadership skills.
Proficiency in Maths & Problem-Solving
Mathematical proficiency is essential for overseeing school finances, and a strategic mindset helps pinpoint school improvement areas. Resolving day-to-day challenges requires adept problem-solving whilst knowledge of HR and the legal requirements an educational institution must adhere to are extremely favourable.
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