School Business and Operations Manager

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and highly organised School Business & Operations Manager who will play a key role in supporting the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school's strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• School business management experience, ideally within a school or educational setting, with strong knowledge of financial management, budgeting, procurement, HR, premises and operational compliance.

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced school environment, manage competing priorities, delegate effectively and consistently meet deadlines.

• A proactive, efficient and tenacious approach, taking initiative, anticipating challenges, solving problems and seeing tasks through to completion.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, accountability and consistently high standards across all areas of responsibility.

• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including the ability to negotiate confidently, influence effectively, secure best value for money and maximise school resources.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building positive working relationships with staff, governors, families, contractors and external agencies.

• Effective leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to motivate, support and hold teams accountable for delivering high-quality services.

• Strategic thinking and a commitment to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, embrace technology and improve operational efficiency.

• Sound judgement, discretion and resilience, with the confidence to make decisions, manage sensitive information and respond effectively to unexpected challenges.

• A thorough understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and statutory compliance, with a commitment to maintaining a safe, well-managed school environment.

• A collaborative and dependable approach, providing high-quality strategic and practical support to the Headteacher and wider Senior Leadership Team.

• A genuine commitment to inclusion and children's outcomes, ensuring that pupils' safety, wellbeing and educational opportunities remain at the heart of every decision.

Above all, we are looking for someone who takes ownership, gets things done and shares our ambition to provide the very best for our children. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, solution-focused and excited by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Stanhope Primary School, including our anticipated Department for Education new building project.