A school business manager (SBM) is a member of staff who helps to ensure the smooth and successful running of a school. SBMs support headteachers in dealing with the leadership, managerial and administrative duties that confront them.
Staff who fulfil the role may have a number of job titles other than school business manager, including bursar, finance officer and senior administration officer.
As a school business manager you will utilise your specialist skills to manage school finances and resources and bring a business dimension to strategic planning in your school.
The duties you undertake will depend on the specific needs of your school and you could have the opportunity to take on a diverse and wide range of responsibilities. Discover the benefits of school business managers (PDF, 840KB) is a booklet which provides a full, modular job description.
Financial management is a major part of the job and financial responsibilities can include:
- Managing and monitoring budgets and salaries
- Managing resources and finding ways to reduce costs
- Securing funds such as grants, gifts and other donations
- Ordering goods and services and managing contract services (such as catering)
- Buying and managing insurance
- Developing sponsorship links
Every SBM role varies depending on the needs of the individual school, but other functions can include:
- Managing human resources, including recruiting and managing school support staff and managing employment contracts and related legal issues
- Managing and maintaining school property and maximising income from letting school premises
- Managing security and health and safety on school premises and implementing risk assessment and loss-prevention strategies
- Managing the school's administrative systems and improving information and communication technology (ICT) systems, facilities and communications
- Improving school policies and staff relationships
- Improving school links to the local community
A key role in remodelling
In 2003 the Secretary of State, employers and schools workforce unions signed a national agreement, designed to help schools raise standards and tackle workload issues. The agreement enables heads and teachers to focus on teaching and learning by having effectively trained support staff both in and out of the classroom.
School busines managers play a significant role in these remodelling reforms. They can use their expertise to lead on the strategic management of resources, enabling heads and senior teachers to concentrate on curriculum development and leading teaching and learning.
The school business manager role is a special one, in that they are 'support staff' who are also 'leaders'. They support teaching and learning by ensuring the effective use of all school resources. They also have an important 'senior leadership' role, with responsibilities that include strategic planning and risk management.
There is no 'one size fits all' SBM role; for example, smaller schools may join together to employ a 'shared bursar' working to share good practice. 'Discover the benefits of school business managers' (PDF, 840KB) features SBM case study examples of primary, secondary and shared arrangements.
The Schools Recruitment Service provides a quick and easy way for you to apply for permanent SBM vacancies. It takes the hassle out of applying for jobs by putting the whole application process online, from receiving alerts and applying to managing recruitment communications and arranging interview times.
Register with the Schools Recruitment Service to set up a personal account and create a talent profile.