School business managers are financial and administrative managers in schools; they are responsible for ensuring school resources and facilities are used efficiently.
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 school business manager 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 ICT systems, facilities and communications.
- Improving school policies and staff relationships.
- Improving school links to the local community.
