School Business Manager

School Business Manager
Salary: Dependent on Experience
Contract Type: Permanent, All Year Round (52 Weeks), Full Time
Start Date: Subject To Notice Period
Reports to: Headteacher
Location: St Mary's Catholic High School, Woburn Road, Croydon, CR9 2EE, London Borough of Croydon

We are looking to appoint a School Business Manager at St Mary's Catholic High School. This is a particularly exciting time to join the school as the SBM, as we implement a vision of improvement across a range of operational areas.

St. Mary's Catholic High School is a small and growing secondary school delivering high-quality Catholic education in the centre of Croydon. At a time of rapid change in our town centre, and with significant developments in the provision of Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Southwark this is an exciting time to join our OFSTED good school, which is consistently one of the highest achieving schools in Croydon. Our commitment is reflected in our outstanding Progress 8 score for 2024, which places us in the top 5 schools for Croydon. We take pride in our school's dedication to supporting disadvantaged pupils and fostering social mobility. Our staff are passionately committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

The ideal candidate for this rewarding and enjoyable position will lead all aspects of our work to support education; you will develop and manage the team of business professionals who facilitate the delivery of high-quality Catholic education for young people through effective support to teaching and other staff. You will develop our facilities to generate commercial income, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for staff and students. Key projects include introducing a new MIS, improving banking and finance systems, implementing a large-scale network and IT project, and enhancing premises, including a new sports MUGA. With our strong financial position, you have the opportunity to elevate St Mary's, leveraging its central location and solid academic foundation.

Inspiring students to do their best, and we take pride in bringing this vision to life every day through our commitment and passion. You do not need to be a practicing Catholic to apply.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged, please contact Francisca at the details below to arrange. Excited to find out more about our school? Please see our Welcome Video here.

Benefits of working at St Mary's Catholic High School:
Ranked 5th place out of all schools in in Croydon for progress.
Excellent travel links with Central London and South London: 5 min walk from West Croydon (Southern Railway, Windrush Line - Overground, Tram and Bus) and 7 min walk from East Croydon (Thameslink, Southern Railway, Southeastern Railway, Gatwick Express, Tram and Bus).
Great location close to excellent shopping and local amenities
A collaborative approach and positive relationships
Strong strategic leadership
Support from managers and colleagues.
Equality of opportunities for staff
Appreciation of staff achievement and contribution.
Induction of new staff and ongoing development for ECT.
Students' respect for staff and others
Support for career progression
Links with St Mary's University for professional development (10 members of staff have either completed or progressing on the MA in Catholic School Leadership)
Access to on-site car and bicycle parking facilities for all members of staff
Generous local authority pension scheme for support staff
Our staff are deeply committed to promoting social mobility, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.

Your New Role:
To provide professional leadership in all aspects of business support across the school, developing and leading the team of professionals who facilitate the delivery of high-quality Catholic education for young people through effective support to teaching and educational support staff
To provide strategic leadership and operational direction to the management of finance, HR, facilities and estates, IT, catering and administration services of the school, promoting the highest standards of business and effective use of resources
To be a member of the senior leadership team
To provide professional support, advice, and guidance to the Headteacher, SLT and governors where applicable, on all financial processes and administrative practices in accordance with school policies including finance, human resources, health & safety, and the management of the site
As full time SBM on a 52-week contract rather than term time only you will be expected to be in the school during term time, but there is a degree of flexibility in terms of hybrid working during school holiday periods as well as a degree of flexibility as to when you might take leave

How To Apply:
To apply, you are required to complete our school application form. Please request an application pack from Francisca at or call her on (phone number removed) for more information. You can also click apply now to register your interest, we will then send you the forms.

Your application is a direct permanent application to our school (not through agency), Hays is our recruitment partner for all permanent appointments.

Closing Date: Immediate, no later than 12 noon Friday 17th October 2025. Please note early applications are encouraged and will be considered as they are received.
Interview Date: Week Commencing Monday 20th October 2025

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. St Mary's Catholic High School reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated deadline.

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