Business Manager - Crestwood Community School

Job Introduction

We are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and proactive School Business Manager to join the Crestwood Community School Family. As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, this role is pivotal in driving the school's long-term vision, ensuring the operational business model aligns with and directly supports our strategic objectives and continuous improvement journey. Crestwood Community School is a single school with two campuses at the heart of the Eastleigh community.

As our strategic financial and business leader, you will be accountable for:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Overseeing the comprehensive financial planning, setting long-term budgets, and providing insightful reporting for a budget in excess of £12m. This

includes preparing management accounts, financial forecasts, and statements to support strategic decision-making.

• Resource Maximisation & Income Generation: Leading the development and execution of income generation strategies, actively investigating new opportunities, and ensuring

effective applications for relevant LA and DfE grants, alongside the submission of all Government returns.

• Compliance and Governance: Ensuring rigorous compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including serving as the school's Data Protection Officer, and advising the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body on strategic financial and operational matters.

• Operational Management Oversight: Providing strategic direction and oversight for the core support functions of HR, Site/Premises, Catering, and IT, managing a dedicated Support Staff Leadership team composed of three Bursars and Catering Manager.

• Strategic Development: Playing a central role in the strategic development of the school to ensure efficient, effective non-teaching operations that allow teaching and learning to flourish.

The ideal candidate will possess substantive experience in business management, leadership, and strategic planning, preferably within a school setting, although comprehensive training and strong support from the Senior Leadership Team, Governors, and staff will be provided. You will be an adept people manager with strong interpersonal skills, capable of influencing and engaging colleagues at all levels to implement school-wide strategic changes. Strong organisational skills, the ability to manage complex, concurrent strategic projects, and resilience under pressure are essential. Your passion for improving the life chances of our students and families, 36% of whom receive free school meals, is critical, as is a commitment to the cohesive ethos of the #Crestwoodfamily.

We are committed to staff well-being and offer:

• Wellbeing weeks (no commitments scheduled after school)

• Free daily lunch

• Half termly cooked breakfasts

• One wellbeing day per year (during term-time, after a qualifying period)

• Weekly thank you bulletin

• Birthday cards

• Heads discretionary leaves of absence for family events

• Acts of random kindness

• Access to mental health first aiders

As a new member of staff, you will benefit from a comprehensive induction process and a professional coach to guide your journey in the role. You will join a close-knit team that values open debate and supportive working practices. Your commitment to raising standards, excellence for all learners, and contributing to the community’s wellbeing is fundamental to this role.

Your application is a chance to outline your strategic experience, your reasons for being interested in this leadership post, and how you will directly contribute to and lead on Crestwood's improvement journey. It is essential that your application addresses the specific strategic issues and unique context of Crestwood Community School.

Pre-scheduled tours can be booked by emailing justine.sayers@crestwood.hants.sch.uk. We cannot make personal appointments due to operational needs.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.