Business manager

[prancer1]

Hi everyone. I'm looking to apply for a business manager role at an independent school. It's full time. Does anyone do a similar role? Is it long hours?

I’ve also been looking at applying for this role. From what I can gather the roles are usually term time plus a few extra days and normally 8-4 or there abouts.

This one is full time - not term time only! I could do 9-5 but wondering if it's likely to be longer

i work for a multi academy trust and we have both primary and secondary school Business manager roles.

The BMs tell me it is full on role during term time, as essentially anything that isn't teaching related falls to the BM, but during term breaks it's much quieter, as many staff aren't around, so they use this time to play catch up and have a bit more down time.

Thank you for that. I know it's hard to say but when you say full on - do you think that means more than a 9-5 day? I have childcare constraints so cannot leave later than 5 so wondering if I should bother applying for the role. It's otherwise my perfect job!

Sorry I should add it's for a boys school that goes from age 3 - age 18. And it's an assistant business manager/director role reporting to the business manager/director.

When I looked into a similar role at a school it was indeed as @KelmenaBallerina says - about 8-4. They generally tend to need you in when the children and staff start school and so you end when they finish, or after.

You might be required to do extra work around OFSTED and other busy times but otherwise I'd say not a huge amount extra, the Head and leadership team should tell you that though.

Thank you everyone! A friend of mine commented that it's actually like the COO of a big business (huge school) so expecting work long hours which scared me.

I work in a large secondary as a member of support staff. The business manager is expected to do everything.

She is responsible for all HR, head of finance, manager for all technical support staff, health and safety lead ( remember schools hold chemicals and radioactives, so has legal responsibility for this)

Overall responsibility for caretakers and school upkeep, as well as managing the lettings of school buildings.

Ours also has to do duties ( playground and dinner hall) and does a couple of stints in the removal room ( naughty kid room)
When there is a governor meeting, which is typically after school 6pm she will be in attendance.

SLT meetings are always 5 pm till miminum 6 pm midweek each week.

All SLT are on a 365-day contact at our school. Ie in an emergency she could be required to work every day, even weekends, until over.

Oh and don't forget the caveat in every support staff contract. Any other duties as required.

She works hard, and I would say even though she gets a good wage, it has to be the hardest job in the school.

If you have worked in a school before and are going in with wide open eyes , go for it.

I agree with @spudnik1. It's an SLT role and apart from the head you are responsible for everything! If yours is an assistant role it may be different.

Apply anyway. If you're offered the role and they are unable to confirm the hours you need, then you can always turn it down.