Business and Finance Manager - The Southwater Junior Academy

About Us

Southwater Junior Academy is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Business and Finance Manager to lead our highly effective Office, Premises and Finance teams. You will be responsible for setting strategic direction, whilst delivering against day\-to\-day academy operations. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong financial acumen and senior level management experience, across a diverse range of education services. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are further qualities required to work across our dynamic academy team.

Southwater Junior Academy is a Good school (Ofsted 2023\) that prides itself against three values of hard work, resilience and kindness, underpinned by ensuring every child is equipped with the skills for life\-long learning. This ethos extends to everyone who works at the academy too.

Job Details Salary: Negotiable depending on experience

Contract Type: Full time, permanent, 52 weeks per year. We would consider a term time contract plus 5 weeks for suitably experienced candidates.

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Location: Southwater Junior Academy

Interviews: Week commencing 13/07/2026 or sooner

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting To: Headteacher

• Responsible for effective and efficient management of academy finances including all aspects of budget setting and monitoring, monthly Management Accounts, procurement, cash flow, VAT and invoicing.


• Responsible for effective management of Premises, HR and wrap around care in accordance with legislation and academy policies and procedures.


• Ensure full compliance of the Financial Standards in line with current legislation and the requirements of the Academy Handbook, DfE, Companies House, Charities Commission, HM Revenue and Customs, Pension providers and other organisations as required.


• Provide strategic guidance, leadership and management of the academy’s finances, advising the Headteacher and Trustee Body on all financial matters.


• Manage the day to day accounting procedures and recording of all financial transactions accurately on the academy’s finance system.


• Deliver audits across the business are completed in a professional and timely manner


• Ensure financial reporting to the headteacher, trustees and accountants are delivered accurately and on time.


• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the academy.


• Undertake continuous development and training to maintain the competencies required for the post.


• Operate in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health and Safety at Works Act, KCSIE and other relevant legislation as well as Academy and Trustee Body policies.


• Support the academy’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in school.


• Ensure policies and procedures meet the need of the academy whilst compliant with government and legal requirements.


• Actively contribute to the development of quality improvement programmes across the Academy.


• Deliver against additional duties appropriate to the post, as directed by the Headteacher and Trustees.

Further Information

The Southwater Junior Academy and West Sussex County Council 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 an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

To apply for this role please download the job description and application form below.

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).

Once complete please return this to jobs@southwaterja.co.uk

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to contact us at jobs@southwaterja.co.uk

NOTE TO CANDIDATES \- Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.

Job Reference: SCHO02765

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