Finance and Commercial Manager

Overview

The Finance and Commercial Manager will play a key role in supporting the financial operations and commercial development of St Bees School. Reporting to the Finance Director, the role requires a hardworking, proactive and highly organised individual with strong attention to detail, capable of balancing operational responsibilities with longer-term process improvement and development work. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across the school, helping to ensure efficient financial management, strong administrative standards and continued support for the school’s growth and development. The role combines finance, operations and commercial responsibilities and would suit an individual who enjoys being actively involved in the day-to-day life of a busy and growing school environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Day-to-day management of the finance function, including financial records, banking, payroll oversight, VAT, cash resources and financial compliance.

• Management and oversight of accounting processes, including bank reconciliations, accounting journals, deferred income, debtors, creditors and sales ledger activities.

• Monitoring cash flow, forecasting and assisting with short and mediumterm financial planning. Preparation of management accounts, financial reports, forecasts and supporting information for the Finance Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board. 

• Assisting with the preparation, monitoring and management of departmental budgets and annual budget planning.

• Management of school fee billing, payment plans, bursaries and the monitoring and chasing of outstanding invoices and debts.

• Supporting the maintenance of accurate and robust financial records, ensuring data integrity across Sage and other school systems.

• Liaison with auditors, accountants, banks, insurers and statutory bodies as required.

• Management of purchasing processes, supplier relationships, contract renewals and payment authorisation procedures.

• Supporting the annual audit process and year-end financial procedures.

• Driving the commercial development of the school, including the financial oversight and coordination of lettings, events, camps and external partnerships.

• Leading the planning, coordination and on-the-ground delivery of school commercial activities, including summer camps, immersion programmes, lettings and external events.

• Acting as a key operational point of contact for external organisations, camp providers, community groups and commercial partners using the school site.

• Assisting with the day-to-day operational management of commercial events and programmes, ensuring high standards of organisation, communication and customer experience.

• Working flexibly during key commercial periods, particularly across summer programmes and major school events, to support the successful running of activities on site.

• Supporting the financial and operational management of school events, commercial hires and community activities.

• Helping to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, revenue generation and cost savings across the school.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaison with teaching and operational staff to support resource requests, purchasing and budget management.

• Supporting budget holders in monitoring and managing departmental expenditure.

• Assisting the Headmaster, Finance Director and Senior Leadership Team with ad hoc financial analysis, reporting and operational information requests.

• Providing financial and administrative support for school events, immersion programmes, commercial activities and external partnerships.

• Supporting the development and improvement of financial systems, procedures and reporting processes as the school continues to grow.

• Maintaining positive professional relationships with parents, suppliers, contractors and external organisations.

• Assisting with wider operational and administrative tasks where required in support of the school’s development.

• Undertaking any other duties reasonably requested by the Headmaster or Finance Director. 

Start date: Late May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Personal attributes

•A hardworking, organised and proactive individual with strong attention to detail.
•Experience working within a finance, commercial or business management role.
•Experience of managing financial processes and maintaining accurate financial records.
•Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
•Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
•High levels of integrity, professionalism and discretion.
•A positive and flexible approach, with a willingness to support the wider life and development of the school.
•Strong IT and administrative skills, including confidence using financial and management information systems.
•Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and appropriately.
•Experience of working within a school or educational environment would be advantageous.
•Experience of supporting commercial activities, lettings, events or external partnerships would be advantageous.

Salary & Benefits

Salary from £ to £ per

Location

St Bees School
St Bees School, Wood Lane
St Bees
Cumbria
CA27 0DS

Supporting documents

• Job Description - Finance Manager.pdf
• Application-Form.pdf

How to apply

Your application form should contain contact details for three referees who may be contacted at any time during the recruitment process. Please indicate the context of each referee and their involvement with the candidate should be given.
All applications should be made on the School’s application form. CVs should not be included. No supporting letter is required or expected since the application form specifies all required content. This information will be treated confidentially.
Should the right candidate be found, the school reserves the right to close applications earlier than the given deadline.
Completed application forms should be emailed to: Jiamin.Zhang@stbeesschool.co.uk

Equal opportunities

St Bees School is committed to Equal Opportunities and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory employment checks, references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.