Service Business Manager
Location: R.E.A.L Independent Schools Mansfield & Alternative Provision.
Salary: £57,500 per annum


Are you an experienced leader who thrives on making services run smoothly, efficiently and with purpose? Do you want to play a key role in creating an environment where children and young adults can achieve their full potential? If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
At R.E.A.L Education we work with children and young people aged 7 to 19, providing creative education solutions to those who may be "lost to learning" or "hard to place" and we create a continuum of excellence in education that extends beyond the school gate, offering personalised pathways for those who may struggle in a mainstream setting.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Service Business Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team. In this pivotal role, you will lead, manage and develop our support service teams—including Finance, Administration, HR, Facilities & Site Maintenance, ICT, and Health & Safety.
You will ensure that our environment is safe, healthy, clean and welcoming, and that all support functions operate efficiently, economically and in line with our business aims. As stated in the job description, you will act with a "high degree of autonomy including responsibility and accountability for managing delegated budgets and resources" while driving continual improvement across all service areas.
Key Responsibilities
*Lead and manage multiple support service teams, ensuring high performance and clear direction.
*Oversee financial management, including budgeting, monitoring expenditure and reporting variances.
*Ensure administrative systems are efficient, compliant and forward-thinking.
*Work closely with central MIS & ICT teams to ensure technology is fit for purpose and staff are supported.
*Oversee local HR processes, ensuring safer recruitment and compliance with legislation.
*Manage facilities, site maintenance and outsourced contracts to ensure safety, security and value for money.
*Act as Health & Safety Coordinator and Fire Officer, ensuring policies, risk assessments and monitoring systems are robust and up to date.
*Contribute to strategic planning as part of the Senior Leadership Team and participate in senior on-call cover.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
We are looking for someone with:
*Experience leading multiple teams across several functions.
*Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation and monitoring.
*Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
*Knowledge of safeguarding, health & safety, regulatory frameworks and safer recruitment.
*The ability to assess situations, solve problems and make autonomous decisions.
*Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
*A relevant management or professional qualification (desirable).
Additional Requirements
The role involves some lone working, travel, physical tasks and requires the ability to drive. You will also be part of the senior on-call rota for emergencies.
How to apply?
Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details. If you need any assistance or would like any more information please contact Karen in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.