Business Manager and Finance Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The School Business Manager supports the Principal in the delivery of strong financial sustainability and accountability. This includes preparing financial reports, management of external audit and all day-to-day finance and operational activities. The position forms part of the schools executive team providing strategic and operational insights for all the business and non-teaching functions of the schools to ensure our school achieves its education objectives.

You will manage the delivery of a range of corporate services and support educational management activities including but not limited to finance, administration, human resources, facilities, contacts, legal compliance, WHS, Supervision of ELC and OHSC and IT.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The School Business Manager role is two fold with the below Key Responsibilities:

Finance Manager

• Oversee bank and direct debit/deduction fi le reconciliations, ensuring all accounts are correctly balanced and discrepancies resolved promptly.
• Monitor and report on budget versus actual performance, investigate variances, and provide actionable insights to senior management and boards.
• Prepare and lodge BAS returns to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), ensuring compliance with GST and tax legislation and preparing supporting documentation.
• Manage payroll end to end, including contract preparation, onboarding employees into systems, timesheet verification, processing payments, leave (LSL) calculations, level adjustments, and maintaining Single Touch Payroll (STP) and pay slip compliance.
• Conduct payroll reconciliation and ensure superannuation compliance, including managing contributions and end-of-period reconciliation.
• Resolve employee queries related to payroll, statements of service, employment levels, and other contract-related issues as per EBA.
• Develop and prepare annual budgets, facilitate departmental involvement, and oversee ongoing budget system management and controls.
• Oversee employee and vendor contracts, including reviewing, updating, and managing worker compensation policies and vendor relationships.
• Maintain and reconcile asset management systems, capitalisation of assets, and ensure accurate tracking of acquisitions and disposals.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions, staff reimbursements, vendor payments, and ensure efficient accounts payable processes.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly and annual financials for presentation at board meetings, facilitate audit processes with auditor, and manage statutory reporting for profit centres (ELC, OSHC).
• Support school operations through additional roles, including credit card reconciliations, end of month (EOM) and end of year activities, fee statements, BGA applications, ACNC registration, market value comparisons, ACARA validations, policy development, disability and voucher reconciliation, cost research and front-end audit support.
• Any other responsibilities given by the principal.

Business Manager

• School Administration: Managing administrative systems in schools including but not limited to the enrolment process, reporting on various matters to CEO such as census, annual reports, surveys, marketing activities etc. and assisting Principals as required.
• Human Resources: Managing school support staff, overseeing payroll, and recruitment, contracts and management of general HR administration
• Facilities and ICT: Managing the school's facilities, grounds, and information technology resources . Procurement and Contract Management Overseeing contracts and managing contractor relationships.
• Compliance and Governance: Managing the organisational approach to risk management, compliance and occupational health and safety to ensure the organisation is compliant. Ensuring compliance with legislation, departmental policies, and funding requirements, and providing governance reporting.
• Strategic Planning: Contributing to the school's strategic planning, developing financial strategies, and implementing business plans.
• Stakeholder Management: Liaising with departmental officers, community representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure effective corporate services.
• Early Learning Centres, Outside School Hours’ Care and Canteen: Overseeing operational business management of our trading centres.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Financial Acumen: Strong knowledge of accounting practices, financial planning, and reporting.
• Leadership and Management: Ability to lead and support staff effectively, and manage multiple areas of responsibility.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to contribute to the school's strategic vision and implement plans to achieve objectives.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are vital for interacting with staff, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: High levels of accuracy in financial and administrative tasks.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: The ability to proactively solve problems, make quick decisions, and handle challenging conversations calmly is necessary.
• Emotional Intelligence: Empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to handle sensitive situations and emotional situations are important for building trust and supporting the school environment.
• Teamwork: A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a school leadership team are expected
• Flexibility & Adaptability: The role requires flexibility to adapt to changing situations and to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Project Management: Managing multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong time management and attention to detail, is a key aspect of the role.
• Human Resources: Managing staff, including payroll and potentially HR functions, and supporting staff needs are important areas of responsibility.
• Organizing & Planning: Excellent organizational skills, alongside the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver timely results, are necessary.

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA

• Membership of a professional Accounting Body (or partially complete) . Tertiary qualification in business or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in financial and accounting operations.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated conceptual and analytical skills to operate in an environment managing confidential sensitive information.
• An understanding of and commitment to the ethos of Catholic education.
• NT Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card).

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Experience in a school environment

Workplace Health and Safety

It is the employee’s responsibility to:

• Perform work at all times in a safe manner and comply with all workplace safety standards, policies and procedures.
• Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and not place others at risk by any act or omission.
• Actively engage in the consultation process and take part in WHS risk management programs to improve safety.
• Adhere to workplace health and safety legislation, policies and procedures and Sharers of the Vision.

Why Work with Us?

• Discounted school fees for children attending Catholic Education NT schools
• Access to learning, development and leadership opportunities within the school and Catholic Education NT
• Novated leasing options
• Employee rewards program with savings and discounts at 450+ retailers

Interested applicants are invited to make initial enquiries by contacting Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School 08 8984 700

APPLY NOW.

Applications close: 28 August 2026
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School reserves the right to close this advertisement early or extend it beyond the closing date.

Commencement date: Negotiable

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter addressing their suitability for the role, together with a current resume and the contact details of three recent professional referees to Principal Andrew Walter at [email protected]