St Helen's School - Business Director

Summary

St Helen’s School is seeking an exceptional Business Director to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the future success of one of the UK's leading independent girls’ schools.

Detail

Lead Operations. Shape Strategy. Make a Lasting Difference.

St Helen’s School is seeking an exceptional Business Director to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the future success of one of the UK's leading independent girls’ schools. With over 1,100 pupils aged 3–18, outstanding academic results, a thriving co-curricular programme and a beautiful 21-acre campus, St Helen’s offers an exciting opportunity for a commercially astute and strategically minded leader.

As the most senior non-academic leader in the School, you will work closely with the Head, Senior Leaders and Governors to drive financial sustainability, operational excellence and strategic development across all support services.

This is a high-profile executive leadership position with responsibility for:

• Financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and governance
• Estates management and major capital development projects
• IT and digital infrastructure
• Commercial operations, including St Helen’s Enterprises Ltd and sports centre revenues
• Risk management, compliance and health & safety
• Operational support services, including catering, facilities and transport
• Governance reporting and strategic advice to the Governing Board
• Leadership of multi-disciplinary non-teaching teams across the School

You will directly manage senior operational leaders including Finance, Estates, IT, Enterprises and Catering, fostering a culture of service excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading multi-disciplinary operational teams
• Strong financial, commercial and business management expertise
• Experience in estates, facilities and capital project management
• A track record of working with boards, trustees or governance bodies
• Expertise in risk management, compliance and organisational governance
• Experience of procurement, contract negotiation and supplier management
• Strong digital and technology leadership capabilities
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives

Independent school experience is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in applicants from complex commercial, charitable, higher education, healthcare, public sector or other relevant environments.

St Helen’s is a highly successful, academically selective independent girls’ school with an exceptional reputation for educational excellence. Located within easy reach of central London, the School offers:

• A supportive and ambitious community
• A key strategic leadership role with significant influence
• A well-established and financially successful organisation
• Outstanding facilities set within 21 acres of landscaped grounds
• The opportunity to contribute to the education and development of future generations of young women

Monday to Friday, year-round (52 weeks)

Closing Date: 9.00am, Thursday 6 August 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 12 August 2026

Applications will be reviewed throughout the advertising period and St Helen’s reserves the right to appoint before the closing date. Early application is therefore encouraged.

St Helen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including references from previous employers, right-to-work checks and an enhanced DBS check.

Documents

• St Helen’s School - Business Director Applicant Pack PDF Document