About the Role
The Bursar plays a pivotal leadership role within Milbourne Lodge School, providing high‑level strategic, financial and operational management to ensure the school functions efficiently, safely and in alignment with its values and vision. Working closely with the Head and the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to the school’s long‑term direction, support its continuous improvement, and uphold high standards across all non‑academic operations.
You will oversee the full breadth of bursarial functions, including finance, budgeting, payroll, estates, IT, catering, administration, health and safety, regulatory compliance, admissions and marketing oversight, and contract and supplier management. As a key member of the leadership team, you will maintain strong relationships across the school community—parents, colleagues, external partners—and model professionalism and integrity at all times.
The role also includes line management responsibilities, acting as the Performance Management reviewer for identified staff, and deputising for the Head and Deputy Heads when required. You will ensure the school remains fully compliant with all regulatory requirements (excluding academic, pastoral and safeguarding), lead all health and safety processes, and coordinate fire and lockdown procedures.
This is a highly influential and varied leadership role requiring strategic vision, operational excellence, financial expertise and the ability to manage complex processes with accuracy and calm. The Bursar is central in ensuring the school runs smoothly, safely and effectively so that pupils and staff can thrive.
About the School
Located in stunning grounds near to Esher, we provide a private Pre-Prep and Prep school education for children aged between 4 and 13 years. At Milbourne Lodge we value every child, and create lasting memories, and our personalised focus and inspirational teaching is reflected in our outstanding academic results. We are united in a passion to maximise the potential and development of each child.
Who We Are Looking For
Essential Skills & Qualities
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to deliver clear, accurate communication face‑to‑face, in writing and by phone
- Strong leadership presence and ability to work proactively with limited supervision
- Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to balance costs and benefits
- Able to plan, prioritise and manage a complex and varied workload
- Competent across key applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Successful track record of leading multidisciplinary teams with commercial and operational priorities
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable Skills & Qualities
- Customer service expertise, including managing queries and complaints
- Experience in property or facility management
- Mindset of continual improvement, quality and service excellence
- Positive, solution‑focused and “can‑do” approach
Qualifications
Desirable:
- Degree‑level education
- Financial qualifications
- Operational qualifications (e.g. Health and safety or safeguarding accreditations)
Experience
Essential:
- Demonstrable success leading multi‑disciplinary teams
Desirable:
- Experience working across multiple sites and stakeholders
- Experience within a school, school group, or complex organisation
Blenheim Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.
Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.