Overview
The King’s School seeks an outstanding Bursar to join the Senior Leadership Team in January 2026 or earlier. This is a pivotal, high-profile role, offering an exceptional opportunity for a financially astute and strategically minded individual to shape the School’s next chapter. The Bursar provides the essential complement to the Headmaster’s leadership, ensuring the School thrives academically and operationally. The role collaborates closely with the Headmaster and Governing Body to operate efficiently as a modern educational enterprise while sustaining the highest standards of teaching, learning, and pastoral care. The position is wide-ranging and dynamic, overseeing finance, estates, operations, HR, compliance, health and safety, and commercial activities. The Bursar leads a diverse team and plays a key role in major capital projects, long-term strategic planning, and developing opportunities to support the School’s mission and facilities. The successful candidate will be a proven senior leader with strong commercial and financial acumen, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead complex projects with clarity and impact. An accounting qualification is not essential, but the ability to interpret, manage, and communicate financial information is vital. Candidates may come from education, the independent or maintained sectors, or from the wider commercial, charitable, or public spheres. Above all, they will identify with the ethos and values of King’s as a Cathedral School and share the ambition to help the School thrive for generations to come.
Key Responsibilities
As a central figure of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, the Bursar undertakes a broad range of duties relating to Strategy, Leadership and Management, Financial Management, Estates Management, Operations, Human Resources and Commercial Activities. For full details, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack.
Financial fluency and operational oversight are essential, but true effectiveness lies in strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to influence and lead across education, governance, and operations. Resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are vital in a role that is demanding and politically sensitive. The Bursar must be visible and engaged in the daily life of the School, fostering strong relationships across staff, pupils, parents, and the wider community. The Bursar must balance technical competence with the capacity to apply nuance, navigate complexity, and act as the critical link between the School’s strategy, culture, and daily operations.
Qualifications and Experience:
* Educated to degree level (or equivalent)
* A professional qualification in finance, business, or accounting (desirable but not essential)
* A proven track record of senior leadership, ideally within a comparable organisational structure
* Demonstrable experience of managing complex budgets and financial frameworks
* Experience of working within regulatory and compliance frameworks
* Proven ability to lead and develop successful multi-disciplinary teams
Skills and Knowledge:
* Strong strategic capability with experience of guiding organisational change
* Robust financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to assess, present, and manage risk
* Sound knowledge of the disciplines within the postholder's remit (finance, estates, HR, operations, and commercial activities)
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence, resolve conflict, and build effective relationships across all areas of the School
* A clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, with a strong commitment to best practice
* A visible and engaged leader who contributes actively to the Senior Leadership Team while also working independently when required
* Strong organisational skills, with attention to detail, adherence to deadlines, and awareness of the legal and regulatory frameworks impacting schools
* Dedicated, empathetic, and resilient, with a good sense of humour
* Alignment with the School’s ethos and sensitivity to the unique context of running an independent school
* A personal commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion
Applications
Applications should be made through TES or by submitting a completed school Application Form and covering letter (addressed to The Headmaster) to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required. Closing date for applications is Tuesday 23 September at 12:00 noon, with initial online interviews commencing on Thursday 25 September. Interviews at School will follow in due course and are expected to be in two stages, concluding by 8 October. For further information or to arrange a visit to the School, please contact Mr. Harry Fuller on 01452 337337, or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.
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