St Columba's College is currently seeking a new Bursar and Clerk to the Governors for an April 2026 start date (or earlier). This broad, varied and rewarding Bursar and Clerk to the Governors role will enable the successful candidate to play a meaningful, impactful role in the lives of young people.
The role will suit an experienced, financially literate leader with robust commercial acumen, proven project management experience and excellent interpersonal skills to manage a diverse range of operational teams and people. Above all, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate a strong affinity with the values and goals of the College as a thriving, happy, successful co‑educational independent school where its young are known, valued and treasured.
The Bursar plays a crucial, strategic leadership role within the College, and will be pivotal to the ongoing future success of the College. The Bursar leads and manages a wide range of business support services, including Finance, IT, Estates, Catering, Health & Safety, Compliance and Legal. The Bursar will work very closely with the Headmaster and the College Leadership Team, partnering on the strategy and commercial success of the school, leading and advocating for the operational and support teams to ensure that the school operates efficiently and effectively as a business, whilst supporting the Headmaster and the teaching colleagues to deliver the outstanding educational and pastoral provision of a Columban childhood.
The Bursar is line managed by the Headmaster on a day‑to‑day basis, but also reports as Clerk to the Chair of Governors and works closely with the Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and other members of the Board and the College Leadership Team.
Each day will be different and will often present new challenges and opportunities. The role as Bursar requires an ability to think and plan strategically for the long term whilst also being agile and ready to deal with the unexpected. Success in this role requires an open, curious and collaborative mindset, a resilient disposition, and an ability to stay calm and positive at all times.
Key professional attributes required are commercial nous and financial literacy, strong interpersonal skills and the charm and presence to lead and inspire others.
There is no prescribed route into a career as a school Bursar, but it is one of the most stimulating, rewarding and fulfilling roles for a career‑shifter keen to channel their acquired professional skills into a purposeful second (or third) career.
Candidates are welcome from any professional background. Prior schools' experience and/or formal professional qualifications may be beneficial but are not a requirement. Proven financial literacy and commercial leadership skills are.
St Columba's College is a thriving 4‑18 independent co‑educational day school of 825 students, of whom approximately 200 are in the Prep School and 160 in the Sixth Form. The College is located in the cathedral city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, 25 miles from Central London and close to the M1, M25, A1 and with excellent train services providing quick and easy access into London.
Established in 1955 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart the College is a Roman Catholic foundation based on the educational philosophy developed by Father André Coindre. We are part of a vital and dynamic group of 12 schools located primarily across the United States and the United Kingdom. The College site covers an area of 13.9 acres adjacent to Verulamium Park.
The site comprises a range of buildings dating from 1875 to 2013, all of which sit above three recently refurbished sports pitches (one rubber crumb 4G all‑weather pitch, one sand dressed MUGA and one traditional grass pitch). The College also owns a neighbouring residential property of significant size and grounds.
At St Columba's College we provide an outstanding education for students, and pride ourselves on knowing, valuing and treasuring each and every one of our young people. Honoured to be under the trusteeship of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, we recognise that a holistic education is one that develops academic excellence whilst recognising the value of a moral and spiritual education. Known for our strong community, we encourage partnership with parents to provide supportive care, guiding your child towards discovering themselves and the contribution they make to society.
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