Business Manager in Victor Harbor

Investigator College is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Business Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping the College's future.

About the Role

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a strategic thinker and confident decision-maker who combines strong financial expertise with the ability to lead people, manage complex operations and turn plans into action. Reporting directly to the Principal, the Business Manager is responsible for the College’s financial strategy, business operations, governance, risk management and infrastructure. Working closely with the Principal, College Board and Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will contribute to the long-term sustainability, growth and strategic direction of the College. The Business Manager plays a central role in ensuring the College is financially strong, well governed and positioned for future growth. With the support of an established finance team, the role extends well beyond day-to-day financial management, with a strong focus on long-term financial planning, commercial decision-making, capital investment and organisational leadership. The position also provides strategic oversight of the College’s infrastructure, grounds and key corporate services, ensuring that resources, systems and operations effectively support the delivery of exceptional educational outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial modelling and resource allocation to support the College’s strategic priorities and ongoing financial sustainability.
• Commercial Management: Provide sound commercial advice, evaluate investment opportunities, oversee major expenditure and contracts, and identify opportunities to improve operational and financial performance.
• Governance, Risk and Compliance: Strengthen the College’s governance frameworks, oversee risk management and regulatory compliance, and ensure effective reporting and accountability to the Principal and College Board.
• Infrastructure and Capital Development: Oversee the College’s facilities, grounds, maintenance programs and capital works, including major infrastructure projects and future development opportunities.
• Corporate Services Leadership: Provide leadership and strategic oversight across key business and operational functions, ensuring services are efficient, responsive and aligned with the College’s priorities.
• Senior Leadership: Contribute as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing considered advice, leading organisational improvements and supporting the College’s broader strategic direction.

About You

We are looking for an accomplished business leader who brings strong financial credentials, commercial acumen and a practical, solutions-focused approach. You will be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, with the confidence to make well-informed decisions, manage competing priorities and take ownership of outcomes. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Ideally a CA or CPA qualification, supported by substantial experience in senior financial or business management roles.
• Proven experience in strategic financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and long-term financial planning.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience overseeing complex business operations, capital expenditure and significant financial decisions.
• Sound understanding of corporate governance, risk management, regulatory compliance and organisational accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage external stakeholders and build productive working relationships.
• A proactive and decisive leadership style, with the ability to identify opportunities, solve problems and deliver meaningful improvements.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise senior leaders and present financial and strategic information to governing bodies.
• An appreciation of the opportunities and challenges associated with leading business operations in a values-driven organisation.

Experience within the education sector, particularly independent schools, will be highly regarded. However, we also welcome applications from experienced commercial and financial leaders in other sectors who can demonstrate the ability to transition successfully into a complex educational environment.

Why Join Investigator College

Investigator College is an independent Anglican College providing education from Early Learning through to Year 12, located in beautiful Victor Harbor on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. With a strong sense of community and a commitment to helping every student become their best self, the College offers a rewarding environment in which educational excellence, wellbeing and innovation are valued. This appointment offers the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the College’s future, working alongside an engaged leadership team and helping shape the financial, operational and infrastructure priorities of a dynamic educational organisation. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to combine executive leadership and commercial expertise with work that has a genuine impact on students, staff and the wider College community.

Investigator College is committed to child safety and wellbeing. The successful applicant will be required to satisfy all relevant child protection and employment screening requirements, including holding a valid Working with Children Check.