Business Manager

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625359

Salary Range: £50,564 - £56,219 pro-rata, per annum (Actual salary £40,451 - £44,975 per annum)

Work Location: Bar End Road, Winchester

Hours per week: 29.6

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 November 2026

Interview Date: 3 December 2026

The Role:

At Hampshire Music Service (HMS), we believe that music has the power to inspire, enrich lives and bring people together. As the lead partner in the Hampshire Music Education Hub, we provide high-quality music education to more than 20,000 pupils each year through a dedicated team of 160 teachers.

We are seeking an exceptional Business Manager to join the Hampshire Music Service Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the Head of Service, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for finance, administration, business processes and organisational effectiveness across the Service.

This is a senior leadership role and a significant people leadership role. You will lead the business support and administration function, line manage Administration Managers and other designated staff, establish clear individual and team objectives, hold regular and purposeful supervision meetings for the HMS Support Team, and build a cohesive, accountable and high-performing team.

You will also lead the preparation, monitoring and forecasting of complex budgets across two planning cycles simultaneously: the academic year and the local authority financial year. You will ensure that funding, income, expenditure, staffing and delivery assumptions are aligned, clearly understood and translated into accurate, timely financial advice.

The role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful organisational change, improve systems and processes, and help secure the long-term sustainability of a service that enables children and young people across Hampshire to engage, be empowered and excel through music.

What you’ll do:

In this strategic and operational leadership role, you will:

• Contribute to the strategic leadership, planning and continuous development of Hampshire Music Service.


• Lead and develop the business support and administration function, creating a high-performing, collaborative and customer-focused team.


• Manage staff performance, capacity and professional development through effective leadership, supervision and coaching.


• Lead financial planning and management, including budget setting, forecasting, monitoring, reporting and the oversight of multiple income and funding streams.


• Ensure robust financial controls, compliance and governance arrangements, including procurement, audit, risk management and business continuity.


• Drive digital transformation and continuous improvement, implementing efficient systems and ways of working.


• Oversee business operations and administrative services, ensuring consistent, high-quality support for schools, families, staff and partners.


• Provide clear analysis, advice and reporting to support informed decision-making by the Head of Service and Leadership Team.


• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicating complex financial and operational information clearly and confidently.


• Operate effectively in a complex and fast-paced environment, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an experienced leader who combines strong people management with confident financial and organisational leadership.

You will have:

• Strong financial management skills, including budget planning, monitoring, forecasting, reporting and variance analysis.


• Significant experience of leading, managing and developing staff, including performance management and building high-performing teams.


• Ability to manage complex budgets, multiple income streams and competing priorities.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and provide sound advice to senior leaders.


• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and deliver under pressure.


• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-management skills.


• Proficient in the use of digital systems, spreadsheets and management information to support decision-making.


• Commitment to equality, inclusion, customer service, continuous improvement and the aims of Hampshire Music Service.

It would be an advantage if you also have:

• Relevant professional qualification, or equivalent experience, in business management, finance, leadership or a related field.


• Experience working within education, local government, the public sector or a cultural, arts or similarly complex service environment.


• Experience of grant management, procurement, contract management, restricted funding and income generation.


• Experience of planning, monitoring and reporting across multiple operational, academic or financial cycles.


• Knowledge of Hampshire County Council systems, governance and corporate processes.

Why join us?

• Lead a key function at the heart of a countywide music service


• Shape systems, processes and ways of working that support sustainable, high-quality delivery


• Develop and empower a committed business support and administration team


• Work alongside the Head of Service and Leadership Team on strategic priorities and organisational change


• Be part of a nationally recognised centre of excellence in music education

To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our benefits package. 

Additional Information:

Business Manager Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Jonathan Cranston, Head of Hampshire Music Service on [email protected]