St Columba's College

St Columba's College in St Albans is currently seeking a new Bursar and Clerk to the Governors (COO) for a April 2026 start date.

This senior leadership role will help shape strategy and manage a wide range of diverse business support functions including Finance, IT, Estates and Facilities, Catering, Transport, Compliance, Health & Safety and Legal.

A school Bursar role is similar to a COO (or CFO) role and is one of the most varied, rewarding and fulfilling roles for an experienced and proven commercial leader wishing to make a positive impact in the world with their financial and commercial acumen, and their strategic planning and leadership skills.

Potentially interested applicants are encouraged to contact
David Stephens of Join The Dots
for an informal and confidential discussion to discuss their interest and suitability for this role.
David Stephens can be contacted on or at

About the School

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.

About the Role

The Bursar plays a crucial, strategic leadership role within the College, and will be pivotal to the ongoing future success of the College.

The broad, varied and rewarding role will suit an experienced, financially literate leader with robust commercial acumen, excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of operational teams and wider stakeholders, and a keen desire to play a meaningful, impactful role in the lives of young children.

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..

Responsibilities

• The Bursar is a key strategic leader within the school, integral and pivotal to the the strategic leadership and planning for the ongoing future success of St Columba's College.
• 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 teaching colleagues to deliver the outstanding educational and pastoral provision of a Columban childhood.
• This includes an extensive range of functions including Finance, IT, Estates, Catering, Transport, Cleaning, Compliance, Health & Safety, Legal and Company Secretarial.

Qualifications and Mindset

There is certainly no single prescribed route or career pathway into this role. Candidates are welcome from any professional background, whether commercial, financial, military or charitable.

Prior schools' experience and/or formal professional qualifications may be beneficial but are not a requirement. Proven financial and commercial leadership skills are.

• This somewhat unique role will not appeal to people who need routine, predictability or an easy life. Each day in this role is different and often presents new and unexpected problems to solve.
• Success in this role requires an ability to think and plan strategically for the long term whilst also being agile and ready to deal with the unplanned.
• Happiness in this role requires an open, curious and collaborative mindset, a resilient disposition, and an ability to stay calm and positive at all times.

Required Skills

• Robust commercial acumen.
• Demonstrable financial literacy, and familiarity with both P&L and Balance Sheet.
• Strong interpersonal skills to manage a wide variety of relationships and teams.
• An ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• The charm and presence to lead and inspire others.

Preferred Skills

There is no prescribed route into a career in bursaring 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.

There are no bored Bursars, the vast majority of those who make the transition into a school role never regretting it, indeed often wishing they had done it sooner.

Pay range and compensation package

This role will offer an attractive package including generous holiday allowance, pension and other benefits including attractive fee remission for any children educated at St Columba's College.

How To Apply

Potentially interested applicants are encouraged to read the job specification brochure and then contact David Stephens of Join The Dots for an informal, confidential discussion about their interest and suitability for the role.

David Stephens can be contacted on or at

[In order to be further considered for this vacancy, candidates are requested to complete the online application form at Work with Us - St Columba's College

The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 10th November.

It is currently envisaged that selected candidates will be invited for a school tour and longlist interview on Tuesday 18th or Wednesday 19th November and then a second shortlist interview on Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th November.

However, the school reserves the right to review applications as received and also to interview candidates and make an appointment at any stage, so early applications are strongly recommended.

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