Contracts Officer

Commercial Ltd; New Romney; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public sector service provider in the UK is seeking a Contracts Officer to support financial planning and control across education centers. This role involves delivering contract management advice and ensuring financial stability in schools. Ideal candidates will have experience in school finance and strong analytical skills. The position offers a salary of £27,642 along with benefits like flexible working arrangements and opportunities for development.

Benefits

25 days holiday, rising to 30 for long service

Life assurance cover

Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution

Retail and gym discounts

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunities for progression and development

Qualifications

• Experience in a school finance department is essential.
• Knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software required.
• Understanding national and local financial policies is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and support contracts to schools and academies.
• Liaise with Senior Contracts Officers regarding financial issues.
• Support schools on financial and management accounting packages.

Skills

Experience working in a school finance department

Strong customer relationship skills

Research, analytical, and interpretive skills

Tools

School finance systems

Accounting software

Job description

Join a trusted team supporting schools across Kent with financial services that keep education on track. As a Contracts Officer, you'll play a key role in ensuring sound financial planning and control. This is a great opportunity to develop your career in a supportive environment with one of the UK's leading public sector service providers.

The Contracts Officer supports education centres with accurate financial planning, monitoring, and compliance. By delivering expert advice and services, the role helps ensure financial stability and accountability across the education sector, enabling schools to focus on delivering quality education.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deliver and support contracts as defined in the relevant contract specification documentation and agreed with schools, academies, and MATs. Provide support and sound financial management advice, including bursarial services, returns, monitoring, and ad hoc contracts related to processing, budget preparation, monthly monitoring, and account closure.
2. Liaise with Senior Contracts Officers regarding financial issues in schools and academies, informing senior management of concerns and relevant budgetary issues.
3. Support and guide schools and academies on their financial and management accounting packages, ensuring timely production and submission of statutory and ad hoc financial returns.
4. Provide advice, support, and guidance to contracted schools and academies on financial matters, including duties on the Helpdesk.
5. Support the delivery of all business requirements of Schools Financial Services.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience working in a school finance department.
• Knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software.
• Understanding of national and local policies, financial controls, and procedures.
• Strong customer relationship skills.
• Research, analytical, and interpretive skills.
• Ability to travel across Kent and Bexley in a timely and flexible manner.

About the Employer

The Education People has been supporting the delivery of services that matter to children for many years. Our expertise spans safeguarding, equality & inclusion, financial management, professional development, and more. We are committed to providing education support services through training, online events, and downloadable resources.

Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the UK's largest local authority-owned trading company, supporting 16,000 education and public sector customers worldwide with over £800 million in revenue. With over 1,800 employees across the UK, France, Dubai, and Bangkok, we aim to be a global leader in education and public sector solutions. Our services include education management, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement, and supplies. We reinvest profits into frontline public services, with over £77 million returned to date.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary of £27,642 per annum
• 25 days holiday, rising to 30 for long service, plus bank holidays
• Life assurance cover
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan, and cycle to work scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for progression and development