Contracts Officer x 2
Permanent
Grade D - £45,091 – £51,356
Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week
Birmingham City Council’s PFI Commissioning team is recruiting talented and motivated professionals to support the effective management of our Schools PFI contracts. We are offering two specialist opportunities and applicants are invited to apply for either:
- Contract Compliance & Financial Controls Officer
- Contracts Officer – Estate & Facilities Management
Please ensure you clearly state in your application which role you are applying for, or confirm if you wish to be considered for both roles.
About the Team
Our team delivers the Council’s statutory responsibilities for PFI/BSF contract management, overseeing four schools PFI contracts covering 28 schools across Birmingham. This includes managing complex commercial and financial arrangements, monitoring lifecycle and performance delivery, and ensuring compliance with contractual and statutory obligations. A key focus of the service is supporting contract expiry and hand back planning, working proactively with contractors and stakeholders to ensure assets are returned in the required condition and long-term value is safeguarded for the Council and schools.
You will join a collaborative, high-performing service that works closely with schools, academies, contractors, and internal partners to ensure safe, compliant, and value‑for‑money education facilities across Birmingham.
1. Contract Compliance & Financial Controls Officer
Focus: Financial controls, payment mechanisms, performance data, compliance auditing, and contract interrogation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert financial and contractual analysis across four Schools PFI contracts.
- Lead on variations, invoicing, penalty deductions, and financial reporting.
- Manage financial controls including PFI credits, GAG funding, and monthly/annual reporting.
- Produce contract appraisal reports, risk registers, and compliance documentation.
- Audit financial elements such as lifecycle, PPM, FF&E and contractor cost submissions.
- Mentor junior staff involved in financial functions.
Ideal Candidate
- PFI financial experience.
- Strong understanding of payment mechanisms, KPIs, and contract law.
- Skilled in analysing financial models and producing high‑quality performance reports.
- Excellent communication, problem‑solving and IT skills.
- Skilled in report writing, chairing meetings, and stakeholder engagement.
2. Contracts Officer – Estate & Facilities Management
Focus: Hard & Soft FM, asset management, statutory compliance, condition audits, and estates‑related contract performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise on estate and FM elements of Schools PFI contracts.
- Review service delivery models, method statements, and performance against contractual obligations.
- Oversee variation works, project plans, costings, and compliance with agreed outcomes.
- Conduct condition audits, statutory compliance checks, and site inspections.
- Support dispute resolution between schools and contractors.
- Produce statutory and performance reports and contribute to contract renegotiation activities.
Ideal Candidate
- Professional qualification in Facilities Management, H&S, Surveying, or related discipline.
- Strong experience in PFI, estates, Hard/Soft FM, or public‑sector asset management.
- Confident in analysing technical data, identifying defects, and recommending solutions.
- Skilled in report writing, chairing meetings, and stakeholder engagement.
What We’re Looking For
Across both roles, we are seeking individuals who can demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to interpret complex contractual information.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
- Confidence working independently and within a team.
- Commitment to delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑money services
- Ability to have transferrable skills as both posts will have similar duties and cover each role.
Please upload an up-to-date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquires please contact the Resourcing Team <Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk>
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.
Job Description and Person Specifications - Finance - Estate Management
