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- Tasks: Support schools with financial planning and management to ensure quality education.
- Company: Join The Education People, a leading public sector service provider in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days leave, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in school finance and strong customer relationship skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 27642 - 27642 £ per year.
Location: Aylesford/ Hybrid
Salary/package: £27,642 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (may consider term time only)
Join a trusted team supporting schools across Kent with financial services that keep education on track. As a Contracts Officer, you’ll be playing a key role in ensuring sound financial planning and control. This is a great chance to develop your career in a supportive environment with one of the UK’s leading public sector service providers.
Who we are
The Education People, part of Commercial Services Group, have been supporting people to deliver the things that matter to the lives of children for many years and can proudly say that each of our education services is brought to you by experts in their field. Our expertise ranges from safeguarding to equality & inclusion, from financial management to professional development alongside a whole range of other areas. Wherever it’s possible to provide education support services, we are committed to doing just that - whether it’s expert training, online education events or downloadable resources.
Why this role matters
The Contracts Officer plays a key role in supporting 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. It’s essential for enabling schools to focus on delivering quality education.
What you’ll be doing
- Deliver and support contracts as defined in the relevant contract specification documentation and agreed with schools, academies and MAT’s.
- Provide support and sound financial management advice to schools, including Full bursarial, Returns & Monitoring and Adhoc contracts on processing, budget preparation, monthly monitoring and closure of accounts.
- Liaise with the Senior Contracts Officers regarding all financial issues in schools and academies, identifying and informing the senior management of the school/academy and the Senior Contracts Officer of any concerns and relevant budgetary issues.
- Provide support and guidance to schools and academies on their chosen financial and management accounting package ensuring the production of both statutory and ad hoc financial returns as well as their timely submittal.
- Provide advice, support and guidance to contracted schools and academies in relevant financial matters, including regular duties on the Helpdesk.
- Support the delivery of all business requirements of Schools Financial Services.
What we’re looking for
- Experience in working in a school finance department.
- Knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software.
- A good understanding of national and local policies, financial controls and procedures.
- Strong customer relationship skills.
- Research, analytical and interpretive skills.
- The ability to travel across a wide geographical area (Kent and Bexley) in a timely and flexible manner at various times of the day is essential.
What you’ll get in return
- Salary of £27,642 per annum
- 25 days annual leave
- Life assurance cover (4x salary)
- Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme
- Tailored learning and development support with real opportunities to progress
Why CSG?
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £800 million in revenue and supporting 16,000 education and public sector customers worldwide. With more than 1,800 employees across the UK, France, Dubai and Bangkok, we are working towards becoming the global leader in education and public sector solutions. We are expanding rapidly, with annual growth of around 25 percent, supported by a blend of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 33 trading businesses deliver a wide range of services including education management, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and supplies. CSG is wholly owned by local authorities, and a significant proportion of our profits is reinvested into frontline public services. Over £77 million has already been returned, reflecting our commitment to combining commercial performance with meaningful social impact.
Inclusion & Accessibility
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.
Contracts Officer employer: Commercial Services
Contact Detail:
Commercial Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Contracts Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around financial planning and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your customer relationship skills during interviews. Think of examples where you've successfully supported clients or colleagues, especially in a financial context. This will demonstrate your ability to provide expert advice and guidance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in school finance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Contracts Officer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your strong customer relationship skills and any experience you have with financial management. We’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so let us know how you've done this in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commercial Services
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Contracts Officer, you'll be dealing with financial planning and management. Brush up on your knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Customer Skills
Strong customer relationship skills are essential for this role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully supported clients or stakeholders in the past. Think about specific situations where you resolved issues or provided valuable advice.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with national and local policies related to education finance. During the interview, demonstrate your understanding of how these policies impact schools and academies. This shows that you're not just focused on numbers but also on the educational outcomes.
✨Be Ready to Travel
This role requires flexibility in travel across Kent and Bexley. Be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to travel at various times. Highlight any previous experience you have with managing travel logistics effectively.
