Contracts Officer (Contract) in Aylesford

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

Experience in working in a school finance department is required, along with knowledge of school finance systems and accounting software. A good understanding of national and local policies, financial controls and procedures is essential. 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 also essential.

Benefits include:

• 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

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. 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.