Senior Contracts Officer

The Education People, Schools Financial Services

Ref: 1644

Posted: 05/01/2026 Start Date: 1st February 2026

Interview Date: Commencing 19th January 2026

Pay: £31,680 - £37,855

Close Date: 30/01/2026 at 12:00

Job Description

Location: Kings Hill / Hybrid

Salary/package: £31,680 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Are you ready to make a real impact in education finance? Step into the role of Senior Contracts Officer and help shape the financial integrity of schools and academies, ensuring every decision supports better outcomes for learners.

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 

As a Senior Contracts Officer, you’ll manage flexible traded finance support services for schools, academies and Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). Your work will ensure sound financial planning, integrity and budgetary control, especially for complex and high risk contracts. You’ll provide expert advice and guidance, mentor colleagues and play a vital part in supporting our marketing strategy and service delivery.

What you’ll be doing 

• Supervise and mentor a team of Contracts Officers to deliver high quality financial services.
• Ensure consistent service delivery across all contracts, initiating staff training as needed.
• Review and allocate contractual work, optimising resources within the team.
• Act as the first point of contact for Contract Officers, ensuring Service Level Agreements are met.
• Support and manage high risk contracts, providing financial management advice to schools.
• Liaise with Service Delivery Lead Officers on financial issues, escalating concerns where necessary.
• Advise schools and academies on financial and management accounting packages, ensuring timely financial returns.

What we’re looking for

• Hold a financial qualification or demonstrate proven ability in finance roles.
• Bring experience of working within a finance department.
• Great communication skills both written and verbal.
• Able to build strong relationships with customers and staff and deliver an outstanding service.
• Experience leading and managing staff effectively while supporting their development.
• Good IT and organisational skills.
• Good understanding of national and local financial policies and controls with knowledge of schools financial systems.

What you’ll get in return

• Salary of £31,680 range 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.

Contact Information

Telephone: 03301 651 198

Email: melchiorre.bennardo@theeducationpeople.org

Documents

• Job Description - Adobe PDF, 342.9KB