Service Delivery Lead Officer

Location: Aylesford / Hybrid  Salary/package: £36,233 - £44,500 per annum   Contract type: Permanent  Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week  Join The Education People (TEP) as a Service Delivery Lead Officer within our expanding Schools Financial Services team and play a key role in supporting schools, academies, and Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) to achieve sound financial management and integrity.    This is an exciting opportunity to combine leadership, customer service and financial expertise in a dynamic people-focused environment.  Due to the nature of the work, an Enhanced DBS check (provided by the Company) will be carried out. This role may require travel across the region; therefore, a full UK driving licence and use of a personal vehicle is essential, with business mileage reimbursed in line with company policy.  Who we are   The Education People (TEP), part of Commercial Services Group (CSG), excels in delivering essential services that make a positive difference to children, young people and education providers. With a dedicated team of specialists, we deliver expert-led support in school improvement, finance, early years, governance, safeguarding and leadership.  Our Schools Financial Services team provides trusted financial support and advice to schools and academies, ensuring robust financial planning, compliance, and sustainability.  Why this role matters   As a Service Delivery Lead Officer, you will lead a team of finance professionals responsible for providing traded financial services to schools and academies. You will ensure high-quality delivery across all contracts, promote best practice and support the development of new and innovative financial services.  This role is pivotal in maintaining the financial health and confidence of our customers, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, and upholding TEP’s reputation for excellence. You’ll also play an active role in shaping the future of Schools Financial Services, supporting schools to deliver effective financial management that directly impacts educational outcomes.  What you’ll be doing   Lead and develop a team of Service Delivery Officers to deliver traded financial services, ensuring high standards of performance, customer service and compliance.  Facilitate consistent service delivery across all contracts, coordinating training and quality assurance to drive continuous improvement.  Allocate work efficiently across the team to maximise productivity and ensure customer satisfaction.  Collaborate with Schools Financial Services Managers, the Finance Operations Manager and other CSG partners to design and launch new traded services that meet customer needs.  Provide expert financial advice and guidance, including support on financial systems, statutory returns and budget management.  Build and maintain strong relationships with SFS customers through regular contact and site visits.  What we’re looking for  Proven experience managing a team and leading on service delivery.  Excellent customer relationship management skills with the ability to understand and meet customer needs.  Financial qualification and/or proven ability to perform the role effectively.  Experience working in a finance environment, ideally within education or the public sector.  Strong written and verbal communication skills.  Excellent IT skills, including confidence with financial systems and Microsoft Office.  Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities  Sound knowledge of financial controls, policies and finance systems  What you’ll get in return  Salary of £36,233 - £44,500 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