Location
London Borough of Waltham Forest

Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week

Salary
PO2 - £42,771 - £45,750

About the Role
We are seeking a highly organised and experienced Senior Payments Officer to lead the delivery of specialist financial support, payment processes and compliance activities across the Early Years Block (EYB) and High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This role is critical in ensuring accurate and timely payments to early years providers, schools, commissioned services and individuals, while maintaining compliance with Department for Education (DfE), Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Council requirements.

Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you will provide expert advice, develop and improve financial processes, analyse complex financial data, support commissioning activity and help deliver service improvements that enhance efficiency and accountability. You will also contribute to strategic planning, lead projects, and support providers to understand and meet their funding and financial obligations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled finance professional with strong analytical, stakeholder management and problem-solving abilities who is passionate about delivering high-quality services that support children, young people and education providers across the borough.

Experience
- Good knowledge and understanding of EYB and HNB DSG financial requirements, systems, policy, practices, procedures, and legislation.
- Experience of effectively managing high volume and complex payments within agreed resources.
- Strong understanding of issues affecting Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals in relation to EYB and HNB DSG payments.
- Significant experience working with and forming positive, trusting relationships with Ofsted/DfE registered settings, commissioned providers and individuals.
- Proven ability to produce and present high level financial information and explain technical/specialist information to non-specialists.
- Experience interpreting and analysing accounting regulations and codes of practice.
- Demonstrated initiative and expertise resulting in service improvements.
- Experience leading and sustaining internal and external partnerships.
- Excellent customer service skills, including resolving escalated and complex queries.
- Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, able to engage a wide range of audiences.
- Experience developing team members through effective delegation.
- Experience translating strategic vision into practical, achievable plans.
- Experience defining service delivery expectations and setting clear team goals.
- Experience managing projects and programmes, including change projects and grant funded initiatives.
- Skilled in using data and information to benchmark performance and assess team/service outcomes.
- Experience developing policies and procedures to improve service impact.
- Proficient in producing advice, data analysis, reports and presentations for internal and external managers.
- IT skills including Microsoft Office and computerised general ledger systems, with experience developing systems to achieve business outcomes.
- Experience using large complex management and client information systems, particularly Oracle.

About you
Self-motivated with initiative and commitment.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal teams, education providers, external partners and funding bodies.
Committed to delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service.
Capable of supervising staff and supporting team development.

Qualifications
Relevant experience and knowledge in financial management within education funding contexts.
Continued professional development and registration with relevant professional bodies is required.
Ability to meet safer recruitment requirements including satisfactory DBS check and employment references.
Fluent spoken English sufficient for effective role performance.