Principal Payment Officer

Commercial Payments Manager

Permanent

Grade D - £45,091 – £51,356

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

We are seeking a highly motivated Commercial Payments Manager. This is an exciting and challenging role working as part of the Highways PFI Contract Management Team. As the Commercial Payments Manager, you will be directly responsible for management of processes that ensure the monthly payment of invoices is undertaken in accordance with agreed contractual arrangements and financial regulations. A good understanding and or experience of budget management is needed to fulfil this role.

You will have a proven track record of managing a team in a contract or commercial setting, working with stakeholders and service providers to deliver high performing services in a complex environment. The role can at times be very demanding with competing priorities for senior stakeholders, so the ability to work in a structured way under pressure is essential.

Reporting to the Performance Manager, you will work collaboratively with other teams within the wider PFI Contract Management Team and external stakeholders to ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the future service need.

• Manage the day‑to‑day payment processes for highway maintenance and management services contracts, ensuring payments are accurate, auditable and in line with contract provisions.
• Monitor, analyse and challenge service provider forecasts and expenditure, using data and financial insight to support robust decision‑making.
• Provide expert advice on contract requirements and prepare clear reports on payments, performance and financial position.
• Manage the review of and response to contractor claims and disputes, including Early Warnings and Compensation Events, supporting timely and effective resolution.
• Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure financial information is accurate, up to date and aligned with available resources.
• Support the development of future highway maintenance and management arrangements, including improving processes for performance management, payments and network change.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with service providers and internal stakeholders, representing the council in meetings and working groups as required.
• Contribute flexibly across the wider management team, providing cover and support on a range of service issues as needed.

You will be educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience, with a strong background in operational management.

• Experience of managing contracts, budgets and service providers.
• A working understanding of highway maintenance and management services.
• Knowledge of local authority statutory highway obligations.
• Strong commercial awareness and a pragmatic approach to value for money.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Confidence working with stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to work independently and maintain high performance standards.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Excel, to analyse data, solve problems and improve processes.

• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund – with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme – access to 800 plus brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support – independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling, occupational health

For any informal enquires please contact:

Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Job Description and Person Specification (please not that internally this role is called Principal Payments Officer)