Credit Control Clerk – CEF Manchester Region

Location: York, Clifton Moor – YO30 4RA
Department: Credit Control
Reports to: Credit Management Team
Employment type: Full-time

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am to 17.00pm (1 Hr Lunch Break & 21 Days Annual Leave)

Salary: £

Role Overview

We are seeking a customer-focused and organised Credit Control Clerk to provide credit control and administrative support across the Manchester Region (68 Branches in total) The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of approximately 20-25 branches, helping to maintain effective customer relationships while ensuring payments are received promptly.

This role involves regular telephone contact with customers, resolving account queries, carrying out credit searches, opening new credit accounts and producing reports for the management team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated credit control support to approximately 20-25 branches. Will also need to provide support across the other branches to cover holidays or absence.
• Contact customers regarding overdue balances and payments approaching their due dates.
• Handle inbound and outbound telephone calls professionally and confidently.
• Respond to customer and branch account queries, investigating and resolving issues promptly.
• Build positive relationships with customers and branch staff.
• Updating customer details, contacts, emails and addresses.
• Providing copy invoices and statements upon request.
• Carry out credit searches on new and existing customers.
• Review and process applications for new credit accounts in line with company procedures.
• Escalate unresolved queries, high-risk accounts and persistent non-payment when required.
• Provide general administrative support to the credit control function.
• Ensure customer information is handled accurately, securely and confidentially.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Confident and professional telephone manner, covering both inbound and outbound calls.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
• Comfortable discussing outstanding balances and requesting payment from customers.
• Accurate data-entry and administration skills.
• Ability to investigate queries and follow them through to resolution.
• Competence in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider finance team.

Desirable

• Previous experience in credit control, accounts receivable, customer service or financial administration.
• In the absence of the above a confident learner who works well as part of a team and who can build positive relationships.
• Experience managing a portfolio of customer accounts.
• Familiarity with credit searches and credit-reference systems.
• Experience opening new credit accounts and reviewing credit applications.

Personal Attributes

• Customer-focused, approachable and professional.
• Confident, resilient and comfortable having payment-related conversations.
• Methodical, accurate and attentive to detail.
• Proactive and able to manage deadlines.
• Calm under pressure, with a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Able to build productive working relationships with customers, branches and management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheshire Academies Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be part of our Tribe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HR Advisor (Fixed Term)

Recruitment Pack

October 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be part of our Tribe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome from the CEO

 

 

On behalf of Cheshire Academies Trust, thank you for your interest in our six-month, fixed-term HR Advisor post.

Cheshire Academies Trust is a growing Multi-Academy Trust of thirteen primary and special schools, with experienced and ambitious leaders across all of our settings. Our schools serve communities across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool, and our collective purpose is clear: when the adults around children are skilled, well-supported and genuinely motivated, children thrive.

Our vision, ‘Inspiring Hearts and Minds’, runs through everything we do. We hold ourselves to account through the outcomes of our most disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. People are at the centre of how we operate as a Trust, and we invest in our staff because workforce quality is the greatest lever we have for improving children’s lives.

We are building an in-house people function. While we take the time to decide the right shape for its leadership, we need an experienced HR Advisor to take on our day-to-day employee relations casework and make sure our policies are applied consistently in every school.

You will report to our Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO), Luci Jones, who leads HR for the Trust. You will work directly with our Headteachers and School Business Managers, and alongside our legal advisers, Browne Jacobson, on the more complex cases.

We are looking for someone who has run HR casework in schools, who knows the Burgundy Book, the NJC Green Book and the STPCD, and who can pick up a live caseload in the first week. You will be CIPD qualified to Level 3 or higher, and confident advising a Headteacher on a sensitive staffing matter. This is a six-month fixed-term contract, ideally full time, although we will consider part-time arrangements for the right person.

If you would like to discuss the post, please contact our CFOO, Luci Jones, at lucijones@cheshireacademiestrust.co.uk

Warm regards,

 

 

 

Steve Ellis

CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Schools and Teaching School (CLTA):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central Team Structure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HR Advisor Vacancy (Fixed Term)

The Role

Reporting to the CFOO, you will be the Trust's HR Advisor for employee relations casework and policy application across all thirteen schools, on a six-month fixed-term contract. You will work directly with Headteachers, School Business Managers and central team colleagues. This is a hybrid role based at our central offices, with regular visits to schools across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool and some working from home.

What You'll Do

Our teachers are employed on the STPCD and Burgundy Book, and our support staff on NJC Green Book terms negotiated in each local authority area. You will take over a live caseload, keep it moving within policy timescales and give schools quick, practical advice.

In your first two weeks, you will review every open case with the CFOO, agree priorities and next steps, and introduce yourself to Headteachers and SBMs. By the end of the contract, every case you have handled should be properly recorded, and either closed or handed over with a clear note of where it stands.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, probation and dignity at work cases across all schools, from first concern to outcome and appeal.
• Advising Headteachers and SBMs at each stage, and drafting invitation letters, terms of reference, outcome letters and case notes to a consistent Trust standard.
• Carrying out investigations, interviewing witnesses and writing evidenced reports, and supporting investigating officers and hearing panels.
• Managing sickness absence against Trust triggers, including occupational health referrals, return to work meetings, phased returns and reasonable adjustments.
• Running probation reviews with Headteachers so that decisions are made and recorded before six months' service, ahead of the unfair dismissal changes from 1 January 2027.
• Working with the Trust's safeguarding lead on the HR side of allegations against staff, including suspension, LADO liaison in each of our three local authority areas, and any referral to the DBS or Teaching Regulation Agency.
• Applying Trust policies consistently, identifying where policy and practice don't match, and helping the CFOO update policies and model letters, including the Flexible Working and Probationary policies.
• Keeping case and absence records accurate in Civica, in line with UK GDPR, and producing a monthly casework and absence report for the CFOO.
• Working constructively with recognised trade union representatives, and preparing cases for referral to Browne Jacobson where legal advice is needed.
• Delivering short briefings for Headteachers and SBMs on absence, probation and managing conduct.

 

What You'll Bring

• Experience of HR casework in an education setting (a school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service) is essential. You will understand how a Headteacher's day works and why staffing issues in schools need fast, careful handling.
• You will have run a day-to-day caseload yourself, from first concern to outcome, and carried out workplace investigations. You will know when a case needs legal advice and when it doesn't.
• Working knowledge of the Burgundy Book, the NJC Green Book and the STPCD, and of the employment law changes taking effect through 2026 and 2027.
• CIPD qualified to Level 3 or higher. Level 5 or above is an advantage.
• You will be organised enough to pick up someone else's caseload and confident enough to give a senior leader advice they may not want to hear.
• The post is full time for six months. We will consider part-time arrangements of three days a week or more, so please state each candidate's availability clearly.

Contract details:
• Six-month fixed-term contract from Monday 16 November 2026, employed directly by the Trust
• NJC SCP 26–30, £38,510–£42,123 FTE (2026–27), with appointment expected at SCP 26–28 (£38,510–£40,444) depending on experience
• Full time, 37 hours, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks (part time of three days a week or more considered, pro rata)
• NJC Green Book terms and conditions and Local Government Pension Scheme membership
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata for the contract (31 days with 5 years’ continuous local government service)
• Core hours 9:00–17:00, with flexibility for occasional early or late hearings and meetings
• Based at our central offices at Kelsall Primary School (Cheshire West) and Woodchurch Road Academy (Wirral), with regular school visits
• Typically two days a week working from home once established
• Systems: Civica (HR and payroll), My New Term (recruitment and onboarding), Microsoft 365 and Teams
• Reports to Luci Jones, Chief Finance and Operations Officer

We are proud of our collaborative, values-led culture. You will join a central team that works closely with schools, is approachable and supportive, and is committed to staff wellbeing as well as pupil outcomes.

Agency Process:
Please send CVs to Luci Jones by 12 noon on Monday 26 October 2026. Full details of the selection process, compliance requirements and agency terms are set out on the final page of this pack.

Cheshire Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

 

 

 

Job

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post:

HR Advisor (Employee Relations), Fixed Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary:

NJC Pay Scale SCP 26-30 FTE £38,510 - £42,123 (2026-27). Appointment at SCP 26-28.

Six-month fixed term, full time: actual salary £19,255 - £21,062 for the contract period

Job Title: HR Advisor (Employee Relations), Fixed Term

Location: Hybrid (Kelsall/Woodchurch Road/schools/home) Reports to: CFOO   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key: E = Essential D = Desirable A = Application I = Interview R = References C = Certificate

 

#	Criterion	E/D	Evidence
Qualifications
1	CIPD qualification at Level 3 or higher	E	A/C
2	CIPD Level 5 or above, or Associate Member (Assoc CIPD) or higher	D	A/C
3	Safer recruitment training (or willingness to complete it in the first month)	E	A/C
4	Workplace investigations training	D	A/C
Knowledge & Experience
5	HR casework experience in an education setting (school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service). Candidates without education experience will not be shortlisted	E	A/I/R
6	Running a day-to-day caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence and probation cases from first concern to outcome	E	A/I/R
7	Carrying out workplace investigations and writing evidenced investigation reports	E	A/I/R
8	Advising Headteachers or senior managers on applying policy consistently across several sites	E	A/I
9	Working knowledge of the Burgundy Book, NJC Green Book and STPCD	E	A/I
10	Working knowledge of current employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025 changes	E	A/I
11	Understanding of KCSIE Part 4 and the HR side of allegations against staff, including LADO liaison	E	A/I
12	Working constructively with recognised trade union representatives	E	A/I
13	Presenting management cases at hearings and appeals	D	A/I/R
14	Supporting ACAS early conciliation or employment tribunal preparation	D	A/I
15	Experience of Civica or another HR information system	D	A/I
Skills & Abilities
16	Excellent written communication, including letters, case notes and investigation reports	E	A/I
17	Ability to pick up an existing caseload quickly and manage competing deadlines without close supervision	E	A/I/R
18	Ability to handle confidential and special category data in line with UK GDPR	E	A/I
19	Confident use of Microsoft 365, including Teams and Excel	E	A/I
Personal Qualities
20	Discretion, integrity and sound judgement with sensitive matters	E	A/I/R
21	Fair-minded, calm and firm, with empathy for staff going through difficult processes	E	A/I/R
22	Confidence to challenge and advise senior leaders	E	A/I/R
Other Requirements
23	Willingness to travel to schools across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool, with a driving licence and access to a vehicle	E	A/I
24	Available to start in November 2026 for a six-month fixed-term contract	E	A
25	Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory pre-employment checks	E	C

 

Information for Agencies

 

 

Submitting candidates. We are asking a small number of agencies to put forward candidates for this post. HR experience in an education setting (a school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service) is essential, and we will not consider candidates without it. Please send no more than three CVs, each with a short covering note setting out the candidate's education casework experience, CIPD level, availability, notice period and current salary. Please send CVs to our CFOO, Luci Jones, at lucijones@cheshireacademiestrust.co.uk.

 

Selection process. Interviews will be a single stage, held in person or on Microsoft Teams and lasting around 60 minutes. The panel will be Steve Ellis (CEO) and Luci Jones (CFOO). The interview will include a short casework scenario. We will confirm our decision to the agency within two working days of the final interview, and the Trust will issue the offer letter and fixed-term contract directly.

Agency terms. This is a direct fixed-term appointment, so the successful candidate will be employed by the Trust from their first day. Please send your terms of business with your CVs, stating your placement fee as a percentage of the salary actually paid over the six-month contract (not an annualised salary), your rebate terms if the appointment ends early, and any fee that would apply if the Trust later extends the contract or offers a permanent post.

Compliance. We ask the agency to carry out pre-employment checks. This includes references, an enhanced DBS check (an Update Service check, or a new enhanced DBS check where the candidate is not on the Update Service), a digital right to work check, and identity and qualification checks. To help us move quickly, please supply the following for each candidate:

• A full employment history, with any gaps explained

• Contact details for referees covering at least the last two years, including the most recent employer

• DBS certificate number and whether the candidate is on the Update Service

• Right to work documents or a Home Office share code

• National Insurance number

• Copies of CIPD and other relevant qualification certificates

• Details of any time lived or worked outside the UK, so that we can obtain overseas checks

Other agencies and data. This brief has been sent to a small number of agencies at the same time. and candidate information will be handled in line with our Recruitment Privacy Notice. The successful candidate will sign the Trust's confidentiality agreement on their first day.

Start Date:

As soon as possible

CVs by: 12 noon, Monday 26 October 2026

Interviews: tbc

We reserve the right to close this brief early if a suitable candidate is identified before the CV deadline.

 

Contracts and Frameworks Manager (Job Description)

 

Role title:

Contracts and Frameworks Manager

Location:

Remote working – with the option to work from our York Office as and when desired.

Main Purpose of the role:

We are looking for an experienced Contracts and Frameworks Manager to join the Micro-Tech UK Ltd team. The focus of this role is to manage national frameworks, and contracts across the NHS and private hospitals.

 

 

Activities / Main Duties:

• To ensure that Micro-Tech UK Ltd is accepted on all major frameworks as they become open and to communicate with the senior team regarding progress and requirements
• To assist with potential contracts that could be placed with Hospitals, Trusts or local buying groups
• To gain access to private hospital groups and manage the process to ensure we can sell across various groups and hospitals
• Keep up to date with relevant industry information relating to regulation, frameworks and tenders
• To initiate and build strong, professional and effective relationships with key contacts
• Manage MTUK’s Quality and Health and Safety policies and procedures ensuring records are kept up to date
• Ensure MTUK is prepared to successfully be awarded its ISO certifications
• Support the Directors in achieving its Carbon Reduction Plan
• To be a Micro-Tech UK brand ambassador for the business representing our values, ambitions and morals always
• Working closely with the Directors on specific projects to improve business function, processes and growth
• Always deliver outstanding customer service
• Extol a one team attitude

1.  

What you’ll bring:

• Self-motivated and capable of working with numerous and wide-ranging types of suppliers and contractors
• Financially and commercial astute, with clear budgeting and costing skills
• Strong attention to detail with good numerical skills
• Lateral thinker with the ability to put into practice innovative ideas and solutions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical thinking skills
• Critical to be self-sufficient, enthusiastic, and focused on delivery
• Outstanding team player

Business Development Manager (Job Description)

 

Role title:

Business Improvement Manager

Location:

Remote working –

Main Purpose of the role:

To improve the efficiency of key internal processes agreed with the Managing Director , research how AI can support the running of the business and recommend methods to improve internal and external customer service.

 

Activities / Main Duties:

• Manage Short Life Stock control by holding monthly meetings to go through 18-0mth stock and plan with the Managing Director how to minimize stock write offs.
• record financial transactions within a set process
• Work with your colleagues to ensure they have all the necessary information to maximize sales.
• Manage Fleetwood and Creo ordering process to minimize back orders and analyse sales patterns to maximise turnover.
• Research scanner capabilities and the possibility of stock control and order forcasting.
• Exploit AI to improve all processes and systems
• Control trade debtors by creating effective processes
• Focus on progressive projects co identified with the Managing Director
• Improve cooperation with distributors to increase sales growth

 

 

1.  

What you’ll bring:

• Project management skills
• Ability to face challenges and push through to completion
• Excellent communication skills
• The passion to take real accountability for your actions and goals.
• Strong attention to detail with good numerical skills
• Outstanding team player

1.  
2. Education:

• A ‘Level or Equivalent (required)
• Degree (preferred)

 

Job Title: Tax Return Sales Executive

Location: Ewloe CH5
Salary: £25,000 basic + uncapped commission (OTE £30,000+)
Hours: Full-time – 37.5 per week

About the Role

Are you a confident communicator with a natural talent for sales? We’re looking for a driven Tax Return Sales Executive to join our dynamic team. This is a fast-paced, target-led role where you’ll take charge of converting warm leads, generating new business, and building long-term client relationships — all while learning valuable skills in the world of tax.

If you thrive on hitting targets, closing deals, and delivering great customer experiences, this could be the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

 

• Make outbound sales calls to potential clients to promote our tax return services.
• Manage and convert inbound and warm leads into paying clients.
• Build strong relationships to maximise client retention and upselling opportunities.
• Confidently present our services and handle objections to close sales.
• Completing client tax returns and resolving HMRC queries.
• Maintain accurate records of all calls, leads, and conversions in the CRM system.
• Achieve and exceed weekly and monthly sales targets.

 

Key Skills & Experience

 

• Proven sales or telesales experience.
• A confident, persuasive communicator with a great phone manner.
• Target-driven with a strong desire to earn commission and succeed.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills.
• High level of organisation and attention to detail.
• Previous experience with tax, accountancy, or HMRC processes is beneficial but not essential – full training provided.

 

What’s in It for You

 

• £25,000 base salary plus uncapped commission – realistic OTE £30,000+.
• Generous commission structure with plenty of room to grow your earnings.
• Comprehensive training in tax return preparation and client management.
• Supportive, energetic team culture with clear progression opportunities.

Job Element	Detail
Job Title	Tech Support Specialist
Reporting to	IT Manager
Department	Tech Support
Main Purpose	The Tech Support Specialist role encompasses both internal and external customer service, provisioning hardware, fault diagnostics and ongoing product support.
Duties & Resposibilities	To provide an excellent customer service experience whilst managing customer expectations To manage faults, requests and enquiries on behalf of the customer in relation to Broadband & Hosted Telephony. To take responsibility of the issue through to resolution, providing proactive and regular progress updates to internal/external customers. Build and Provision VoIP Orders for customers. Provisioning and installing hardware. Provide product training to customers. To provide day to day product support to existing customers To be competent navigating 3rd party web portals and quick to learn technical processes. Site visits to resolve issues when required. Provide out of hours support to customers on a rota basis (optional)
Skills & Knowledge	Telecoms background – knowledge of: Network hardware – PC’s, Switches, Routers & Firewalls Networking TCP/IP, DNS, VPN’s & Router configuration Hosted / IP Telephony systems & SIP Trunks Excellent Customer service and communication skills Positive attitude Affective time management skills, with a logical approach to problem solving. Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints. Ability to work alone as well as part as a team, managing workload whilst reviewing changing priorities
Hours of Work & Salary	Mon – Fri 9:00 to 17:00 Starting salary £27,750 increasing to £29,000 after completion of training courses
Benefits	20 days holiday, increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days. Bank holidays in addition to holiday allowance On site parking at the Challenger office Workplace pension  Attendance bonus  Company bonus  Bupa Employee Assistance Programme   Birthday Gift Voucher  Long Service Vouchers   EV Charging  Challenger clothing  And more!