Office base: Hybrid, dual location – Westminster in central London and your home address. You will work from the office from time to time. This will not follow a regular pattern as we get together as and when needed to meet business needs. Travel expenses from home to office are funded for required business travel. You must be willing and able to commutable into the office as and when required.
Grade: Assistant Manager
Salary: £55,124 – £66,149 plus 10% non-contributory pension scheme and 28 days leave per year (rising to up to 30 days after 3 years’ service, and to 32 days annual leave after 5 years’ service) plus bank holidays and a range of optional benefits such as health cash plan and private medical insurance. 2025/26 pay award pending.
Reports to: Contract Manager
About PSAA
Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) is an independent company limited by guarantee incorporated by the Local Government Association in August 2014.
We are a not-for-profit company with 27 employees and a Board of five directors.
In July 2016, the Government specified PSAA as an appointing person under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015. As an appointing person PSAA is responsible for appointing auditors, setting scales of fees for eligible bodies that have chosen to opt into its national scheme, overseeing issues of auditor independence and monitoring contract compliance of the audit firms with whom we contract.
For the period from 2023/24 to 2027/28, over 99% of local government bodies, such as local councils, police and fire bodies and national parks, opted to join our scheme rather than appoint their own auditor. In late 2022 we completed our very significant procurement of external audit services for the delivery of an annual audit for the next five years to over 450 local government bodies, our clients.
The company is staffed by a team with significant experience of working within the context of the regulations to appoint auditors, managing contracts with audit firms, and setting and determining audit fees, and a small team providing business and project support services.
In December 2024 the Government announced plans to create the Local Audit Office (LAO) and to transfer all PSAA’s functions into this new organisation. The date of transfer is likely to be between Autumn 2026 and April 2028. The government has begun early discussions with us about PSAA staff transferring into the LAO.
You can find out more about who we are and what we do in the About Us section of our website.
The Role
The Assistant Contract Manager will provide crucial support to a Contract Manager in overseeing two significant audit services contracts. This role offers a development pathway toward future promotion to a Contract Manager position.
The Assistant Contract Manager will work closely with a Contract Manager to oversee the contractual delivery of audit services by two firms to hundreds of clients across England. Our audit services contracts are unique because of PSAA’s role in the local audit system, which means that we do not set service specifications or assess audit quality but rather assess supplier delivery against their method statements. We anticipate an enhanced contract management role once our functions transfer to the Local Audit Office.
This role is designed as a developmental position for future career progression. In this role you will:
Gain hands-on experience in contract management in a highly structured environment;
Develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies required for future promotion to Contract Manager;
Receive mentoring from experienced Contract Managers; and
Gradually take on increasing responsibility in preparation for career progression.
The Assistant Contract Manager will be line managed by a Contract Manager with oversight from the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Chief Executive – who has overall responsibility for contract management.
Key Responsibilities
Support the monitoring and analysis of suppliers' contractual performance including KPIs, Method Statements and contractual obligations
Maintain accurate records and filing of contract management matters in accordance with established frameworks, procedures and systems
Coordinate and prepare agendas and notes of contract meetings
Support the Contract Manager as a key point of contact for assigned suppliers and client opted-in bodies
Track and follow up on supplier and PSAA actions under the guidance of the Contract Manager
Contribute to the identification and management of issues and disputes, escalating to the Contract Manager as appropriate
Support the Contract Manager in evaluating auditors' use of additional powers
Contribute to the preparation of performance reports and documentation
Assist in capturing and managing risks, issues, and lessons learned
Maintain awareness of fee variations submitted by assigned suppliers
Establish and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders
Help develop and improve contract management and administration systems and processes
Work flexibly to meet changing business priorities and to support the Contract Manager
Comply with relevant legislation, regulations, and internal policies and procedures
This job description indicates the range of duties and responsibilities to be undertaken but does not detail every activity. The post holder will be required to perform other reasonable tasks to meet the operational needs of the company.
Skills Required for This Role
Essential
Academic qualifications appropriate to the role
Experience working with professional services contracts or in a contract support role
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels, adapt messaging for different audiences and channels, and willingly offer constructive challenge and voice own opinion
Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy when following a detailed process, including when working to tight deadlines, and when proof-reading documentation
Strong team-working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and flexibly to achieve results and maintain positive stakeholder relationships
Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence to deal with people at all levels
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve contract-related issues and discrepancies, with the ability to analyse large volumes of complex data
Strong IT skills (including Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
Able to work effectively on own initiative and know when to seek advice
Good project management skills including an understanding of progress tracking, risk and independency management
Desirable
Familiarity with legal terminology, contract principles, and relevant laws and regulations
Knowledge of IT-based contract management systems
Basic financial knowledge relevant to contract management
Awareness of the local audit industry and requirements
Some understanding of the local or central government sector
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.
We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:
Contracts and Process Management - highlight your experience with professional services contracts, contract support roles, and your ability to follow detailed processes with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, even under tight deadlines.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - emphasise your excellent written and verbal communication skills, including your ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels and adapt messaging for different audiences.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills - showcase your ability to identify and resolve contract-related issues, analyse complex data, and apply strong problem-solving approaches to workplace challenges.
Organisational and Time Management - detail your ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines in fast-paced environments, and maintain strong organisational and administrative skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration - describe your experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, building positive stakeholder relationships, and contributing to a culture of trust and collaboration.
Technology Proficiency and Adaptability - highlight your strong IT skills (particularly with Excel, Word and Teams) and your ability to embrace and respond to change while maintaining focus on beneficial outcomes.
Please refer to the below documents for a detailed outline of the role.
