Job Description
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
Recruitment Advertisement
POSITION
Revenue & Benefits Manager
CONTRACT TYPE
Permanent
PART TIME/FULL TIME
Full Time
BAND AND SCALE POINT
Band 10 SCP 36 – 40
SALARY PER ANNUM
£42,503 to £46,549 (pay award pending)
SERVICE AREA
Finance
Brief Overview
Oadby & Wigston Council are currently looking to recruit an experienced Revenue & Benefits Manager to come and join us on a permanent basis
This is a busy role that requires a hardworking, driven manager that will not only lead and evolve the team, but be willing to get stuck in themselves when and where needed! This role will report directly in to the Head of Finance.
The ideal candidate will have
- Strong previous experience of working in Revenues and Benefits in a senior role
- Extensive technical knowledge of Revenues & Benefits legislation
- Prior experience of people management
- The ability to developing & coach staff
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate both verbally and written
- Be able to complete and monitor performance statistics to ensure performance targets are met and take remedial action to support staff where necessary.
- The ability to participate and lead projects as directed by the Head of Service.
- To represent the authority at the Valuation Tribunal, appeals and court.
Please note this role will be a mix of remote working and office based working.
Our council is on a journey to achieve financial sustainability and is looking to secure its financial footing, whilst simultaneously improve our services and widen our delivery options – something that underpins our Corporate Plan.
We have an agile working culture which enables employees to work from home and flexibly to be able to balance the needs of their role and organisational requirements with their personal circumstances.
Oadby and Wigston is a great place to live, work and visit and our council is a great organisation to work for, with a great culture, we offer a competitive salary and employee benefits package. We empower our employees to be creative in how we deliver our services, and this delivers fantastic outcomes for residents, businesses, partners and visitors alike.
To apply for this role you must complete our online application form https://myaccount.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/service/OWBC_Job_Application_Form (CVS will not be accepted)
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
20 April 2023
If you have not heard from us within 14 days of your application, please assume on this occasion your application has not been successful. Feedback will not be given at this stage of the recruitment process.
JOB CONTEXT:
1. Supporting the Head of Finance to strategically carry out the corporate objectives to ensure the council’s corporate priorities are achieved.
2. Supporting the Head of Finance to ensure strategic objectives are met and that the Service Delivery Plan objectives and wider aims of the Council are delivered.
3. Continually liaise with stakeholders and partners to ensure that the service is fit for future demands.
4. Promote and maintain a culture which places customers first and aims to deliver a high standard of service.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To ensure Government returns are completed accurately and returned in a timely manner.
2. Responsible for the day to day operational management and performance of the processing teams in relation to Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and NNDR.
3. Maintain and develop enthusiastic and committed teams which promote and maintain a culture which places customers first and aims to deliver a high standard of service.
4. Ensure processing staff are suitably trained and supported to accurately update the Councils records and IT systems as well as accurately process the relevant information in relation to local taxes and benefits / Council Tax Support.
5. Deal with complex and difficult queries and complaints from customers, officers, Members, and other relevant contacts including making decision in relation to complex or contentious cases.
6. Ensure staff, structures and processes are in place to allow the service to function in accordance with regulations, policy, procedures and best practice and to support the Head of Service in the development and implementation of policy and procedures.
7. Compile and monitor performance statistics to ensure performance targets are met and take remedial action to support staff where necessary.
8. Analyse performance data and software upgrades to identify training needs and provide training and support to meet those needs.
9. Keep staff up to date with changes in regulations and legislation, assimilate and interpret these and advise and train staff accordingly.
10. Be responsible for the provision of relevant information and work with auditors to enable internal and external audits to be successfully completed on time.
11. Liaise with outside bodies to agree Service Level Agreements and working practices, and monitor to ensure standards are being delivered.
12. Ensure that annual timetables for cyclical work such as discounts and exemptions reviews are set up and implemented.
13. Ensure accurate and timely decisions are made in relation to local taxes and benefits.
14. Participate and lead projects as directed by the Head of Service.
15. Represent the authority at the Valuation Tribunal, appeals and court.
16. To promote a culture that prevents, deters and detects fraud and error.
17. Promote and maintain a culture which places customers first and aims to deliver a high standard of service
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOURCES:
1. The post holder is responsible for the management of permanent and temporary staff.
2. The post holder will be required to ensure that any data systems under his/her control are kept secure and properly managed.
KEY FUNCTIONAL LINKS WITH:
Internal: Allemployees of the Council and Elected Members.
External: Residents of the Borough the General Public, other Local Authorities, external suppliers and consultants, and other external bodies, partnerships and organisations as required.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT
1. The post is situated within the Main Council Offices. However, you may be required to work from other sites and places within the Borough where your professional attendance is required.
2. The post holder may be required on occasion to work outside normal working hours to attend meetings or other occasions when your professional attendance is required.
3. The post is designated an casual car user allowance.
4. The Council will pay your subscription fee to one professional organisation annually.
5. This post is designated as politically sensitive within the meaning of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
6. The post holder will be required to sign Character and Confidentiality Declarations prior to using the Customer Information System (CIS) as required by the Department for Work and Pensions.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. This job description outlines the main duties of the post but does not exclude other duties, which may be undertaken to ensure the efficient operation of the department. Other duties required will be consistent with those listed above and appropriate to the title and grade of the post.
2. Ensure equality of opportunity for all people, in service provision and in employment, and to work in a non discriminatory manner in accordance with the Council’s Equality Agenda, pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
3. Comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Human Rights Act and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, or any amendment or any statutory re-enactment thereof at all times.
4. To take all necessary steps in order to ensure that information acquired through their employment or contained within the Council is kept confidential.
5. This job description is a record as at the date below. Any changes to the job description will be carried out in consultation with the post holder, who will be expected to participate fully in such discussions. It is the Council’s aim to reach a mutual agreement to reasonable changes but if this is not possible the Council reserves the right to implement reasonable changes to the job description after consultation with the post holder.
6. Carry out all duties outlined above in accordance with all Council Policies and procedures.
7. To carry out any additional duties (as and when required) outside of the post holders duties to assist the Council in the operation and promotion of its business.
Qualifications and Processional or Vocational qualifications
Essential
2 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above to include English Language and Mathematics
Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience
Desirable
IRRV qualification
Management related qualification
Relevant experience and knowledge
Essential
Minimum 3 years' experience working in a senior role within a Revenues & Benefits environment
Experience of performance monitoring and management
Extensive technical knowledge of Revenues & Benefits legislation and of developments in Government thinking and strategy in this area.
Extensive knowledge of different operational models for delivering Revenues & Benefits services.
Experience of managing, coaching and developing staff
Experience of dealing with a wide variety of stakeholders to promote the Council’s services
Experience of presenting appeals to the Valuation Tribunal and Her Majesty’s
Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
Experience of working with auditors
Working knowledge and understanding of the Data Protection principles
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
Experience of using an electronic document management system (EDRMS)
Proven experience of managing change and engaging and supporting staff through the process
Desirable
Experience of using Academy Revenues and Benefits system
Experience of using IDOX document management system
Experience of report writing
Experience of delivering informal training sessions
Skills and Abilities
Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
Demonstrates tact, professionalism, discretion and confidentiality at all times
Well organised, enthusiastic, self reliant and able to work on own motivation and to meet challenging deadlines
Able to lead and make difficult decisions
Positive and flexible in approach
Highly motivated
Promotes a commitment to equalities
Other
Essential
To demonstrate and promote the Council’s Vision and Values
Desirable
Valid driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £42,503.00-£46,549.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexitime
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Wellness programme
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Leicester