- Account Management & Recovery:
- Investigate, update, and reconcile Council Tax and NNDR accounts.
- Take appropriate recovery actions in line with departmental guidelines to maximize revenue and meet targets.
- Enforcement & Legal Representation:
- Represent the Council in court proceedings and prepare legal paperwork for committal orders, charging orders, and related actions.
- Be available and prepared to attend court as required, exercising sound judgment on adjournments, withdrawals, or referrals.
- Liaison & Coordination:
- Collaborate with external agencies (e.g., DWP, collection agencies, employers, Citizens Advice Bureau) and internal departments to manage queries and coordinate debt recovery efforts.
- Process and log cases returned uncollected by enforcement agents, initiating follow-up actions as defined by departmental procedures.
- Technical & Advisory Support:
- Utilize IT systems—including the Academy system—to conduct credit checks, trace accounts, and detect potential fraud.
- Provide guidance, training, and support to colleagues and temporary staff on recovery procedures and systems.
- Customer Engagement & Payment Negotiation:
- Manage enquiries from debtors and negotiate payment arrangements at various stages of the recovery process, demonstrating flexibility when addressing vulnerability, poverty, or hardship.
- Establish and maintain formal links with major and regular debtors to resolve queries and expedite account settlements.
- Continuous Improvement & Compliance:
- Contribute to the Council’s improvement initiatives, ensuring all recovery activities align with our operational guidelines and the Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency.
- Maintain accurate records and prepare statistical reports to inform future recovery strategies.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Essential: Ability to effectively use the Academy system for Council Tax and NNDR management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, with the capability to adapt quickly to various IT systems.
- Knowledge & Experience:
- Broad knowledge of Council Tax legislation is a must.
- Demonstrable experience in the Council Tax and Business Rates sector.
- Familiarity with business rates is a benefit.
- Ideally, an IRRV qualification will complement your experience.
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills:
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to manage complex and occasionally contentious recovery cases effectively.
- Flexibility & Availability:
- Must be able to attend court proceedings as required.
- Must be willing and able to work in the office from time to time at our Hammersmith office (W6).