Rent Arrears Recovery Lead

Brief Description of job role and department Leading a team of Rent Arrears and Recovery & Enforcement Officers to maximise income collection and minimise arrears level across all tenancy tenures, whilst delivering an excellent customer focussed service. As the Rent Arrears Recovery Lead Officer the post holder will be working within the Shared Finance Service, Housing Income & Financial Inclusion Team to administer, collect and recover Housing Rent for Kingston Council. The Shared Finance Service ambition is to add value, inspire success and this role is part of the Shared Finance Service (SFS) team collectively responsible for delivering SFS activities to realise this ambition. Representative accountabilities Deliver advice and guidance in a broad area of expertise to ensure customer needs are met. Identify and implement improvements in your own work area in order to deliver continuous service improvement and improved outcomes to customers. Regularly communicate with internal customers to share information and build working relationships to support collaborative working. Keep up to date with changes in relevant policy and legislation to ensure delivery in your own work area is effective and complies with appropriate regulations/statutory guidance. Budgetary accountabilities None Specific accountabilities Functional Responsibilities: To proactively keep up to date with changing benefit entitlement affecting Council tenants and to provide a high level of counselling support & advocacy for tenants on the availability of and how to apply for various additional sources of income, including Housing Benefit, Tax Credits, Child Benefit etc. Manage a team of staff to ensure they are delivering services within agreed standards. To lead and set an example to direct reports in accordance with the PRIDE values and corporate vision To provide cover for the Rent Arrears Recovery Lead Officer (TA) Essential Knowledge and/or Experience Experience of working within Housing rent recovery and enforcement Experience of working with multiple agencies to deliver services to customers Experience of working in a customer focused environment and achieving successful outcomes in the delivery of services that meet customer needs Experience in working to tight deadlines and as part of a team A minimum of 5 GCSEs (including English & Maths) or equivalent Desirable Knowledge and Experience Experience of leading or providing financial support to change programs and business improvement initiatives Educated to Degree Level