Benefits Service Manager

Lewisham Youth Service; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension scheme

Flexible working

Season ticket and bicycle loans

Staff discounts

Job summary

Lewisham Council is seeking a Senior Benefit Service Manager to lead Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and associated discretionary schemes, ensuring efficient, accurate services in a complex, fast-paced environment.

You will manage high‑performing teams, monitor performance data, interpret legislation and drive service transformation to deliver top‑quartile outcomes and a positive customer experience.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and welfare reform.
• Extensive / in-depth knowledge of Housing Benefit legislation, including Support Exempt Accommodation (SEA).
• Extensive knowledge of subsidy work, audits (both internal and external), overpayments and other complex casework.
• Proven experience managing high-volume Benefits operations.
• Strong track record of improving service performance and efficiency.
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams.
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement operational change.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and associated discretionary schemes.
• Manage high-performing teams responsible for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and related services.
• Ensure services are delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with legislation and corporate priorities.
• Support transformation and customer experience to achieve top quartile performance in a changing welfare landscape.

Job description

• Locations 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU, GB
• Job Schedule Full time

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

The Revenues and Benefits Department is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Benefit Service Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction services within a complex and fast-paced environment.

We are looking for a candidate who can bring:

• Proven experience managing and motivating large teams, delivering high performance and continuous service improvement
• Strong analytical and performance management skills, including the ability to monitor targets, analyse data, and produce clear management insights
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence in influencing, presenting, and working across partners and senior management

What’s the role?

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Benefit Service Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of our Benefits service.

You will manage high-performing teams responsible for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and associated discretionary schemes, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with legislation and corporate priorities.

This is a key leadership role with responsibility for service performance, transformation and customer experience, supporting the service to achieve top quartile performance and adapt to an evolving welfare landscape.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a candidate who can bring:

• Extensive knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and welfare reform
• Extensive / in-depth knowledge of Housing Benefit legislation, including Support Exempt Accommodation (SEA)
• Extensive knowledge of subsidy work, audits (both internal and external), overpayments and other complex casework
• Proven experience managing high-volume Benefits operations
• Strong track record of improving service performance and efficiency
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement operational change
• Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

The job is subject to a basic DBS check

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available atwww.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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