Debt Recovery Lead – Local Authority (Hybrid)

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

LGPS pension

Health and wellbeing

Volunteer opportunities

Annual leave 28 days

Job summary

Somerset County Council is seeking a Senior Recovery Officer to lead the day-to-day delivery of the Recovery Team, overseeing recovery activity across Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Sundry Debts. You will manage complex cases and support Recovery Officers while working with the Recovery Manager to drive performance.

The role focuses on delivering fair, supportive services to customers, developing staff, and improving outcomes for the council and the community in

Qualifications

• Experience in debt recovery within a local authority or public sector environment.
• Experience leading, supervising or developing staff within a recovery or revenues service.
• Strong knowledge of recovery legislation, enforcement processes and debt collection best practice.
• Experience dealing with complex cases and supporting vulnerable customers.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on delivering results and improving performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee recovery of unpaid debts across council services.
• Manage complex and sensitive recovery cases with support for vulnerable customers.
• Supervise Recovery Officers, promoting a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Act as senior contact for escalated customer enquiries, complaints and disputes.
• Work with enforcement agents and partner organisations to achieve positive outcomes for customers and the council.
• Monitor performance and drive service improvement.

Skills

Debt recovery experience

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical thinking

Job description

Somerset County Council is seeking a Senior Recovery Officer to lead the day-to-day delivery of the Recovery Team, overseeing recovery activity across Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Sundry Debts. You will manage complex cases and support Recovery Officers while working with the Recovery Manager to drive performance.

The role focuses on delivering fair, supportive services to customers, developing staff, and improving outcomes for the council and the community in