Debt Recovery Team Leader - Cost Recovery & Expenses (Band 4/HEO)

Health and Safety Executive; Sefton; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in Sefton is seeking a Debt Recovery Manager to oversee debt collection services and lead a team. This role requires extensive management experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency in MS Office. The position offers a competitive salary of £36,235, along with benefits like a generous pension plan and flexible working options.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

25 days annual holiday plus bank holidays

Parental leave benefits

Qualifications

• Previous experience at a management level of debt collection services.
• Ability to work as part of a team and provide leadership.
• Effective communication skills to engage with stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of Debt Collection Agency activities.
• Preparation and management of litigation files for court.
• Review of aged debt for all HSE income streams.
• Line management of a team of 5 Executive Officers.

Skills

Experience in debt collection services

Leadership and initiative

Effective communication skills

Advanced MS Office skills

Strong organizational skills

Job description

Overview

The primary purpose of the role is to lead on the management of HSE's debt recovery and related activities. The role will be responsible for the delivery of HSE's Debt Strategy, working closely with the wider debt team, providing support and an escalation route for debt cases. The post will play an integral part in working with our Debt Collection Agency and Litigation partner to progress HSE cases and improve existing processes and recovery rates.

This post will require extensive knowledge transfer and training from the existing Bootle based team, which will require attendance for 3-5 days per week during the training period. It is expected that there will be ongoing face to face collaboration to ensure consistency in process and development across the various income regimes. Part time working hours are available for this role; we can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Debt Collection Agency (DCA) activity – oversight of files, review of proposed cases, contract management activity and monitoring/progressing returned cases
• Litigation activity – preparation of the referral file, including review of the cases and submission of supporting documentation, preparation of files for civil court action and contract management activity
• Review of aged debt for all HSE income streams, including attendance at debt meetings with the Deputy Director of Finance and monthly review meetings with team leads
• Responsibility for the preparation and submission of write offs and attendance at the quarterly internal review meetings
• Maintain and develop the debt application system to accommodate existing procedures and future changes resulting from business change
• Line management of a team of 5 Executive Officers
• Additional tasks/responsibilities as required

Location and travel

The post is based in Bootle with occasional travel to other locations to meet with team members, attend team meetings, etc. There may be a requirement for some overnight stays.

Behaviours and recruitment checks

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, in line with Civil Service principles. If used, all candidates will be subject to these checks.

From 23 June 2025, pre-employment checks include checking details against the Internal Fraud Hub. If an individual is on the database, employment will be refused. If you believe there has been an error, contact [e-mail]. Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found in the Internal Fraud Register privacy notice.

It is the candidate's responsibility to understand the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. For a summary, see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document. Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards in line with Civil Service guidance and union negotiations. If you require any assistance due to a disability or medical condition during the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Nationality requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities, including the Disability Confident Scheme and Redeployment Interview Scheme where applicable.

Qualifications and experience

• Previous experience at a management level of debt collection services or management of a customer service team
• Ability to work as part of a team and provide leadership with initiative to deliver quality and timely outcomes
• Effective communication skills (written and oral) to communicate with internal and external stakeholders
• Advanced MS Office skills, particularly Word and Excel
• Strong organisational and planning skills to deliver to a strict timetable

Benefits and salary

Salary: £36,235 plus employer pension contributions to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Flexible working options
• Inclusive and diverse workplace
• Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%
• Competitive pay and a wide range of Civil Service benefits (Cycle to Work, EdenRed vouchers, etc.)
• 25 days annual holiday rising to 30 days after 5 years, plus bank holidays and Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits and family-friendly policies