Head of Service Revenues and Benefits

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Swindon is seeking a strategic lead for their Revenues and Benefits Services on a 3-4 month contract. The role requires a senior manager with extensive knowledge in the sector and the ability to lead and improve services focused on high-quality delivery and financial accountability.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge in Revenues & Benefits sector required.
• Senior management skills to drive services and strategic direction.
• Proven experience in developing partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council’s Revenues and Benefits Services.
• Formulate and monitor adherence to Council Policy.
• Manage contractors and personnel involved in revenue services.

Skills

Senior management experience

Knowledge in Revenues & Benefits

Financial management knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent relevant experience

Institute of Revenues and Rating Qualification

Job description

Contract | CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD | United Kingdom

Posted On 18/06/2025

Job Information

Interim & Executive Management

City Swindon

Province Wiltshire

Postal Code SN1

Job Description

3-4 months contract with a local authority

Job Purpose

• This role is the strategic and operational lead on all matters relating to the Revenues and Benefits Service encompassing Council Tax, Non Domestic Business Rates, and Housing Benefits. Ensuring that the customer is at the heart of our services. Delivering high-performing, well-managed Revenues and Benefits services and that the Council’s policy objectives in relation to Revenues and Benefits are determined and met.
  

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Council’s Lead technical expert on all matters relating to Council Tax, Business Rates & Benefits
  
• Help formulate Council Policy in relation to these Services, working with Councillors (and having delegated powers directly from Councillors) and monitor adherence to policy
  
• Appoint, monitor and contract manage contractors who run much of the Council Tax, Business Rates & Benefits Service
  
• Appoint, monitor and manage other agents and staff who help in the billing, appropriation and collection and maximisation of the Council’s income (External collection Agents, Rates finding Agent, Cashiering, banking, Invoicing & Credit Control functions)
  
• Ensure all central government returns are completed correctly and on time (Benefits Subsidy returns are necessary to achieve approx. £40 million per annum and Council Tax and Business Rate returns ensure the correct accounting of over £300 million of income per annum).
  

Essential Experience Required

• Wide breadth of senior management experience and extensive knowledge in the Revenues & Benefits sector
  
• Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent experience relevant to the role description
  
• Full Institute of Revenues and Rating Qualification
  
• Experience of developing synergies and partnerships within organisations and with external partners
  
• General senior management skills to drive services and ensure the strategic direction of the Council is effected on a value added basis and motivational style
  
• Significant financial knowledge of managing high value budgets
  
• Requires ability to produce written communication to customers, reports to Directors, Corporate Board and Members and be able to compile and negotiate Service Level agreements.
  
• Ideally educated to Degree level and or possess an Institute of Revenues Rating & Valuation (IRRV) qualification or Snr Manager/specialist experience in the field of Revenue and Bens.
  

Additional information to note

• Working hours: 37 hours per week.
  
• Location: Civic Campus, Euclid Street, Swindon