Service Charge Officer

CIH International Housing Group; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working 2–3 days in office

26 days annual leave

9% pension contributions

Health care plans

Job summary

LiveWest is seeking a Service Charge Officer with experience in housing service charges and a finance background. You will ensure budgets are set accurately and annual accounts are produced on time, while providing guidance to colleagues on service charge matters.

You will communicate with customers, handle queries and deliver expert advice to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements. The role includes setting up new schemes and supporting teams across the business, with

Qualifications

• Experience in improving customer satisfaction and working in customer service environments.
• Ability to manage, review and collect up to date information to assist in completing accurate accounts and budget setting.
• Excellent customer service skills across various communication methods.

Responsibilities

• Set and account for service charges for new and existing properties.
• Follow consultation procedures to ensure full income recovery.
• Provide technical, legal and administrative support on service charges to meet regulatory requirements.

Skills

Customer service

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

HNC/CIH qualification (desirable)

Tools

Purchase orders

Invoicing

Job description

About The Role

Do you have experience with Service Charges in a housing environment? Do you have a finance background? Are you good with numbers, spreadsheets and can provide excellent customer service? Then this is the role for you.

As a Service Charge Officer, you will ensure that accurate service charge budgets are set and annual accounts are accurately produced within the legal timeframes. You will be involved in setting up new schemes within your patch and will communicate with customers who have queries regarding any aspect of the service charge and will provide supporting documents, guidance and supporting information when requested.

You will provide technical and professional expertise, advice and assistance to all areas of the business to help fulfil their role in line with legislative and regulatory requirements in all areas related to Service Charges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure accurate setting and accounting of service charges for all new and existing properties and customers.
• Ensure correct consultation procedures are followed in relation to raising and altering service charges to ensure full recovery of income.
• Deliver customer focussed technical, legal and administrative support and advice on service charges to enable colleagues to deliver joined up, tenure-blind customer focussed services to LiveWest customers which meet legal and regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• Complete annual residents service charge meetings when requested by our customers.

Why Join LiveWest?

At LiveWest, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages both professional and personal growth. By joining our Service Charge team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective management of service charges, directly contributing to the financial wellbeing of our properties and the satisfaction of our customers. Your work will have a lasting, positive impact on both the organisation and the community.

This role is being offered on a full time, permanent basis, working 37 hours per week. Hybrid working is available for this role, working 2 - 3 days per week in our Tolvaddon, Exeter or Weston-super-Mare office, dependent on business need.

For further information, please view our candidate information pack.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Service Charge Officer, you will have the essential skills and experience for a level 1 role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

• Customer Satisfaction: Experience in improving customer satisfaction and working in customer service environments.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage, review and collect up to date information to assist in completing accurate accounts and budget setting.
• Communication: Excellent customer service skills across various communication methods.
• Desirable: Knowledge of social housing policy and experience in related professions.
• Desirable: Experience using purchase order and invoicing.
• Relevant Qualifications: HNC/CIH qualification (desirable) or equivalent experience.
• Desirable: Valid UK/EU driving licence and access to a vehicle to enable travel to our various schemes and offices when required.

Please note: You will be required to evidence your knowledge, understanding and experience of service charges at interview.

This role is not eligible for CoS. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the role without requiring a CoS.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits:

• Working Style: Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance.
• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions: Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks: Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development: Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support: Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters: Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel: Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back: Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us:

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.