Team Manager

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A major city council in the UK is seeking a motivated Team Manager for their Benefits Service. The successful candidate will administer complex Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support assessments while leading a team to ensure high-quality service delivery. They will possess strong legislative knowledge and experience in housing benefits, while promoting a culture of inclusivity and efficiency in the department. The role offers a supportive working environment focused on community improvement.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in administration of Council Tax billing and benefits processes.
• Contribute ideas for efficiency improvements.
• Confidence in legislative matters related to housing benefits.

Responsibilities

• Administer complex Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support assessments.
• Lead and manage a team of Benefit Officers.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Develop and implement new working methods.

Skills

Proactive and customer-focused approach

Experience with complex housing benefit issues

Knowledge of current legislation

Ability to motivate and empower a team

Tools

RBIS

DM360 document management system

Job description

Overview

An exciting permanent opportunity has arisen for a motivated, outcome driven and dynamic person to join the Benefits Service as a Team Manager. The post holder will assist the Processing Team Operations and Sector Manager in providing a high-quality service which ensures the Benefit Service meets its statutory and legal requirements. The purpose of this post is to administer complex Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support assessment, ensuring a high standard of quality and accuracy of work. The role has arisen due to demand within the Benefits Service and will essentially support the high volume of applications, correspondence and enquiries coming into the department. The Team Manager will ensure that all work undertaken is in accordance with law, regulations and guidelines and handled as promptly and efficiently as possible. The role will require the ideal candidate/s to have worked within housing benefits and be confident in legislative matters within housing and council tax benefits. You will also lead, manage, and further develop your team of Benefit Officers including carrying out 121\'s, appraisals, work allocation, team meetings and manage performance and attendance to achieve Service Plan targets and outcomes. You will use your knowledge and experience to give general direction to all members of the team, promote and directly champion a culture where all staff are valued and feel part of a culture of openness and inclusivity. You will ideally have experience in the following:

Responsibilities

• A proactive and customer-focused approach to resolving queries.
• Some experience of using RBIS and DM360 document management system or similar.
• Handling complex housing benefit and council tax support issues.
• Understand the impact that all assessments, accuracy and overpayments have on subsidy.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge and awareness of current legislation, policy and guidance relating to Council Tax, Housing Benefits and Local Council Tax Support.
• Ensuring that their team has a full working knowledge of relevant legislation and IT applications to enable the efficient carrying out of the duties attached to the posts.
• Develop and implement new working methods and systems.
• Understand the importance of automation including the potential benefits and pitfalls associated with the increased use of automated processing.
• Initiate and change working practices to increase performance.
• Quickly assimilate and interpret complex legislation.
• Identify training needs and create training plans as part of the performance management scheme.
• Approach difficult matters such as capability and sickness in a firm but tactful manner
• Produce, collate, and analyse statistical information as required.
• Motivate, empower, and encourage a team to meet strategic and service objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Role encompasses day-to-day administration of Council Tax billing and benefits processes, with a focus on promoting efficiency and continuous improvement.
• The successful person will be expected to contribute ideas, suggestions and feedback to the Team Manager and at appropriate meetings or workshops.
• Ideal candidates will have experience in housing benefits and be confident in legislative matters within housing and council tax benefits.

About Birmingham City Council & Benefits

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it\'s about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city. The Council is a fantastic place to work, offering a challenging and supportive environment with leadership focused on excellence. The five key priorities are:

• A Prosperous Birmingham: inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: improving air quality, moving towards net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

We see the Council\'s role as providing strategic leadership and visualising a new future for the city. We aim to provide services for all, working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of decision-making. We are committed to an equitable recruitment journey, with development opportunities such as apprenticeships. Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, as this is required for shortlisting. Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer and we welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities. We offer flexible working options, DBS check where applicable, proof of right to work in the UK, and a comprehensive set of benefits including generous annual leave and a pension scheme.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).