At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to maximise income collection and support residents in Temporary Accommodation.
- Company: Birmingham City Council, committed to service excellence and transformation.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, great pension scheme, well-being support, and city centre discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and contribute to improving lives in your community.
- Why this job: Shape future service delivery while making a real difference in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in income collection and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Following a recent service review, the Temporary Accommodation Income Team has transitioned into the Rents Service within Finance. This change is designed to strengthen income collection and debt recovery arrangements across Temporary Accommodation, supporting residents to sustain licences and prevent debt escalation, while reducing the Council's overall debt exposure. The Senior Income Officer - Temporary Accommodation is responsible for maximising income collection and recovering arrears in line with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and service standards. The post holder will also lead, motivate, and develop a team of TA Income Officers, ensuring high levels of performance and service delivery.
Responsibilities
- Support the Income Manager in developing, implementing, and monitoring service work plans.
- Assist the Temporary Accommodation Income Manager to ensure the effective delivery of the Temporary Accommodation Income Service.
- Liaise with other Income Managers across the Council to promote consistency and a unified approach to income collection and arrears management.
- Provide day‑to‑day support and guidance to the team, ensuring work is completed to a high standard.
- Respond to customer demand across all service channels in accordance with policies, procedures, legal frameworks, and statutory governance.
- Prepare and contribute to performance reports and statistical information as required.
- Oversee and coordinate training for team members, including monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness.
- Respond to complex, multi‑channel enquiries from key stakeholders in a timely manner and in line with published service standards.
- Manage and monitor complex Temporary Accommodation charge accounts to ensure payments are made promptly.
- Liaise directly with residents, providing advice and support on financial matters, including benefits.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and managers to improve collection and recovery rates.
- Promote a "right first time, on time, every time" approach to income recovery and arrears case management.
- Use a range of IT systems to process requests, produce management and audit information, and maintain accurate records.
Qualifications
- Proven experience of direct line management within social housing or a comparable environment.
- Substantial experience in income collection, income maximisation, and arrears management.
- Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Sound knowledge of housing legislation, Housing Benefit, and welfare reform.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Competence in using housing management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
This is a demanding and rewarding role, requiring a balanced approach to maximising income while meeting the Council's responsibilities to support vulnerable residents. The post sits within the wider Rents Service and will play an active role in service improvement initiatives. Working alongside a team of Temporary Accommodation Income Officers, the role will help ensure General Fund income is maximised in compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, and standards. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in people management and income recovery within a social housing context, with a clear understanding of housing legislation as it relates to homelessness and Temporary Accommodation. You will be confident in applying welfare reform and housing support regulations to support effective income management. As a newly developing team, this is an exciting opportunity to help shape future service delivery and contribute to the Council's long‑term commitment to service excellence and transformation.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
Benefits
In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well‑being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.
Finance & Support Officer in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, the Council offers numerous growth opportunities, competitive benefits including generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme, and a focus on employee well-being. Working in Birmingham, you will be part of a dynamic team that plays a crucial role in enhancing service delivery and supporting vulnerable residents, making your work both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance & Support Officer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and housing sectors, especially those who work at Birmingham City Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Rents Service and its recent changes. Show us that you understand their goals and how your skills can help them achieve success in income collection and debt recovery.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves liaising with residents and stakeholders, being able to clearly explain complex financial matters is key. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance & Support Officer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Finance & Support Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Provide examples of your experience in income collection and team management. We want to see how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing legislation, income collection, and arrears management. Familiarise yourself with the specific policies and procedures relevant to the role, as this will show that you're serious about the position and understand the challenges involved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since the role involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your experience in people management. Think of examples where you've motivated a team or improved performance. Highlighting your ability to support and develop others will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess how you'd handle complex enquiries or manage competing priorities. Prepare some scenarios from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar challenges, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't forget that interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, service improvement initiatives, and how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
