At a Glance
- Tasks: Support income management and assist with debt recovery for Plumlife Homes.
- Company: Join Great Places Housing Group, committed to community welfare and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your career in housing.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of housing-related debt and excellent communication skills required.
The Assistant Income Officer will support the delivery of an efficient, customer-focused income management service for Plumlife Homes. The postholder will assist with the recovery of rent, service charge, commercial, former tenant, cyclical and recharge debts, helping to achieve collection targets while maintaining tenancy sustainability and supporting residents who may be experiencing financial difficulty. The role will contribute to maximising income, improving customer satisfaction and ensuring accurate administration across income management processes.
What you'll be doing:
- Take ownership and day-to-day management of an allocated arrears patch.
- Manage commercial arrears and support timely recovery action in line with policies and procedures.
- Manage former tenant arrears for all tenures to maximise income recovery for Plumlife.
- Producing court documentation and attending court hearings.
- Produce invoices and payment demands for commercial customers where required.
- Managing virtual accounts ensuring recovery of this debt for Plumlife.
- Support the Income Officer with the recovery of current, former, cyclical and recharge debts owed to the Group, including leasehold, shared ownership, private rented and freehold accounts, in accordance with policies and procedures and under the supervision of the Income Manager.
- Provide administrative support to the Income Officer, including scanning, photocopying, processing refunds, setting up direct debits and taking payments.
- Deliver a high standard of customer service by understanding why arrears have accrued, providing a customer-focused response and ensuring vulnerable residents are offered appropriate support, with legal action used only as a last resort.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with customers by telephone, email and written correspondence.
- Maintain accurate system records, ensuring all contacts, actions and transactions are recorded promptly and correctly.
- Undertake relevant continuing professional development and complete training as directed by the Group.
What you'll need:
- Knowledge of housing-related debt and the ability to balance customer needs with the financial requirements of the organisation.
- Understanding of relevant income collection processes, including leasehold, shared ownership and private rented accounts.
- Evidence of meeting performance indicators and targets, with the ability to prioritise a varied workload effectively.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to work effectively and constructively as part of a specialist team.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to identify residents who may require debt advice or additional support and refer them to appropriate services.
- Experience of promoting services or engaging effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
What we need from you:
- IT literate, with knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong Excel skills are essential, including the ability to use mail merge.
- Ability to travel to other offices when required, including access to appropriate transport.
- A commitment to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the communities in which we work.
- We particularly value lived experience in social housing.
- A passion to advocate on behalf of people and communities.
- A commitment to work in partnership with others for the benefit of Great Places.
- A commitment to continuous learning and improvement and a willingness to work towards obtaining an IRPM qualification.
- Possession of, or desire to progress towards, a housing-related qualification such as CIH.
- Ability to work flexibly when needed.
What we give you in return for your hard work and commitment:
- Pension DC Scheme (up to 10% contribution from both colleague and Great Places).
- WPA Healthcare auto enrolled at no contribution level with £1250 of savings available - option to increase and add on family members.
- The Market Place High street, restaurant and supermarket discounts, gym memberships, cycle to work, smart tech loans and much more.
- Annual Leave Start at 26 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days within 5 years + Bank Holidays.
- Reward and Recognition You Count Rewards are individual rewards for going above and beyond.
- Help with transport We offer season ticket loans, an affordable way to purchase season tickets for public transport at discounted rates.
- Wage Stream You can access savings opportunities and early access to wages.
At Great Places we believe the wellbeing of our colleagues is vital to enable them to deliver great services. All your benefits can be used inside and outside of work. Great Places Housing Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all our colleagues to share this commitment. All successful applicant(s) will be subject to a basic criminal records background check. Further detail on our commitment to safeguarding children/young people and vulnerable adults can be found in the Great Places Housing Group Safeguarding Policy and Recruitment Policy on our website.
Closing date: 16th August 2026
Shortlist date: 17th August 2026
Interview date: TBC
Assistant Income Officer in Chorlton cum Hardy employer: Great Places Housing Association
Great Places Housing Association is an exceptional employer that prioritises community impact and employee development. With a supportive work culture in Blackpool, employees benefit from competitive salaries, opportunities for career progression, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in residents' lives. Join us to be part of a team that values empowerment and collaboration.
Contact Details:
Great Places Housing Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Income Officer in Chorlton cum Hardy
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Great Places Housing Association. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Great Places Housing Association before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Great Places Housing Association:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Great Places Housing Association specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Great Places Housing Association!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Places Housing Association
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.