At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in managing debt recovery across various portfolios and improve collection performance.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Brent, committed to fairness and community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and great pension options.
- Other info: Work in a modern civic centre with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in debt recovery and local authority environments, with strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 57150 - 60393 £ per year.
Salary - £57,150 - £60,393 (depending on experience as per the JD)
Hybrid Working - 3 days in the office
Location - Wembley Park
Your new organisation
At London Borough of Brent, finance is more than just producing the accounts - it’s about enabling transformation, safeguarding public resources, and helping shape the future of our borough. Working closely with colleagues across the council to ensure that financial insight is at the heart of decision-making. Their work is grounded in fairness, inclusion, and respect, and great pride is taken in creating a team environment where every voice is heard, and every success is celebrated. These values are not just aspirations - they are embedded in how they lead, how they support each other, and how they deliver for Brent’s communities.
Your new role
As the Debt Recovery Manager, you will provide both strategic leadership and operational management across a range of debt recovery portfolios, including Council Tax, Housing Benefit Overpayments, Adult Social Care, Business Rates and Sundry Debt. Leading a team of up to 15 officers, you will oversee day-to-day delivery, develop and implement recovery strategies, maximise income collection and improve collection performance. You will set and monitor performance targets, support and develop the team, and ensure recovery activity complies with relevant legislation and Council policies. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you will help remove barriers, improve processes and enhance the customer journey. You will also make decisions on complex and high-value cases, including legal escalation, vulnerable resident considerations and write-off recommendations.
What you need to succeed
- Experience working within, or in partnership with, local authorities, with a strong understanding of debt recovery and collection services across areas such as Business Rates, Adult Social Care, Housing Benefit Overpayments, Council Tax and Sundry Debts.
- Experience leading or managing in a local authority debt collection environment, with the ability to manage people and performance and work effectively with a diverse customer base in a challenging environment.
- Strong organisational, communication and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and legislation and make sound decisions.
- Ability to manage people and performance, including coaching and developing staff.
Benefits include
- Competitive salary
- The opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous holiday entitlements starting from 27 days' holiday a year
- A range of family friendly policies, including generous maternity and paternity entitlements and childcare schemes
- Flexible working patterns, including hybrid working
- Training and development opportunities
- Good travel links in and out of Wembley and a range of cost saving travel schemes
- Access to My Brent Rewards, our dedicated website for staff with big brand discounts and local offers
- Work at the outstanding state-of-the-art Brent Civic Centre
The closing date will be 15th November. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be identified. We therefore encourage early applications and advise candidates not to wait until the closing date to apply.
The salary quoted is the full salary range for the role. Starting salary will typically be appointed at a point within the range, with progression subject to performance and organisational policy.
Debt Recovery Manager in London employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
The London Borough of Brent is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the health of our waterways. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a tangible impact on community health and environmental sustainability in one of London's vibrant boroughs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Debt Recovery Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Debt Recovery Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
