At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with the community and manage heritage buildings while delivering excellent customer service.
- Company: Sutton Council, a forward-thinking local authority committed to community engagement.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, professional development, and discounts on local services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working in a vibrant cultural environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for heritage; experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Salary Basis: Per annum
Enhancements/Additional Payments: 1 Saturday in 2 uplift
Leave Entitlement: 26 days
Application Deadline: 03/04/2025, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s): TBC
About the Borough:
In Sutton, there is much for us to be proud of both as a council and as a borough. This includes high levels of resident satisfaction, the quality of our services, our success in addressing our financial challenges to date, the way that we involve and engage with residents on key issues facing the borough, and the enthusiastic and motivated staff that we employ.
Looking ahead, there are plans for the delivery of new homes and new schools and the London Cancer Hub is being developed, while the Council is also seen as a driving force within the South London Partnership of five outer south west London boroughs focused on strategic growth, regeneration and investment.
All of this demonstrates a good track record and an authority that is ambitious and set to deliver more improvements for the borough. We’ve set out our vision for the future of Sutton in our corporate plan - Ambitious for Sutton. This strategic plan will shape the outcomes we achieve, the services we provide, and the impact we have on residents, to make Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Situated in Zone 5, Sutton is less than 30 minutes by train from central London, and south and south west London are easily accessible by public transport. There are 10 train stations which serve key neighbourhoods within the borough providing direct connections to London Victoria, London Bridge, London Blackfriars and St Pancras International. Sutton also has direct rail connections with Epsom, Dorking, Guildford and Horsham, as well as Wimbledon for an interchange with the London Underground and West Croydon for the London Overground. There’s also an extensive road network which provides close and easy access to the M25 and M23.
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate:
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Sutton Council's Cultural Services team for a Customer Service Officer with a focus on supporting our Heritage Service. Working closely under the direction of the Heritage Service, you will be responsible for delivering frontline objectives around service development, public engagement and volunteering, and the day-to-day management of Sutton's heritage buildings.
You must be a team player and have excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with a diverse range of customers, volunteers, partner agencies and other council departments. You will be an ambassador for providing excellent customer care, as well as help to deliver events and activities that increase engagement.
You will be required to handle customer information records in accordance with data protection and information governance procedures. You will need to be confident in using IT for your own work and in helping volunteers use IT specialist equipment, systems and software. You will make the heritage houses a welcoming and vibrant place that people want to use and enjoy. Flexibility is key as you will be asked to cover at any of the heritage houses across the borough, and shifts will include weekends.
The role requires a degree of multi-tasking and working under pressure during busy times. This role is not a traditional customer service role and no two days are the same. A Heritage qualification or Heritage experience will be an advantage. Working pattern required is Every Thursday, Friday and alternative Saturdays.
About Us:
Sutton Council's Cultural Services is made up of a network of eight public libraries, three heritage houses and a year-round cultural programme for all ages. Cultural Services provide a key part of community life in Sutton, supporting everything from early years development, digital literacy and community activities, to study space, cultural celebrations and access to Council services. Sutton Council's Cultural Framework sets out the Council's ambition to expand cultural activity in Sutton, supporting the Borough's approach to developing place, economic growth and community cohesion.
Our Offer To You:
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps. Our Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme embraces new ways of working. It provides improved work life balance for our staff as it allows staff to work from a variety of locations and staff are not required to work within the office 5 days a week.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
- General Council Flexi-time (Please note, this applies to roles at grades 1-9 only)
- Public Health Service Localised Flexi-time Scheme - accrual of up to 5 days per year
- Three volunteering days per year in Sutton
- Comprehensive learning and development programme
- Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Car parking scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Zip car scheme
- Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
- Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
- Subsidised gym membership
Application Process:
Please apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please ensure you refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application.
To support our diversity agenda and reduce the risk of bias in our recruitment activities, our short listing process completely anonymises personal information that can identify job applicants e.g. name, title etc. Our hiring managers review and short list applications based on the information provided as part of your application as to how well you meet the requirements and criteria for the role, as outlined in the job profile.
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Additional Information:
We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming Borough and we aim to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve - the key highlights from our recent Equalities Workforce Report can be seen here. We are respectful of difference and realise the positive value of diversity in our workforce. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. As part of our Disability Confident Committed status, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.
We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda.
The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Customer Service Officer (Heritage) in London employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
The London Borough of Sutton is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and community engagement. As a Dance Enrichment Tutor, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of learners with special educational needs, while enjoying a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation. With a commitment to quality assurance and a vibrant curriculum, you will be part of a team dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes in a diverse and inclusive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Officer (Heritage) in London
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON. 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 LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Officer (Heritage) in London
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 LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON 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 LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON!
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
✨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.
