At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a large team in managing Revenues and Benefits, ensuring compliance and financial stability.
- Company: High-performing local authority focused on service transformation and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunity to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and collaboration with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Drive change and innovation in a vital public service role with significant responsibilities.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior-level experience in Revenues and Benefits and strong leadership skills.
My high performing local authority is looking to recruit an Interim Head of Revenues and Benefits to lead and develop its large team as well as overseeing the full scope of statutory Revenues and Benefits functions including Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefits, Local Council Tax Support and the Council’s Corporate Fraud Team. This is a senior leadership role with a strong focus on the Collection Fund, policy development and service transformation. The successful candidate will act as the Council’s lead expert on Revenues and Benefits legislation, advising senior leadership and driving performance, compliance and financial stability across a large and complex service.
The Role
- Lead and manage the Council’s Revenues and Benefits service, overseeing c90 staff across multiple teams delivering Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefits, Local Council Tax Support and Corporate Fraud.
- Take strategic responsibility for the Collection Fund, ensuring effective billing, collection and financial control across Council Tax and Business Rates.
- Oversee the administration and delivery of Housing Benefits and Local Council Tax Support, ensuring support is targeted to vulnerable residents and statutory requirements are met.
- Oversee the administration of discretionary schemes including housing payments and council tax 13a (1) (c) hardship payments and business rate reliefs.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, government policy and regulatory requirements across Revenues and Benefits services.
- Act as the Council’s lead advisor to senior leadership, including the s151 Officer, on all Revenues and Benefits matters, strategy and performance.
- Lead on system re‑procurement and digital transformation, ensuring systems support efficient, automated and customer‑focused service delivery.
- Lead financial monitoring, forecasting and reporting, supporting budget management, audit requirements and government returns.
- Develop and embed performance frameworks to monitor productivity, mitigate risk, prevent fraud and drive continuous service improvement.
- Build and maintain strong internal and external partnerships, representing the Council at senior level and driving collaborative working.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation to enhance service delivery and resident outcomes.
- Deputise for senior leadership and contribute to corporate priorities, strategy and cross‑council initiatives.
Key Requirements
- Extensive experience operating at senior level within a Revenues and Benefits service in a local authority or similar environment.
- Strong expertise in Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefits and income collection, including Collection Fund management.
- Proven experience leading large, multi‑disciplinary teams and delivering high‑performing services.
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, regulation and government policy relating to Revenues and Benefits.
- Experience overseeing or leading system implementation or re‑procurement within a Revenues and Benefits environment.
- Demonstrable experience improving collection rates, service performance and customer outcomes.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing large budgets, forecasting and audit processes.
- Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships, including senior leadership, members and external partners.
- Excellent leadership, communication and strategic thinking skills.
- Ability to drive service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.
This is an interim role with a rate of £550 to £650 a day inside IR35. The role offers hybrid working arrangements with 1 day a month needed in the office.
Head of Revenues & Benefits in England employer: Morgan Law
Join our high-performing local authority as the Interim Head of Revenues and Benefits, where you will lead a dedicated team in a supportive and collaborative work environment. We prioritise employee growth through continuous learning and innovation, offering flexible hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. With a strong focus on service transformation and community impact, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference while advancing your career in local governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Revenues & Benefits in England
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Revenues & Benefits in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan Law
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Morgan Law.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Morgan Law that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
