Debt Recovery Advisor

Corporate Services Revenues and Benefits Debt Recovery Advisor Ref: 001327 Contract: Fixed Term (18 months) Salary: £25,989 - £28,142 per annum (Grade 3) Hours: 36.66 per week Location: Oldham Council Offices, Spindles Shopping Centre, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD Closing Date: Thursday 2nd April 2026 Interview Date: TBC.

Role Overview: Working within Oldham Council's debt recovery team to effectively collect and enforce payment of Council Tax, Business Rates, and Sundry debt to ensure debts are promptly and efficiently collected.

Key Responsibilities:

• Proactively negotiate with debtors by outbound/inbound telephone calling, in person, or by written communication, to secure the prompt payment.
• Prompt and efficient administration of attachment of earnings orders, benefit deductions, payment plans.
• Provide efficient day-to-day administrative support to Enforcement Agents, in person or by telephone, to enable the prompt collection of all Council debts.
• Assist with answering and dealing with telephone calls and providing accurate information and updating accounts accordingly.

Key Requirements:

• Be able to confidently and effectively communicate with customers who are in arrears and effectively negotiate a suitable outcome to recover the money.
• Be able to communicate with customers, set up arrangements and manage their accounts to conclusion.
• Someone who is highly organised and confident in managing and responding to written correspondence in a timely, professional manner.
• You will need excellent written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to keep on top of multiple ongoing enquiries.

About Us: We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities.

Our Values and Behaviours: By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate: 'Proud, Ambitious, and Together'.

Our Benefits Package: At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years' service.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups.

Inclusive Recruitment: We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy: For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.

Important Information: Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.