At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver top-notch customer service and support fellow Advisors.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council, dedicated to serving the community with care and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, generous holiday entitlement, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your skills in a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service roles is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 27803 - 38923 £ per year.
Are you a champion of excellent customer service? If you put customers’ first, and support, facilitate and motivate staff to do their best for the people of Sheffield, we have an exciting opportunity for you as a Senior Advisor in the council’s Contact Centre.
The role holder will help facilitate the provision of a timely customer-driven service:
- Respond appropriately to customer enquiries by telephone, post and electronic communications.
- Provide in-depth repairs subject knowledge support and training to Advisors.
- Support Team Leaders.
- Coach, mentor and support Customer Service Advisors.
- Provide constructive feedback to Customer Service Advisors.
- Work with colleagues within Customer Services and other council services to maintain and improve our service to customers.
- Seek opportunities to improve ways of working and communication.
The positions we have available are as follows. Please specify within your application which position you wish to apply for:
- Housing Contact Centre – 22 hours per week – between 8am – 5.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
- Revenues & Benefits (Council Tax & Benefits) Contact Centre - 37 hours per week - between 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday
- Out of Hours Contact Centre – 15 hours per week (15:30 – 23:30 Saturday & Sunday)
For the Housing and Revenues & Benefits positions, experience of working in these roles is essential. Our Out of Hours service deals with a variety of calls from some of our most vulnerable customers, working alongside our Adults and Children’s Social Workers, as well as dealing with homeless callers and emergency repairs.
Successful candidates for the Revenues & Benefits and Out of Hours positions will be required to complete a Basic DBS check. Most members of our Contact Centre team – once trained - will be substantially home based although some attendance at our Sheffield city centre office is required.
Full induction and job training will be provided at our city centre office to ensure you feel confident and knowledgeable to answer or find the answer to any query, and support is always on hand to refer to.
As you will be required as a regular and intrinsic part of your role, to speak to members of the public in English, you must be able to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
The positions are permanent, the council has generous holiday entitlement, and the starting salary is £27,803 per year for a full-time post. The Out of Hours position does attract pay enhancements. If appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Although this position is within the Contact Centre, the Senior Advisor role is a generic one within Customers Services and the role holder could be asked to join other teams in future. We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve.
We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
This role is a great way to start or continue your career with Sheffield City Council. Join a diverse, focussed, supportive, and friendly team. Work with different council services, support and enable a great team of Advisors, help customers request services, and refer to and get to know colleagues across the council.
To find out more or ask any questions about the role, feel free to email.
Senior Customer Service Advisor employer: Sheffield City Council
Contact Detail:
Sheffield City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Customer Service Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific services offered by the Housing and Revenues & Benefits teams. Understanding the nuances of these areas will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in customer service, especially in similar roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled challenging situations or improved service delivery in past positions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your coaching and mentoring skills during the interview. Think of instances where you've supported colleagues or improved team performance, as this aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of a Senior Customer Service Advisor.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the council's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment, as this is a key focus for the organisation and will resonate well with the interviewers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Customer Service Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service, particularly in roles similar to the Senior Customer Service Advisor position. Emphasise any coaching or mentoring experience you have, as well as your ability to handle customer enquiries effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for excellent customer service and how you can contribute to the council's mission. Mention specific examples of how you've supported colleagues or improved customer service in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills that align with the job description, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. If you have experience with vulnerable customers or in a contact centre environment, make sure to include that.
Specify Your Position Preference: Since there are multiple positions available, be sure to specify which role you are applying for in your application. This shows attention to detail and helps the hiring team process your application more efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheffield City Council
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As a Senior Customer Service Advisor, your ability to provide excellent customer service is crucial. Be prepared to share specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully resolved customer issues or improved service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
Since the role involves coaching and mentoring other Advisors, highlight any previous leadership or training experiences. Discuss how you've motivated team members and contributed to their development.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Council Services
Research the various services offered by the council, especially those related to Housing and Revenues & Benefits. Being knowledgeable about these areas will show your commitment and readiness to support customers effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you adapt your communication style to suit different audiences, especially when dealing with vulnerable customers or complex enquiries.