At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic customer service team and drive for results while inspiring excellence.
- Company: Join Taylor & Francis, a leading academic publishing group with a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and additional perks like volunteering days.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer satisfaction while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Previous customer service leadership experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36450 - 44550 £ per year.
Full-time position at Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa Business. This key role will work from home and from our offices in Oxfordshire 3 days a week. You will lead by example to encourage and inspire others to provide excellent customer service in line with best practice and company policy and procedures. The position reports to the Customer Service Manager and will work as part of a global Customer Service team, collaborating to manage day-to-day business processes and customer workflows liaising with other departments where appropriate.
Investigating and driving forward the implementation of process improvements to improve customer satisfaction, first time resolution, and reduce customer effort will be a key requirement. The successful candidate should have demonstrable previous Customer Service leadership experience covering a variety of CS processes and including management of complex/challenging customer issues.
Responsibilities will include:
- Leading by example to encourage and inspire others to provide excellent customer service in line with best practice and company policy and procedures.
- Promoting teamwork & collaboration to effectively achieve individual, team and departmental objectives, sharing knowledge and skills.
- Provide support within own team and to other teams as required.
- Taking ownership of complex/escalated customer queries through to resolution, striving to increase customer satisfaction/first time resolution and reduce the need for customers to contact.
- Managing workload, reviewing capacity globally and in collaboration with the management team ensuring your team/department handles day-to-day priorities and department objectives.
- Recruiting new team members.
- Providing support, training and coaching to members of the team.
- Facilitating meetings and delivering presentations.
- Proactively creating and developing improvement ideas and driving forward the implementation of those ideas to improve customer satisfaction, reduce queries, increase productivity or reduce costs.
- Managing monthly reporting and other performance reports to ensure they are compiled and cascaded by agreed deadlines.
Knowledge and Qualifications:
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office and systems used within Customer Service systems (ideally SAP and Salesforce) with expertise to train new team members.
- Demonstrable previous Customer Service experience in an office environment covering a variety of CS processes and including management of complex/challenging customer issues.
- Experience of encouraging others to work to KPI’s/SLA’s.
- Experience of managing projects, engaging contributors at all levels.
- Proven evidence of your ability to supervise colleagues with experience of encouraging others to work to Service Level Agreements and CS metrics.
- Ideally, understanding and experience using Lean 6 Sigma methodology.
Additional information:
- An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic, flexible working culture and hybrid working from home and office.
- 25 days annual leave per year plus an extra day off each year for your birthday.
- 3 additional discretionary days for Christmas each year.
- 4 paid volunteering days each year.
- Employee assistance programme - Offering 24/7 well-being support.
- Share Match - Plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares.
- Life assurance, plus optical and medical care.
This role will be balanced, with 3 days per week being office based. You will therefore need to be based within a commutable distance of our office in Milton Park, Oxfordshire. You must have the right to live and work in the UK.
At Taylor & Francis we care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring to Taylor & Francis are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities, and to innovate and develop in areas which you are passionate about.
If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis, we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and contribute regardless of their identity or background.
Customer Service Team Lead (7 month secondment) in Milton employer: Taylor And Francis
At Taylor & Francis, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a flexible working culture that promotes a healthy work/life balance. Our Blackfriars, London office fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth and development in the academic publishing sector. With generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a supportive environment that values diversity, we are committed to helping our team thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Team Lead (7 month secondment) in Milton
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Taylor And Francis. 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 Taylor And Francis 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 Team Lead (7 month secondment) in Milton
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 Taylor And Francis:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Taylor And Francis 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 Taylor And Francis!
How to prepare for a job interview at Taylor And Francis
✨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.