At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative programmes to enhance customer experience and improve service delivery.
- Company: Join West Northamptonshire Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to community improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Dynamic work culture focused on collaboration and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local services while championing digital innovation and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in Revenues & Benefits with strong leadership and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 51224 - 54605 £ per year.
Great services don't stand still, and neither do we. As a Service Improvement Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Revenues & Benefits services across West Northamptonshire Council. Working at the intersection of operational delivery, innovation and strategic transformation, you'll lead programmes that improve customer experience, strengthen compliance, increase efficiency and ensure our services continue to meet the evolving needs of residents and businesses.
This is a senior specialist role within our Revenues & Benefits Service, responsible for driving service redesign and continuous improvement across Housing Benefits, Council Tax, Council Tax Reduction and Business Rates. You'll work closely with operational managers, Digital, Data & Technology teams, Transformation Services and external partners to identify opportunities for innovation, automation and AI‑enabled solutions that support modern, customer‑focused service delivery.
You'll lead the planning, design and delivery of transformation and improvement programmes across Revenues & Benefits, ensuring initiatives deliver measurable benefits for customers, colleagues and the Council. Working across services and disciplines, you'll analyse performance data, customer insight, audit findings and legislative changes to identify opportunities for improvement, develop business cases and implement sustainable solutions that improve service performance and customer outcomes.
A key aspect of the role will be championing digital innovation, automation and artificial intelligence, working with internal teams and software providers to maximise the use of technology and modernise service delivery. You'll lead complex projects from initial concept through to implementation and benefits realisation, ensuring programmes are governed effectively and deliver value for money.
You will also act as a senior technical expert, providing specialist advice on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Council Tax and Business Rates legislation. Alongside this, you'll manage audit activity, support governance improvements, oversee supplier and contract arrangements, and prepare reports and recommendations for senior leaders and elected members.
Although the role does not have direct line management responsibility, you'll influence, coach and coordinate managers, team leaders and project teams to deliver successful outcomes and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
You're an experienced Revenues & Benefits professional with significant knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Council Tax and Business Rates legislation. You have a strong track record of operating at a senior level and understand the challenges and opportunities facing local government services in a rapidly changing environment. You bring experience of leading transformation, service improvement or operational change programmes and are comfortable working with complex data, performance information and business cases to drive decision‑making.
You have the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, build strong relationships across teams and organisations, and successfully deliver change without direct management authority. You will be commercially aware, politically astute and passionate about delivering better outcomes through innovation and continuous improvement. Experience of automation, digital technologies, supplier management, governance, audit activity or AI‑enabled solutions would be highly advantageous.
Most importantly, you'll share our THRIVE values and be motivated by creating modern, efficient and customer‑focused services that help West Northamptonshire thrive.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like‑minded people. Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality.
Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximise their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.
Service Improvement Lead in Northampton employer: The Guildhall Northampton
At West Northamptonshire Council, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where our employees can thrive. As a School Attendance Support Officer, you will be part of a passionate team committed to improving educational outcomes for children and young people, with access to flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and robust professional development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a culture that values trust, respect, and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Improvement Lead in Northampton
✨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 Service Improvement Lead in Northampton
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 The Guildhall Northampton
✨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 The Guildhall Northampton.
✨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 The Guildhall Northampton 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.
