At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic customer service team and tackle complex queries with confidence.
- Company: Join Zopa, a pioneering fintech redefining banking with a people-first approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and the chance to work abroad for 120 days a year!
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team in a dog-friendly office with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment that values your growth and development.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service leadership and a passion for team development.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Our Story
Hello there. We’re Zopa. We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don’t like about finance and does the opposite. We’re redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre — we’ve built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. Find out more about our fantastic offerings at Zopa.com!
We’re incredibly proud of our achievements and none of it would be possible without the amazing team here. It’s not just industry awards we’re winning, we’ve also been named in the top three UK’s Most Loved Workplaces.
If you embrace unconventional challenges, are unafraid to think differently and are driven to make an outsized impact, you’ll thrive here at Zopa, so join us, and make it count.
The Role:
Our in-house customer services team are experts in solving escalated, complex customer enquiries. The team are responsible for supporting our front-line agents and working directly with customers to resolve escalated and varied queries across our range of products and services. We are a customer focused organisation, and the team play a critical role in delivering the standard of customer experience that we pride ourselves on at Zopa.
As a Customer Service Team Leader at Zopa, you will be responsible for the management, organisation, and co-ordination of the day-to-day work of a team of agents to deliver the highest standards of service to our customers. Because customers are so central to our business, we have a strong track record of progressing high performing operations agents within the business – either to ops career paths or to other functions, so it is imperative that you are passionate about people and their development to support individuals reach their personal career aspirations.
With the growth of our product range, particularly our current account offering, this role will be heavily focused on supporting the team to deliver results against some key business objectives. You will ensure you have adequate oversight of team performance and act on any insight that can help improve how we do things with a continuous improvement mindset. You’ll work closely with our current account product team to ensure we’re building a great product and acting as a voice for customers and your team, whilst ensuring product led initiatives land well within your team.
Working pattern:
This role operates on a rotating shift pattern covering hours between 8:00am and 8:00pm, Monday to Friday. You will be required to work from the Manchester office three days per week, unless scheduled on a late shift. In addition, you will work one weekend per month from home (9:00am–5:30pm), with time off in lieu provided during the week. Some bank holiday working will also be required, with time off in lieu.
A day in the life:
- Real time management of department resources to ensure internal compliance and quality KPIs are met. Including close monitoring of all queue levels, reporting risks and issues to Senior Management in a timely fashion.
- Working closely with our WFM and planning team to appropriately respond to service level variations and match staff to demand to maximise service availability.
- Ensure that customer or stakeholder enquiries are dealt with in accordance with the performance and service standards of the business.
- Set the tone and culture of the team, that helps to foster a supportive environment, focussed on common goals with a high-performance mindset in line with company values.
- Monitor and drive individual and team performance against KPIs, utilising structured 1:1’s, feedback cycles, coaching methods and clear performance goal setting whilst setting specific and actionable objectives where performance falls short.
- Prepare updates for your line manager on performance against KPIs and action plans where necessary.
- Proactively report up-line any potential or actual operational risks in a timely and accurate fashion to the Head of Department.
- Utilise data to make informed decisions to drive continuous improvement of your department, seeking new opportunities for insight to help you, the team and our customers.
- Maintain appropriate department knowledge to support the team with escalations as well as deliver required training and onboarding support.
- Support broader operational goals and objectives through your owned set of initiatives with a focus on delivering positive, actionable updates that improve performance aligned to Zopa key results.
- Highlight areas for improvement through appropriate change forums and support with delivery and rollout in your area with clear comms.
About you:
- You have experience leading a team in a customer focused operational environment.
- You know how to get the best out of people, balancing support, care and accountability.
- You are comfortable having difficult conversations and can manage performance in a clear, fair and constructive way.
- You are analytical and confident using data to understand performance, identify issues and make decisions.
- You are highly organised, structured and able to keep multiple priorities moving without letting things slip.
- You can prioritise well, especially when the environment is busy and things change quickly.
- You communicate clearly with your team, your peers and senior stakeholders.
- You have strong attention to detail, personal responsibility and awareness of risk, controls and escalation.
- You are comfortable working with pace, ambiguity and change.
Bonus Points:
- Experience working in a fintech, digital bank or scale up environment.
- Experience in a banking or financial services contact centre.
- Experience working with a current account product.
- Experience using Salesforce, including reports or dashboards.
- Experience working with outsourced partners or cross site teams.
- Experience helping teams grow in ability or size.
- Experience working in a regulated environment with knowledge of FCA guidance.
At Zopa we value flexible ways of working. We value face-to-face collaboration and a good work-life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 3 days a week. (WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, M2 6WF) Please note this office is dog friendly so you might see some furry friends about!
You’ll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year! But no matter where you are, we’ll make sure you’ve got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one.
Diversity Statement
Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE&I forum made up of Zopians wanting to make a difference and we are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustment.
Customer Service Team Leader (Hybrid) in Manchester employer: Zopa
At Zopa, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions a culture of support, growth, and innovation. Our Manchester office offers a vibrant work environment where employees can thrive, with flexible working options, opportunities for career progression, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the world of finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Team Leader (Hybrid) in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Zopa. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Team Leader (Hybrid) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Zopa.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Zopa's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zopa
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Zopa.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Zopa will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Zopa employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.