We are seeking a dynamic and solution-focused lead and manager for our new centralised debt recovery & income team to maximise income, reduce debt levels and elapsed recovery times and work with service areas across the Council to improve the efficiency of our processes.

We are looking for someone with the ability to build productive and effective relationships and a proven track record of delivering real and positive outcomes. You will need to be a strong communicator, lead on project work and identify, develop and implement new ways of working to enable the Council to maximise the collection of revenue and to minimise operational costs.?

You will be committed to ensuring high standards of service are consistently met, working collaboratively with staff and customers to ensure income is collected and debt recovery processes are both fair and effective

This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference within a busy and dynamic finance service and a highly complex organisation.

Hybrid Working. Office attendance based on business need.

Main Purpose:
* Responsible for promoting payment at the point of order, payment allocation, collection, recovery and effective control of all Accounts Receivable /sundry debts for the Council.
* To lead, manage and develop the Accounts Receivable collection and recovery team in accordance with council policies, procedures, and legislative requirements, covering the provision of a quality, efficiency, and a customer-focussed debt collection service.
* To develop and execute automated debt recovery processes for the Council to provide a standard and unified framework with regards to Accounts Receivable recovery of debt, timely progression of cases, recovery cycles, use of enforcement agents/bailiffs, and individual county court action, to enforce attachment of earnings, bankruptcy, charging orders and control of the write off of debt.

Key Accountabilities:
* To develop and implement practices and policies which improve service standards and collection rates, in order to minimise write off of debt across the Council.
* Ensure that the Council's statutory duties in relation to debt recovery are met at all times and that best practice is followed in regard to debt collection and write off.
* Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to progress all debts through the recovery cycles and setting clear framework so staff can identify the most suitable means of recovery to maximise income.
* To ensure appropriate procedures are in place to progress all debts to internal or external bailiffs or debt collection agencies. To monitor and review the performance of internal and external collection agents and where appropriate draft tender documents for collection contracts
* To engage with Directorate management teams in order to raise the profile of Accounts Receivable to maximise collection and recovery of income for the Council.
* To pro-actively liaise with internal and external customers, reporting progress and performance, chasing cases and holding review meetings.
* To manage the throughput of work and contracts for collection of debts passed to partner solicitors or collection agents including for Adult Social Care
* To oversee the production of all collection and recovery document, ensuring all documents are legally actuate and prescribed timescales are adhered to.
* To be the Council's legal representative at the Magistrates Court, County Court or High Court for any legal action being taken to pursue debts.
* To provide advice to Members, the Director, Head of Service and managers across the authority on debt recovery.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.

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