IT System Support

IT Support Benefits and Revenue
Sector Public Sector/ Local Authority
Location : London
Duration 6 months
Pay rate: £350 - £400 per day (Umbrella)
Hybrid working pattern

In this role, you’ll work closely with the senior management team to provide IT systems that support Revenues, Benefits, and Discretionary Benefits functions for a London Local Authority. You’ll drive the strategic direction for managing our technology resources, promoting future tech opportunities to benefit our residents and businesses. Your foresight will help analyse the feasibility and impact of changes.

Key Responsibilities

• Resource Allocation: Lead the planning, development, and delivery of new and existing information systems to support the Revenues & Benefits portfolio.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Digital Services Management team to meet evolving service needs.
• Digital Transformation: Define and shape successful projects by setting a manageable scope, developing a credible roadmap, and establishing an agile delivery model.
• Service Continuity: Ensure the ongoing delivery of Revenues & Benefits IT during major network and IT upgrades by Digital Services.
• Team Oversight: Manage the team responsible for revenues and benefits databases.
• Government Reporting: Monitor, extract, and complete all government returns for the Revenues & Benefits Service.
• Subsidy Management: Handle statutory subsidy reporting, manage expenditure, and maximize housing benefit subsidy.
• Contract Management: Maintain good relationships with third-party contractors and assist in government returns and performance monitoring.
• System Upgrades: Plan and schedule upgrades with Digital Services to keep systems up-to-date, managing risks and escalations as needed.
• Process Improvement: Introduce new processes and respond to new information requests from statutory and local schemes.
• Contract Management: Experience managing contracts effectively.
• Financial Collaboration: Work closely with the section 151 officer and Chief Accountants on forecasting revenues and budgetary implications.
• Guidance and Support: Provide guidance to senior management on managing relationships and contracts with system suppliers and contractors, including commissioning work and monitoring Service Level Agreements.
• Software Applications: Lead testing and development of processes for software updates, including configuration and testing of new technology.
• System Security: Administer system security access controls and ensure compliance with P/DSS, GDPR, and other mandatory requirements.
• Reporting and Monitoring: Coordinate system access requests, produce regular and ad hoc reports, and maintain a timetable for reports and batch processing.
• Data Management: Import and download files from various sources, run reports for DWP and DCLG returns, and perform year-end processes for taxation and benefit databases.
• Audit Coordination: Assist with internal audits and compliance with the Subsidy claim regime.
• Service Improvement: Lead service improvement initiatives through the Resident Access Programme, coordinating changes to technology platforms.
• Contract Management: Manage relationships with contractors, ensuring accurate and timely government returns.
• Strategic Development: Contribute to the overall strategic management and development of Residents Services.
• Robotics and Automation: Provide feedback on technology advances and recommend efficiencies through robotics and automation.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Technical Qualifications: Proficiency in IT systems for reporting (QBF SQL or equivalent) and experience with complex EDMS systems (e.g., NEC Enterprise).
• Government Reporting: Experience completing complex statutory government returns for Council Tax, Business Rates, and Housing Benefit.
• System Management: Expertise in running IT systems for Revenues and Benefits, including coordinating system upgrades and patches.
• Capita’s Academy System: Extensive knowledge and experience with this system.
• Technical Skills: Ability to write bespoke queries, run reports, and manage year-end activities for Council Tax, Business Rates, and Housing Benefits databases.
• Problem-Solving: Skills to identify errors, coordinate fixes, and produce ad hoc management reports using SQL and other query functions.
• Education: Degree level or equivalent experience in an Academy Revenues and Benefits IT Support System Environment.

Experience working within a local authority is a significant advantage. This role is perfect for someone with a strategic mindset, strong technical skills, and a passion for improving services for residents and businesses.