Tax Recovery Officer

Recovery Officer 

Department: Revenues and Benefits
Reports to: Janet Chaplin
Full Time
Occaisional Office work - WFH for the most part

Red Personnel is proud to be in partnership with LBHF to recruit a dedicated and experienced Recovery Officer. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective recovery of Council Tax and Business Rates while upholding the highest standards of customer care and compliance.


About the Role

As a Recovery Officer, you will be responsible for delivering efficient and effective recovery services. You will manage the full spectrum of Council Tax and National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) recovery—from updating and reconciling accounts to representing the Council in court proceedings. Your proactive approach will support our Debt Managers and Legal Services, helping to maximize revenue and maintain our high service standards.

Key Aspects of the Role:

• Account Management & Recovery:
  
  • Investigate, update, and reconcile Council Tax and NNDR accounts.
  • Take appropriate recovery actions in line with departmental guidelines to maximize revenue and meet targets.
• Enforcement & Legal Representation:
  
  • Represent the Council in court proceedings and prepare legal paperwork for committal orders, charging orders, and related actions.
  • Be available and prepared to attend court as required, exercising sound judgment on adjournments, withdrawals, or referrals.
• Liaison & Coordination:
  
  • Collaborate with external agencies (e.g., DWP, collection agencies, employers, Citizens Advice Bureau) and internal departments to manage queries and coordinate debt recovery efforts.
  • Process and log cases returned uncollected by enforcement agents, initiating follow-up actions as defined by departmental procedures.
• Technical & Advisory Support:
  
  • Utilize IT systems—including the Academy system—to conduct credit checks, trace accounts, and detect potential fraud.
  • Provide guidance, training, and support to colleagues and temporary staff on recovery procedures and systems.
• Customer Engagement & Payment Negotiation:
  
  • Manage enquiries from debtors and negotiate payment arrangements at various stages of the recovery process, demonstrating flexibility when addressing vulnerability, poverty, or hardship.
  • Establish and maintain formal links with major and regular debtors to resolve queries and expedite account settlements.
• Continuous Improvement & Compliance:
  
  • Contribute to the Council’s improvement initiatives, ensuring all recovery activities align with our operational guidelines and the Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency.
  • Maintain accurate records and prepare statistical reports to inform future recovery strategies.

About You

We are looking for someone with a robust skill set and practical experience in the Council Tax and NNDR recovery sector. You should possess:

• Technical Proficiency:
  
  • Essential: Ability to effectively use the Academy system for Council Tax and NNDR management.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, with the capability to adapt quickly to various IT systems.
• Knowledge & Experience:
  
  • Broad knowledge of Council Tax legislation is a must.
  • Demonstrable experience in the Council Tax and Business Rates sector.
  • Familiarity with business rates is a benefit.
  • Ideally, an IRRV qualification will complement your experience.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills:
  
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to manage complex and occasionally contentious recovery cases effectively.
• Flexibility & Availability:
  
  • Must be able to attend court proceedings as required.
  • Must be willing and able to work in the office from time to time at our Hammersmith office (W6).

If you are ready to make a tangible difference in your community and have the experience and drive to excel in a challenging recovery role, we want to hear from you.
Apply now to join us as a Recovery Officer, where your expertise will contribute directly to the financial health and service excellence of LBHF.