Income Collection Service Manager

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options. Job Purpose The Transactional Services Team within Finance and Technology provides a comprehensive support service for Income, Financial Assessments and Purchase to Pay. It maximises new and innovative technology to provide excellent customer service using a multi skilled workforce. This role is responsible for leading, driving and motivating a team of finance officers, ensuring exemplary standards in the collection and recovery of sundry and adult social care debts due to ECC. Translating complex and varied customer needs to maximise income, deliver efficient processes and identify changes in technology to enhance and streamline the customer experience. Responsible for ensuring data is maintained and all income is collected and managed within policy and legislation standards. Dimensions People management (including direct reports): Income - 3 direct reports and 59 indirect reports. Breadth of role: . Circa £320 million of income per annum Wide demographic of customers including suppliers, individuals, schools, social care & employees plus public sector bodies and private companies. Interaction with Members, Directors across the organisation Interaction with external and internal auditors, including ownership of risks and associated action plans. Service/Functional Accountabilities Responsible for the development and delivery of the business plan for financial transactions, in support of the wider organisational vision. Lead, drive and motivate a team of finance officers, ensuring exemplary standards in the provision and continuous improvement in financial transactions. Responsible for translating customer needs to deliver process and technology changes, to drive efficiency and value for money. Responsible for improving financial awareness and capability across the organisation, to promote the culture of empowering budget holders in line with financial regulations. Lead the production of reports for the Income Team and external customers, to manage organisational performance, maximise income and ensure compliance to Financial Regulations. Lead on service improvement projects or programmes to achieve best practice and organisational efficiency. Responsible for maintaining currency on legislation changes and translating these into local policy and procedure, to identify and review changes in technology to assess possible improvements that can be introduced. Responsible for identifying, mitigating, managing and resolving risks to minimise financial impact and loss to the organisation. Knowledge, Skills and Experience You will have significant experience of Income, with excellent leadership and communication skills and the ability to influence at a senior level. A high level of commercial awareness is essential in this role, as is the ability to lead change via recognising and supporting changes in technology to streamline the customer experience. Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor's degree) or equivalent by experience. Project management accreditation/qualification, or equivalent by experience, would be desirable. Significant experience and advanced working knowledge of Income systems and demonstrable accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase to pay and e-invoicing experience, in a high-volume environment. Experience of interpreting complex and varied information and using it to drive continuous improvement. Excellent leadership skills and behaviours, building a diverse team to achieve shared objectives. Experience of leading and delivering cultural and operational change in a complex environment. High level of commercial awareness, with the ability to build effective working relationships at senior level, with internal and external customers, suppliers and partners. Experience of evaluating and supporting innovative approaches to improving service delivery and value for money, with a strong focus on performance and delivery, taking accountability and ownership. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to negotiate with and influence at senior level.