Benefits Service Manager

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

The Revenues and Benefits Department is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Benefit Service Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction services within a complex and fast-paced environment.

We are looking for a candidate who can bring:

• Proven experience managing and motivating large teams, delivering high performance and continuous service improvement
• Strong analytical and performance management skills, including the ability to monitor targets, analyse data, and produce clear management insights
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence in influencing, presenting, and working across partners and senior management

What’s the role?

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Benefit Service Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of our Benefits service.

You will manage high-performing teams responsible for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and associated discretionary schemes, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with legislation and corporate priorities.

This is a key leadership role with responsibility for service performance, transformation and customer experience, supporting the service to achieve top quartile performance and adapt to an evolving welfare landscape.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a candidate who can bring:

• Extensive knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and welfare reform
• Extensive / in-depth knowledge of Housing Benefit legislation, including Support Exempt Accommodation (SEA)
• Extensive knowledge of subsidy work, audits (both internal and external), overpayments and other complex casework
• Proven experience managing high-volume Benefits operations
• Strong track record of improving service performance and efficiency
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement operational change
• Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

The job is subject to a basic DBS check

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact:

John.Organ@lewisham.gov.uk or Joanne.Douglas@lewisham.gov.uk.

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£57,495 - £59,574 per annum (PO6)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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