Revenues Officer

The role

As a Revenues Officer, you’ll be at the heart of delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service primarily within the Business Rates section of the Council’s Income Operations team. You’ll take ownership of a caseload involving the billing, collection, and recovery of Business Rates, and BID levies, helping to ensure accuracy in our databases and that income owed to the council is efficiently managed and recovered in line with legislation and council policies. You may also be required to work on the billing, collection and recovery of Council Tax from time to time.

In this varied and fast-paced role, you’ll investigate and resolve complex queries, update customer accounts, and ensure entitlement to discounts and exemptions is correctly applied. You’ll also take appropriate collection and enforcement actions, including representing the council in court when needed. Through clear, professional communication and careful decision-making, you’ll support customers in understanding their liabilities and payment options.

Your work will also contribute to continuous service improvement by identifying trends, supporting audit processes, and helping maintain robust performance and quality assurance standards. Whether you’re engaging with customers, partner agencies, or internal teams, your commitment to delivering a responsive and accurate service will help the Revenues team meet its goals and make a meaningful difference to the wider organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload for the billing, collection, and recovery of Business Rates, BID levies and other local taxation in line with legislation and council policies.
• Provide expert advice and clear communication to customers, resolving complex queries and maintaining accurate account records.
• Identify and apply relevant discounts, exemptions, and reductions, ensuring fair and consistent decision-making.
• Take appropriate recovery action, including court representation and liaison with enforcement agents and legal services.
• Analyse data, contribute to service improvements, and support the preparation of government returns and audit requirements.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to support performance targets and ensure quality service delivery.

How will you make an impact as our Revenues Officer?

• In-depth knowledge of revenues legislation and relevant regulations
• GCSEs (or equivalent experience) including English and Maths
• Strong background in revenues administration, ideally in a delivery-focused role
• Confident communicator with the ability to advise customers clearly and effectively
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Strong IT skills including databases, spreadsheets, and case management systems
• Proven experience dealing with the public in challenging situations
• Ability to analyse complex issues, spot patterns, and resolve problems efficiently

Why Southwark?

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with conservation areas, historic buildings, social enterprises and a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together, underpins all that we do.

Additional details

Please note this role requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Basic level.

Employee benefits:

You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving service making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

• A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 27 days per year, increasing to 35 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
• Wellbeing programme
• HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Recruitment timetable

Closing date Monday 28th July 2025*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date week commencing 11th August 2025

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

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Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification