Revenues Officer – Business Rates

Location: Lynton House, Ilford, IG1

Permanent - Full Time

Would you like a varied role where you can make a real difference to local businesses while helping deliver vital public services?

We are looking for enthusiastic and customer-focused individuals to join our Business Rates Team as a Business Rates Officer.

This is an end-to-end role covering all aspects of Business Rates administration, collection and recovery. You will manage your own caseload, deal directly with businesses and their representatives by telephone, email and correspondence, administer account changes and reliefs, and take recovery action where payments fall into arrears.

As part of a supportive and high-performing Revenues Service, you will play a key role in collecting Business Rates income that helps fund essential local services across the borough.

What you'll be doing

• Administering all aspects of Business Rates billing, collection and recovery.
• Maintaining accurate customer and property records.
• Processing account changes, adjustments, reliefs, exemptions and refunds.
• Managing your own telephone enquiries and customer contacts.
• Investigating and responding to business ratepayer enquiries and correspondence.
• Negotiating payment arrangements and supporting customers experiencing financial difficulties.
• Progressing recovery action in accordance with legislation and Council procedures.
• Liaising with external organisations, including the Valuation Office Agency, insolvency practitioners, enforcement agents and other local authorities.
• Monitoring arrears and ensuring accounts are progressed through the most appropriate recovery stages.
• Supporting service improvement, process development and customer self-service initiatives.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Is confident speaking directly with customers by telephone and in writing.
• Can manage a varied workload and prioritise competing demands.
• Has strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Can make sound decisions based on legislation, procedures and evidence.
• Works well independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Is committed to delivering a high-quality service to customers and stakeholders.

Previous experience within Business Rates, Council Tax, Revenues, finance, debt recovery or a customer service environment would be advantageous, although full training and support will be provided for the right candidate.

What we offer

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunities for learning, development and career progression.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Employee wellbeing support and staff benefits.

Join our Business Rates Team and help deliver an efficient, professional and customer-focused service for Redbridge businesses.

Job Description & Person Specification

To apply for this post, please complete the online application form and attach your CV and supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria for the role, as detailed in the person specification.

All shortlisted applicants will need to demonstrate proof of right to work in the UK.

We are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment and welcome applications from qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, colour, race, religion, or belief.