Collections Officer
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Collections Officer to join our team based in Waterloo. You will join us on a full time, 6-month fixed-term contract in return for a competitive salary of £33,660 per annum.
About the Collections Officer role:
Income Collections Officers are key delivery roles in ensuring that the Peabody Group achieves its strategic objectives of minimising arrears, increasing cash collection whilst minimising evictions. The role is also key in embedding a customer first culture that puts the customer at the heart of everything we do.
You will be the first point of contact for effectively managing tenant arrears with a strong focus on income collection maximisation and customer relations, and will exhaust a set of agreed policies and procedures and through using data to ensure the delivery of a rent collection and arrears service which meets targets.
Responsibilities of our Collections Officer:
- Maximising all revenue streams to improve income collection rates and minimise the levels of debt
- Monitoring arrears cases and ensuring that prompt action is taken
- Responding to routine enquiries from tenants, in person, through correspondence and by telephone
- Interviewing residents by phone, in the office or via home visits
- Providing advice and information to tenants in respect of interventions for managing arrears and welfare benefit entitlements
- Keeping abreast of all appropriate welfare reform, benefit and revenue related changes in legislation
- Developing a good working relationship with Local Authority Housing Benefit Departments or Universal Credit Partnerships
- Assisting vulnerable residents to sustain their tenancies and addressing rent payment breaches
- Preparing and submitting applications to the County Court or First Tier Tribunals in relation to breaches or arrears
- Carrying out evictions where possession has been obtained, including arranging for properties to be secured
- Managing and responding to enquiries and complaints from tenants and elected members
- Liaising with and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external agencies and other service providers
- Attending external meetings at Housing Benefit/DWP and Court User Groups
- Investigating Housing Benefit Overpayment claims
- Raising invoices for rent/service charges and liaising with Tenant Appointees for payment
- Reviewing and processing credit refunds and adjustments
- Arranging and managing Rent Surgeries
What we’re looking for in our Collections Officer:
- GCSE Maths and English Language, Grade 4 or above or equivalent
- 2 A-Levels or equivalent
- Experience of income recovery for rent arrears
- Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CIMA) qualification or evidence of working towards it
- Experience of providing rent arrears management and a good understanding of complex arrears issues and legislation affecting this
- An understanding of legal proceedings for rent arrears
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Excellent communication skills to work with tenants, management, staff and other stakeholders to high levels of satisfaction
- Experience in effectively engaging and influencing a wide customer base
- Demonstrable experience in successfully operating in a complex and changing operating environment
- A good understanding of the importance of data quality and integrity
- Working knowledge of modern Collection IT systems and experience in influencing how these can be made more effective or efficient
- The ability to work independently, exercising good initiative and judgement
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven time management and prioritisation skills
- Proven attention to detail and ability to work on a variety of tasks simultaneously
- The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines and targets
- A commitment to continuing professional development
Closing date: Monday 22nd February 2021, 5pm
If you feel have the skills and experience to become our Collections Officer, please click ‘apply’ now to be directed to our careers page and complete your application. Please monitor your emails also during this time.
Peabody is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
NO AGENCY INTEREST