Business Manager – Supportive Collection (Interim)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Business Manager – Supportive Collection to join a Local Authority’s Corporate Collection and Support service in Bury on an interim basis. The role leads senior operational oversight of key collection streams, shaping a modern, customer‑focused supportive collection pathway while ensuring vulnerable residents receive appropriate assistance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead development and embedding of the Council’s Supportive Collection Pathway across housing rents, council tax, business rates, accounts receivable and housing benefit overpayments.
• Drive performance improvements using management information, reporting and data‑led decision making.
• Develop proactive welfare support and financial inclusion pathways for vulnerable residents.
• Enhance systems, processes and digital solutions to increase efficiency and customer accessibility.
• Oversee collection and recovery activities, ensuring enforcement, court processes and casework are legally robust.
• Provide leadership, support and development to teams, managing performance and service delivery.
• Build effective relationships with internal departments, external partners and key stakeholders.
• Improve customer communications, access channels and first‑point resolution.

Required profile

• Significant senior management experience in revenues, council tax, business rates, or adult social care collections.
• Proven ability to lead operational teams and deliver service improvements.
• Strong understanding of statutory legislation, council policies and performance objectives.
• Experience developing welfare support and financial inclusion initiatives.

Required skills

• Data analysis and reporting (e.g., Excel, BI tools)
• Knowledge of collection and recovery processes
• Understanding of statutory compliance for council tax and business rates