Deputy Income Maximisation Manager

Are you an experienced income manager, or ready to take the next step into management? This is an opportunity to lead and develop a team that makes a real difference to people living in temporary accommodation across Richmond and Wandsworth. You will play a key role in protecting income for the Councils by driving effective rent collection, improving recovery of outstanding charges and reducing both current and former tenant debt. You will help households sustain their accommodation through early intervention, clear payment arrangements and timely, practical support with benefits and debt. Alongside managing day-to-day performance, you will use data, partnership work and new ideas to strengthen income recovery, improve services and deliver positive financial and resident outcomes, Leadership in a high-demand service - you will lead, support and develop a team of Income Maximisation Officers working across two boroughs in a busy, fast-paced environment. You will set clear expectations, manage competing priorities and maintain effective operational cover while ensuring staff deliver a responsive and consistent service. A performance-driven role - you will be accountable for strong income collection and debt reduction performance across temporary accommodation accounts. You will monitor caseloads, analyse monthly performance information and turn insight into clear action plans that improve recovery of current and former tenant arrears and protect Council income. Income maximisation and early intervention - you will use your knowledge of welfare benefits, affordability and debt management to ensure residents receive timely advice and support, maximise their income and maintain regular payments. You will drive early action on arrears and identify practical solutions for households at risk of losing their accommodation. Complex casework and resident outcomes - you will oversee sensitive and challenging cases involving vulnerable residents, complaints, legal action and potential eviction. You will ensure decisions, notices and records are accurate, timely and compliant, while promoting a calm, fair and solution-focused approach. Partnership working and continuous improvement - you will work closely with Housing Benefits, Legal Services, the Department for Work and Pensions, advice agencies and colleagues across Housing. You will lead service improvements, strengthen procedures and develop practical initiatives that improve performance, reduce debt and deliver better outcomes for residents and the Councils.

• Maths and English GCSE at grade C/4 or above, or an equivalent qualification.
• A CIH Level 4 qualification, or a willingness to undertake and complete the qualification by 2029, if required.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of effective rent, debt and arrears management, including income recovery, early intervention and reducing outstanding debt.
• A good working knowledge of welfare benefits, with the ability to support income maximisation and advise residents within the scope of the role.
• Experience of leading, managing and developing a team, setting clear expectations and using structured supervision and performance reviews to achieve service targets.
• Experience of working with the public, particularly people in vulnerable or complex circumstances, with a calm, empathetic and professional approach to complaints and challenging situations.
• Strong communication, literacy, numeracy and IT skills, including the ability to produce and analyse performance information, manage competing priorities and maintain excellent attention to detail in a busy, changing service.
  
  benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.