Job info	Job info details
Job title	Strategic Head Revenue and Benefits
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Revenues and Benefits
Business unit	Revenues and Benefits
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Director of Finance
Accountable to (line manager)	Director of Finance
Salary grade	P
JE ref	HAY130

1. Key purpose of job

• Serve as the Council’s lead technical and procedural advisor on Revenues and Benefits, offering expert guidance to Members, the Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer, Chief Executive, Directors, and the Senior Leadership Team. Provide strategic oversight of Council Tax and Business Rates billing and collection, Housing Benefit payments, and the recovery of overpayments.
• Deliver strong, visionary leadership that fosters continuous improvement and drives transformational change across the service. Champion initiatives that enhance income collection, operational efficiency, and service effectiveness, while upholding the highest standards of customer experience and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead the Revenue and Benefits service with full accountability for strategic direction, operational delivery, and financial control. Act as the principal advisor to the Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer, supporting the development and execution of Council priorities and performance targets related to Revenues and Benefits.
• Shape and implement service objectives aligned with the Finance Directorate’s Service Plan. Ensure the delivery of a high-quality, consistent, and responsive service that adapts to evolving customer needs and legislative requirements.
• Actively promote and embed the Council’s values and commitments across all aspects of service design and delivery, including workforce development, staff well-being, equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, corporate parenting, health and safety, data protection, and information governance. Uphold the principles of best value in all operations.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Members and Senior Leaders are consistently well-informed and receive expert, high quality advice on all aspects of Council Tax and Business Rates billing and collection, Housing Benefit payments, and the recovery of overpayments. Debt reporting is timely, accurate, and effectively communicated. 
• Financial control, budget management, and collection fund monitoring are robust and proactive - optimising Council income while ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation, policies, guidance, and best practice standards. 
• Strong, collaborative relationships are built and sustained with all stakeholders. The service places customers at its core, delivering a consistently positive and accessible experience in every interaction with the Council. 
• Strategic leadership and operational management of the Revenues and Benefits Service exemplify excellence, underpinned by a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and alignment with the Council’s strategic priorities and performance goals. 
• Performance and quality management systems are clearly defined and rigorously overseen. Policies are developed and implemented to support both effective service delivery and long-term strategic direction.
• Revenues and Benefits staff are empowered through comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a forward-thinking approach that embraces new technologies and ideas. This ensures efficient, accurate service delivery and consistently high standards of customer care.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services. 
• Support the Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer in providing clear, professional advice to Members, the Chief Executive, Directors, and the Senior Leadership Team. Demonstrate measurable outcomes for the Revenues and Benefits Service that align with Council priorities.  
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Members, senior officers, and internal and external stakeholders. Ensure shared understanding and alignment on all matters relating to Council Tax and Business Rates billing and collection, Housing Benefit payments, and the recovery of overpayments. 
• Lead the Revenues and Benefits Service to deliver a responsive, customer-focused operation, ensuring: 
  • effective and efficient demand, collection, and recording of local taxes owed to the Council; 
  • consideration of residents’ financial circumstances, with innovative strategies to support those in deprived communities; 
  • prompt and accurate assessment, calculation, and payment of all relevant benefits; 
  • continuous improvement in customer service standards through innovation and technology; 
  • maximisation of government subsidies and grants, with robust systems to prevent loss of Housing Benefit funding due to processing errors; 
  • timely and accurate submission of all statutory returns to relevant government departments and agencies. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver a customer-centric approach to feedback and enquiries. Use data and insights to enhance customer experience and strengthen fraud prevention and detection. 
• Contribute to the Finance Directorate Service Plan by aligning Revenues and Benefits objectives with Council strategy and financial planning. Monitor and report on progress against targets, actions, and milestones. 
• Build and lead a high-performing team with the right skills, talent, and drive to deliver efficient, accurate, and customer-focused services. Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, value for money, and best practice. 
• Represent the Council at corporate, regional, and sector-specific meetings and forums. Act as a deputy for the Director of Finance when required. 
• Work collaboratively across the Finance Directorate and with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver services in the best interests of the Council and its residents. 
• Lead by example, actively engaging in training and development, and ensuring full compliance with the Council’s Policy Framework.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Responsible and accountable for the achievement of approximately £143 million in Council Tax and Business Rates returns per annum, which forms the primary element of the Council’s overall revenue budget.
• Responsible and accountable for the payment and claiming of subsidies of over £36 million of Housing Benefits. 
• Responsible for a staff budget of approximately £1.7 million.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• Management of the Revenue and Benefits Service, comprising of 55 posts. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working conditions. 

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical demands. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Normal resources. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External: 
  • Customers, including Torbay residents and businesses. 
  • Government departments and statutory agencies, including Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Work and Pensions, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Valuation Office Agency, Tribunal and Courts Services, Ombudsman, Members of Parliament. 
  • Other public bodies, including other local authorities, Devon Integrated Care Board, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Police, Fire Service. 
  • Advice agency partners, voluntary, community and social enterprises. 
  • External auditors, Council suppliers, such as Civica and wholly or joined owned Council companies. 
• Internal: 
  
  • Senior Leadership Team, Finance Directorate staff, other Council departments and Members, including the Leader and Deputy Leader and Finance Portfolio Holder, Devon Assurance Partnership, Trade Union Representatives.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job. 

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• This post is office based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• The post is eligible for hybrid working.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Strategic Head Revenue and Benefits
Strategic team/Directorate	Finance
Service	Revenues and Benefits
Business unit	Revenues and Benefits

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Political Acumen – Demonstrates strategic awareness and the ability to operate effectively within a complex public sector environment, working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory partners.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships, advocate persuasively, negotiate outcomes, and influence diverse stakeholder groups with conflicting interests.
• Collaborative Leadership – A confident and inclusive leader who fosters teamwork, encourages challenge and debate, and delegates effectively to empower others.
• People-Centred Management – Approachable and transparent, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Innovation and Adaptability – A creative thinker who challenges conventional approaches and responds swiftly to emerging issues and changing circumstances.
• Advanced Communication – Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and engage a wide range of audiences.
• Strategic Decision-Making – Capable of making sound, evidence-based decisions in uncertain or complex environments by:
  
  • Analysing and interpreting multifaceted issues. 
  • Anticipating changes in policy, regulation, and external conditions. 
  • Identifying and managing strategic and operational risks. 
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning across teams. 
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives that drive innovation and service transformation. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Expert knowledge and understanding of the Council Tax, Business Rates and Housing Benefits systems and processes within a local authority context. 
• In-depth knowledge of Revenues and Benefits legislation, policy, and practice. 
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing high-value budgets. 
• Comprehensive understanding of local government operations, political structures, and strategic challenges. 
• Extensive knowledge of national and local issues and developments affecting local taxation and public finance. 
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of statutory, regulatory, ethical, and strategic frameworks governing local authorities. 

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of sundry debt collection practices within a local authority. 
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Proven leadership of a high-performing Revenues and Benefits service.
• Experience designing and delivering modern, customer-focused services that integrate multiagency working and digital innovation. 
• Successful delivery of large-scale transformation or business planning initiatives that yield sustainable outcomes. 
• Strategic and operational budget management, including prioritisation and control of resources. 
• Effective partnership working with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations. 
• Demonstrated success in senior leadership roles within complex organisations, operating autonomously and with strategic accountability. 
• Experience contributing to corporate strategy, policy development, performance frameworks, and governance. 
• Proven ability to operate within politically sensitive environments, engaging with elected members, senior leaders, communities and other key stakeholders. 
• Track record of promoting diversity, inclusion, and financial equity across services and within the workforce.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience managing or overseeing Contact Centre operations. 
• Skilled in presenting complex information to elected Members and public audiences.
• Project management experience.
• Experience implementing new systems or technologies. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience relevant to the job description and seniority of the role. 
• Qualification and membership of a relevant professional body, e.g., Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Honours or equivalent, or a commitment to obtain qualification. 
• Evidence of ongoing professional and personal development. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Leadership or management qualification, or substantial study in leadership and organisational development. 
• Strong commitment to further accredited professional learning. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate on-call working. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional homeworking.