We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Recovery Officer to join our Recovery Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-time, Permanent basis.
As Senior Recovery Officer, you will proactively maximise collection of Council Tax and Business Rates revenue, housing benefit overpayments, and sundry debt by utilising the most appropriate recovery methods. Representing the council at Magistrates Court hearings, you will lead and motivate a team of Recovery Officers while supporting those in financial difficulty through housing benefit, council tax reduction, or appropriate advice and welfare support.
You'll manage a complex portfolio including attachment of earnings, charging orders, and enforcement agent instructions, while supervising a team of 12 across Local Taxation, Adult Social Care, and Sundry Debts. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including Enforcement Agents, Collection Agents, CAB, and voluntary sectors, you will ensure cases for Court Hearings are prepared in accordance with the law and good practice guidelines, while maintaining accurate customer records and effective system controls.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an organised, tenacious, and professionally qualified individual with experience in local taxation and debt recovery, particularly in supervising teams, to join our team.
Staff Benefits
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- Generous Annual Leave – 28 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
- Learning & Development Opportunities
Key Responsibilities
- To assist the Recovery Manager in the day-to-day management of the Recovery Team - this includes Revenues (Council Tax & Business Rates), Adult Social Care Debt and Sundry Debt.
- To lead, supervise and motivate staff to ensure that all tasks are carried out in effective and efficient manner.
- Maximise income for the Local Authority via various recovery strategies.
- To liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
- To assist with the day-to-day administration of the Recovery Team, maintaining accurate and up to date customer records and effective controls over the systems employed.
- Working to targets and KPIs
- To ensure that cases for Court Hearings have been selected in accordance with the law and good practice guidelines and that the Hearings run smoothly.
Candidate Requirements
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- An excellent understanding of Council Tax Business Rates, Adult Social Care and Sundry Debts legislation, regulations and working practices, particularly in relation to Recovery and Enforcement.
- Ability to take ownership and manage own workload to meet the demands of the service.
- Experience of having worked in Local Taxation, Adult Social Care and Sundry debts environment.
- Able to demonstrate the ability to lead and manage a team.
Our Area:
Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.
Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Click the link below and Apply Today!
Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Becky Mortimer-Browne, Service Manager - Revenues & Recovery, via [email protected] (Strictly no agencies).
Closing date: Sunday 28th June 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: TBC
AI in Applications:
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.
However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.
We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
