Client Finance Officer

The role

About the Service

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Our Adult Social Care Division’s Personal Budgets and Client Finance (PB&CF) Unit is at the heart of this mission, delivering essential services that support Southwark’s most vulnerable residents. If you’re looking to be part of a team that’s dedicated to making a tangible difference, you’ll fit right in.

About the Role

Are you ready to make a real impact? We’re looking for a Client Finance Officer to join our dynamic PB&CF Unit’s Income and Collections Team. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to support, inspire, and create change. In this key role, you’ll be the driving force behind our efforts to ensure that our financial processes run smoothly and that every client receives the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Support the team manager in the recovery of client contribution charges, making sure our resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Championing best practices in income and debt recovery, while providing high-quality information and reporting that guides strategic decision-making.
• Mentoring your colleagues and pushing the boundaries of service excellence, driving continuous improvements across the team.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external partners to maximise income generation and uphold our commitment to fair and transparent financial processes.

This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Adult Social Care services and making a direct impact on the lives of those who need it most.

About You

We’re searching for a finance professional who isn’t just skilled, but also passionate about creating positive change. If you’re someone who thrives on solving complex problems and leading by example, we want to meet you! Here’s what you’ll bring to the table:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in finance or a related field.
• An in-depth understanding of the financial and legislative landscape of adult social care.
• A proven track record in financial assessments, income collection, and debt recovery in social care or similar settings.
• Stellar communication skills-you can engage, influence, and inspire everyone from colleagues to clients.
• Leadership qualities that encourage collaboration, mentorship, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• A detail-oriented mindset with a flair for turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

At Southwark, we celebrate drive, enthusiasm, and innovation. If you’re ready to step into a role where your skills will make a real impact and where your ideas will be heard, we’d love to hear from you.

Recruitment timetable

Advert Close: 03/11/2024.

Interview Date: 18/11/2024.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme
. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Additional details

• Permanent position with great opportunities for growth and development.
• Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check required.
• We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion-our Southwark Stands Together initiative is at the forefront of everything we do.

Join us at Southwark Council, where every day is an opportunity to make a difference. Together, we’ll create a fairer, stronger, and more vibrant community for everyone.

Benefits and more information:

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits
page.