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Benefit Team Leader - WMF2055e

Job description

Location: Various Locations in Westmorland and Furness area – Kendal, Barrow and Penrith with home working
Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland and Furness Council is an ambitious authority that will shape public services for the better, building on the best and transforming them for the future.

Do you thrive working creatively, collaboratively and systematically in a fast-paced, changing environment?

Are you looking for a new and rewarding challenge that will provide a real opportunity to transform and shape service delivery within a Revenues & Benefits environment?

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Revenues & Benefits service for a highly motivated individual to work as a Benefits Team Leader, based at Penrith, as we embark on a significant change journey. 

The right candidate will support the Benefits Management Team in promoting and delivering a legislatively compliant, effective and high-quality customer-centric Benefits Service, through the development and delivery of a range of functions and initiatives, including housing benefit, council tax support, discretionary housing payments, overpayment recovery and subsidy. 

The successful candidate will lead a multifunctional Benefits Team with responsibility for the operational and performance management, providing clear guidance and direction which promotes and develops a culture of continuous improvement, compliance and efficiency.

Westmorland and Furness Council are committed to putting our customers and communities first, and to be at the heart of everything we do.   

Who we are looking for…

• An innovative and creative individual with a high degree of technical, legislative and specialist knowledge in a Benefits environment.
• A team player who can work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, and bring innovative solutions and strong decision making and problem-solving skills to the team.
• You will have proven ability to lead a team, including effectively managing performance, setting targets and dealing with issues as they arise.
• You will have strong experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The right candidate will have a good standard of IT literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and specialised Revenues and Benefits software.
• The ability to be a bigger picture thinker and work collaboratively across Council services and Directorates to deliver our Council Plan priorities.
• The post is based at Penrith, though there will be a need to move throughout office buildings and attend external meetings or training events. There will be some flexibility to work from home, subject to agreement.
• If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Alison Davison on 01539 793190.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 01/06/2025

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website -  Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

This role requires a basic DBS check in line with BPSS requirements.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old, that meet the essential criteria for the role.

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