Senior Business Rates Officer

5 Months Contract with a Local Authority

Umbrella - £31.00 per hour - Umbrella

Job Purpose

As a Senior Business Rates Officer, you will lead and coordinate the Business Rates and Visiting Team, overseeing billing, collection, recovery, reliefs and exemptions. You will ensure compliance with legislation, maximise revenue collection and support the council's Business Rates service through effective performance management and technical expertise.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Supervise and coordinate the Business Rates and Visiting Team.
• Monitor workloads, targets and service performance.
• Undertake quality assurance checks and performance reviews.
• Manage Business Rates billing, collection and recovery processes.
• Administer Business Rates reliefs, exemptions, discounts and grants.
• Manage Business Improvement District (BID) levy collection processes.
• Respond to complex enquiries from ratepayers and their representatives.
• Liaise with enforcement agents, courts, legal services and external agencies.
• Represent the Council in court proceedings relating to Business Rates.
• Initiate recovery and insolvency proceedings where appropriate.
• Monitor collection performance and maximise income generation.
• Support annual billing exercises and statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with Business Rates legislation and case law.
• Provide leadership, coaching and support to team members.

Essential Experience Required

• Previous experience within Business Rates (NNDR) administration.
• Experience in a supervisory or team leadership role within Revenues.
• Strong knowledge of Business Rates billing, collection and recovery.
• Experience administering reliefs, exemptions and discounts.
• Experience managing performance and service targets.
• Experience dealing with enforcement processes and legal recovery action.
• Experience liaising with courts, enforcement agents and legal teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and Business Rates case law.

Qualifications

• IRRV Qualification/Membership desirable.
• Alternatively, relevant Revenues qualification and commitment to further study.
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).

Additional Information to Note

• Working Hours: Full Time.
• Location: Basildon.
• Hybrid Working.
• Office Attendance Required 1 Day Per Week.
• Experience within Local Authority Revenues Services is essential.
• Court representation experience highly desirable.
• Pre-Employment Vetting Required.
• Closing Date: 25th October 2026.
• We work on bi-weekly payment schedule.
• Apply ASAP.