We are supporting a London Borough to appoint a Head of Benefits to lead the strategic and operational delivery of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and wider welfare services. This is a critical leadership role, responsible for ensuring a high-performing, resident-focused service that maximises income collection, supports vulnerable residents, and drives continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development and delivery of the Council's Benefits strategy, aligning with corporate priorities and financial sustainability plans
- Act as the subject matter expert on welfare reform, advising senior leadership and Members on policy impacts
Operational Delivery
- Oversee end-to-end delivery of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction schemes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
- Ensure performance targets (e.g. processing times, subsidy maximisation, error rates) are consistently achieved or exceeded
Financial Stewardship
- Maximise Housing Benefit subsidy and minimise financial risk through strong controls and assurance processes
- Lead on subsidy claims, audits, and grant returns
Transformation & Improvement
- Drive modernisation of benefits services, including digital transformation, automation, and channel shift
- Embed continuous improvement frameworks to enhance efficiency and resident experience
Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work collaboratively across Revenues, Housing, Finance, and Customer Services to deliver integrated outcomes
- Engage with DWP, external auditors, and third-party providers where applicable
Leadership & Management
- Lead, motivate, and develop a multidisciplinary team, promoting a high-performance and customer-focused culture
- Manage budgets, resources, and workforce planning effective.
Key Requirements
- Extensive experience leading a Benefits service within a UK local authority
- In-depth knowledge of:
- Housing Benefit regulations
- Council Tax Reduction schemes
- Welfare reform and Universal Credit implications
- Proven track record of:
- Delivering service improvements and transformation programmes
- Managing subsidy claims and achieving strong audit outcomes
- Leading high-performing teams in a complex, high-demand environment
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage risk and drive value
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience advising senior leadership and elected Members.
Desirable
- Experience working within a London Borough
- IRRV qualification (or equivalent)
- Experience implementing digital / automation solutions within revenues & benefits
Drop me an email via finlay@park-avenue.co.uk or alternatively give me a call on 07527 087 561.
