Finance Operations Manager - Incentive Arrears (Debt Recovery Manager) £42 - 50k
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving recovery performance and income maximisation across multiple Local Authority contracts. Leading the Incentives function, you will take ownership of financial performance against contractual targets, ensuring delivery of accurate, insight-led reporting and driving operational activity that improves collection outcomes.You will work cross-functionally with Recovery and Revenues & Benefits teams to align operational delivery, challenge performance, and provide clear, evidence-based insight to support client engagement.
Key tasks and responsibilities you will be accountable for:
*Delivery of monthly and annual incentive performance across all contracts
*Accuracy, integrity and timeliness of all incentive reporting
*Driving improvements in arrears recovery performance
*Reducing reporting risk and improving process efficiency
*Building a high-performing, accountable team culture
*Lead, manage and motivate the Incentives team to deliver against contractual and financial targets
*Own the production, validation and continuous improvement of mid-month and end-of-month incentive reporting across all contracts.
*Monitor and drive performance across CTAX and NNDR arrears, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions
*Oversee and validate incentive calculations, ensuring transparency and auditability
*Work closely with operational teams (Recovery / R&B) to align activity and maximise collection outcomes
*Manage team performance through regular 1:1s, reviews and coaching
*Support recruitment, onboarding and development of team members
*Handle escalations, client queries and complaints relating to incentive activity
*Ensure all processes are documented, standardised and not reliant on single individuals
*Identify and implement improvements to reporting, automation and data processes
*Support client meetings, providing insight and performance narratives where required
*Introduce automation or process improvements to reduce manual reporting dependency
*Provide insight-led analysis to inform operational strategy and client discussions
*Contribute to the growth of the contract portfolio by identifying and supporting opportunities to expand services within existing and new clients
Essential Skills and Attributes:
*Proven experience in a leadership role within debt recovery / revenues / local government services
*Strong understanding of Council Tax and NNDR recovery processes
*Experience managing and delivering against performance targets and KPIs
*Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret and explain data clearly
*Experience producing or overseeing complex operational reporting
*Strong stakeholder management skills (internal and client-facing)
*Ability to identify process improvements and drive operational efficiency
*Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
*Demonstrated ability to drive performance improvement in a target-driven environment
*Experience working with complex datasets and translating into actionable insight
*Strong commercial awareness and understanding of financial performance drivers
*Strong coaching, mentoring and team development capability
*High attention to detail, particularly in relation to financial and performance data
*Competent across Excel and operational systems (e.g. revenues systems, reporting tools)