Senior Business Rates Officer (temp) - Basildon

Basildon Borough Council

Temporary (5 months), Full Time

£31.00 per hour umbrella

Location: Basildon

Closing Date: 15th October 2026

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Council to recruit a Senior Business Rates Officer. Please note his is a temporary opportunity for a period of 5 months, with the expectation of being in the office 1 day per week.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this post is to co-ordinate the work of the Business Rates and Visiting team. Undertaking caseload management of billing, collection and recovery of Business Rates, and Business Improvement Districts, ensuring the quality and accuracy of work undertaken by the Business Rates officers and Visiting Officers. It is important that all work is undertaken in accordance with legislation, policy and guidance. The post holder is required to represent the council in court proceedings for Business Rates.

Accountabilities

Organise and plan workloads, monitoring performance of the Business Rates officers by proportionate quality testing and implementing remedial action where necessary.
Monitoring performance of the Visiting Officers by proportionate quality testing and implementing remedial action where necessary.
Management and development of staff in line with corporate guidelines and procedures, including regular 121’s and staff meetings, identifying training needs and performance management of staff.
Maintain a high level of knowledge in all aspects of Business Rates including case law, legislation, system and national developments.
Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Business Rates billing, collection and recovery process, whilst seeking to promote efficiency and continuous improvement
To have an in depth technical knowledge of Business Rates and respond directly to enquiries from rate payers and their representatives
To have continuous regard for maximising the Business Rates tax base, growth and income collection, and minimise loss through avoidance and delay.
To administer all Business Rates grants, exemptions, discounts and reliefs in line with the Council’s policies.
Manage the Business Improvement District (BID) levy collection processes ensuring they are carried out efficiently.
Liaise with the Revenues & Enforcement Manager and the BID managers regarding levy rules, billing cycles and updates to the rating list.
Ensure that policy guidelines on enforcement are applied to debts for which liability orders are to be obtained or are to be held in abeyance.
To ensure that appropriate methods of enforcement and appropriate sanctions are pursued, having regard to the means and circumstances of debtors, ensuring that due regard is taken in vulnerable cases.
Liaise with other council departments and with the legal section and the courts and other agencies to obtain recovery of Business Rates, initiating or responding to proceedings in the appropriate court and resolving complex issues where necessary.
Initiate proceedings for the insolvency of debtors ensuring that appropriate follow-up actions are taken.
Liaise with any enforcement agents ensuring such agents act efficiently, professionally, and with due regard to council policies and national codes of conduct.
Liaise with the courts, the police and any enforcement agents in relation to applications for committal proceedings for non-payment of local taxes.
To carry out a minimum of 4% accuracy checking for all staff, keeping performance statistics, and taking steps to remedy any adverse trends, reporting any concerns to the Revenues & Enforcement Manager.
Monitor the safety and security of Business Rates staff who are home working.
Assist with the annual billing processes and government returns seeking to resolve any process or systems issues by liaising with the Revenues & Enforcement Manager and appropriate officers.
To keep performance statistics, taking steps to remedy any adverse trends and reporting variations to the Revenues & Enforcement Manager.
To liaise with all internal and external partners as required
You must ensure that you comply at all times with the General Data Protection Act, relating to personal information held by the Council. Any employee who mis-uses, accesses or discloses personal data relating to a living individual without checking that it is to be used for an authorised purpose relevant to the Authority, may be prosecuted in a Criminal Court, as well as facing disciplinary action

The Experience You Will Bring

Experience of working in a supervisory role in a busy Revenues and Benefits Section or in an equivalent environment
Experience in team leadership, in a climate of legislative and organisational change
Experience of and strong understanding of performance management and the meeting of targets
Experience of managing people demonstrating good communication, management and interpersonal skills
Experience of managing resources, including the effective use of Information systems, to achieve results
IRRV qualified/member or other relevant qualification and evidence of continuing professional development– or willing to study for it
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent, indicating an aptitude for mathematics and English language
Demonstrates strong leadership and supervisory skills by providing clear direction, setting high standards of behaviour, delegating work fairly and effectively, motivating and empowering teams, supporting staff development through coaching, and recruiting high-calibre talent.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to organisational principles and values by upholding ethics and integrity, promoting equality and diversity, building inclusive teams, and encouraging both individual and organisational responsibility towards the community and the environment.
Demonstrates strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills by making a positive personal impact, securing commitment through effective persuasion, negotiation and communication, championing ideas on behalf of self and others, and using political awareness and organisational processes to influence outcomes.
Demonstrates specialist technical expertise and a strong commitment to continuous professional development, effectively applying and sharing knowledge, leveraging technology to achieve objectives, understanding organisational functions and interdependencies, and utilising the practical skills and coordination required to perform the role effectively.
Demonstrates a strong focus on delivering results and meeting customer expectations by prioritising customer needs, maintaining high standards of quality and productivity, monitoring performance, working in a systematic and organised manner, and consistently achieving project objectives and outcomes.
Demonstrates resilience and professionalism by working effectively under pressure, remaining composed during challenging situations, maintaining a positive outlook, balancing competing priorities, responding constructively to feedback, and using setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement.

If you would like to see a copy of the full role profile, please email thea.towers@essex.gov.uk

Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation.

The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.

Role Purpose

Accountabilities

Organise and plan workloads, monitoring performance of the Business Rates officers by proportionate quality testing and implementing remedial action where necessary.
Monitoring performance of the Visiting Officers by proportionate quality testing and implementing remedial action where necessary.
Management and development of staff in line with corporate guidelines and procedures, including regular 121’s and staff meetings, identifying training needs and performance management of staff.
Maintain a high level of knowledge in all aspects of Business Rates including case law, legislation, system and national developments.
Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Business Rates billing, collection and recovery process, whilst seeking to promote efficiency and continuous improvement
To have an in depth technical knowledge of Business Rates and respond directly to enquiries from rate payers and their representatives
To have continuous regard for maximising the Business Rates tax base, growth and income collection, and minimise loss through avoidance and delay.
To administer all Business Rates grants, exemptions, discounts and reliefs in line with the Council’s policies.
Manage the Business Improvement District (BID) levy collection processes ensuring they are carried out efficiently.
Liaise with the Revenues & Enforcement Manager and the BID managers regarding levy rules, billing cycles and updates to the rating list.
Ensure that policy guidelines on enforcement are applied to debts for which liability orders are to be obtained or are to be held in abeyance.
To ensure that appropriate methods of enforcement and appropriate sanctions are pursued, having regard to the means and circumstances of debtors, ensuring that due regard is taken in vulnerable cases.
Liaise with other council departments and with the legal section and the courts and other agencies to obtain recovery of Business Rates, initiating or responding to proceedings in the appropriate court and resolving complex issues where necessary.
Initiate proceedings for the insolvency of debtors ensuring that appropriate follow-up actions are taken.
Liaise with any enforcement agents ensuring such agents act efficiently, professionally, and with due regard to council policies and national codes of conduct.
Liaise with the courts, the police and any enforcement agents in relation to applications for committal proceedings for non-payment of local taxes.
To carry out a minimum of 4% accuracy checking for all staff, keeping performance statistics, and taking steps to remedy any adverse trends, reporting any concerns to the Revenues & Enforcement Manager.
Monitor the safety and security of Business Rates staff who are home working.
Assist with the annual billing processes and government returns seeking to resolve any process or systems issues by liaising with the Revenues & Enforcement Manager and appropriate officers.
To keep performance statistics, taking steps to remedy any adverse trends and reporting variations to the Revenues & Enforcement Manager.
To liaise with all internal and external partners as required
You must ensure that you comply at all times with the General Data Protection Act, relating to personal information held by the Council. Any employee who mis-uses, accesses or discloses personal data relating to a living individual without checking that it is to be used for an authorised purpose relevant to the Authority, may be prosecuted in a Criminal Court, as well as facing disciplinary action

The Experience You Will Bring

Experience of working in a supervisory role in a busy Revenues and Benefits Section or in an equivalent environment
Experience in team leadership, in a climate of legislative and organisational change
Experience of and strong understanding of performance management and the meeting of targets
Experience of managing people demonstrating good communication, management and interpersonal skills
Experience of managing resources, including the effective use of Information systems, to achieve results
IRRV qualified/member or other relevant qualification and evidence of continuing professional development– or willing to study for it
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent, indicating an aptitude for mathematics and English language
Demonstrates strong leadership and supervisory skills by providing clear direction, setting high standards of behaviour, delegating work fairly and effectively, motivating and empowering teams, supporting staff development through coaching, and recruiting high-calibre talent.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to organisational principles and values by upholding ethics and integrity, promoting equality and diversity, building inclusive teams, and encouraging both individual and organisational responsibility towards the community and the environment.
Demonstrates strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills by making a positive personal impact, securing commitment through effective persuasion, negotiation and communication, championing ideas on behalf of self and others, and using political awareness and organisational processes to influence outcomes.
Demonstrates specialist technical expertise and a strong commitment to continuous professional development, effectively applying and sharing knowledge, leveraging technology to achieve objectives, understanding organisational functions and interdependencies, and utilising the practical skills and coordination required to perform the role effectively.
Demonstrates a strong focus on delivering results and meeting customer expectations by prioritising customer needs, maintaining high standards of quality and productivity, monitoring performance, working in a systematic and organised manner, and consistently achieving project objectives and outcomes.
Demonstrates resilience and professionalism by working effectively under pressure, remaining composed during challenging situations, maintaining a positive outlook, balancing competing priorities, responding constructively to feedback, and using setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement.

If you would like to see a copy of the full role profile, please email thea.towers@essex.gov.uk

The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.