Revenue and Benefits Systems Manager

Location: London (Local Authority)
Contract: Interim
Rate: Up to £500 per day (Umbrella, inside IR35)

About the Role
We are recruiting for an experienced Revenue and Benefits Systems Manager to join a London-based local authority on an interim basis. This pivotal role will provide leadership in managing IT systems supporting the Revenues, Benefits, and Discretionary Benefits functions. The ideal candidate will play a crucial part in driving strategic technology initiatives and ensuring optimal system performance to enhance service delivery to residents and businesses.

Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage all IT systems related to Revenues and Benefits, including system upgrades, patches, and security access controls.
- Lead teams responsible for system administration and government return submissions, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
- Maintain statutory subsidy reporting requirements, monitor expenditure, and protect the council's housing benefit subsidy.
- Foster effective relationships with third-party suppliers, manage contracts, and oversee outsourced services to ensure compliance with service-level agreements.
- Collaborate with Digital Services to coordinate system enhancements and upgrades, aligning with P/DSS, GDPR, and other mandatory requirements.
- Guide teams through digital transformation projects, developing roadmaps, and implementing new processes to drive improvements.
- Respond to statutory and local scheme requirements, implementing new processes and addressing information requests.
- Lead year-end activities for Council Tax, Business Rates, and Benefits, ensuring seamless updates and accurate reporting for financial forecasting.
- Work closely with finance teams to reconcile payments and subsidy claims, maintaining audit compliance.
- Support service delivery improvement through innovative technological solutions, including robotics and automation.

About You:
- Degree level or equivalent experience; IT reporting qualifications (e.g., QBF SQL).
- Significant expertise in managing IT systems for Revenues and Benefits, including Capita's Academy System. Familiarity with EDMS systems like NEC Enterprise is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of SQL, database management, and running bespoke queries.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, providing motivation, supervision, and clear performance management.
- Experience in managing third-party relationships and service-level agreements.
- Proven track record in coordinating audits, managing system security, and adhering to data protection regulations.
- Skilled in delivering digital transformation and working closely with senior stakeholders to ensure readiness for technological change.
- Adept at identifying system errors, coordinating resolutions, and proactively managing system upgrades and risk mitigation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic and detail-oriented professional to make a substantial impact within a local authority