Senior Income officer

Senior Income Officer

Location: Fully Remote

Contract: 6 Months Initially

Rate: Competitive (Inside IR35)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Income Officer to join a busy housing organisation on an initial 6-month contract. Working remotely, you will play a key role in maximising rental income, reducing arrears, and supporting tenants to sustain their tenancies through effective income recovery and financial inclusion practices.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing complex rent arrears cases within a social housing or local authority environment and possess a strong understanding of relevant housing legislation and welfare benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of complex rent arrears cases, taking ownership of recovery actions from early intervention through to legal proceedings.

• Maximise rental income collection across the housing stock.

• Develop and implement effective arrears prevention and recovery strategies.

• Negotiate sustainable repayment arrangements with tenants.

• Conduct affordability assessments and provide appropriate advice or referrals.

• Prepare documentation for legal action, including court applications and possession proceedings.

• Represent the organisation at court hearings where required.

• Liaise with internal teams including Housing Management, Tenancy Services, Allocations, and Finance.

• Support vulnerable residents by identifying appropriate support services and funding opportunities.

• Monitor rent accounts and ensure accurate record keeping on housing management systems.

• Provide advice and guidance to junior income officers where necessary.

• Produce performance reports and updates for management.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience working as a Senior Income Officer, Income Officer, Rent Recovery Officer, or Housing Income Specialist within social housing or local government.

• Proven track record of reducing rent arrears and improving collection rates.

• Strong knowledge of:

• Universal Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Welfare Reform

• Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims

• Housing Act legislation

• Experience managing complex arrears and court action processes.

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.

• Experience using housing management systems such as Northgate, Civica, Capita, NEC Housing, Orchard, or MRI.

Desirable

• IRRV qualification or equivalent.

• Experience supervising or mentoring income staff.

• Court advocacy experience.

• Knowledge of service charge recovery and former tenant arrears