Debt Recovery Officer

Job Description

Salary range: Grade 7 (£38,256 - £39,276 p.a.) plus fantastic benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Croydon

Are you a resilient individual, driven by results, confident in your decision-making, and ready to take a firm but fair approach to enforcement? We’re looking for a Debt Recovery Officer to join our team and play a key role in protecting public funds through effective collection and recovery action.

Key Responsibilities include

• Answering calls and negotiating payments and arrangements
• Responding to queries and negotiations in writing
• Assess debtor circumstances quickly and decide on the most effective course of action
• Liaising with enforcement agents and internal departments to progress cases
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies
• Delivering clear, confident communication to residents, setting expectations and securing payments

We’re Looking For

• A strong collection and enforcement mindset with a focus on outcomes
• Experience in debt recovery
• Confidence in handling difficult conversations and negotiating payments
• Ability to make firm decisions while remaining fair and consistent
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and recovery processes (or willingness to learn quickly)
• Resilience, organisation, and a target-driven approach

Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a small team that directly supports essential local services by ensuring funds are recovered effectively. We offer a supportive environment, opportunities to develop your enforcement expertise, and the chance to make a tangible impact in your community.

If you’re motivated by results and ready to take a decisive approach to debt recovery, we’d like to hear from you.

Applicants should be aware the service operates between 8am until 6pm and therefore it is expected that your start and finish times may vary.

To view the Debt Recovery Officer role profile, click here

About us

Croydon Council’s priorities

The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key business plan outcomes:

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council’s new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.