Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
About The Role
Plymouth City Council is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Technical Manager Customer Services to lead our technical, subsidy and compliance functions within the Revenues & Benefits service. This is a pivotal role ensuring the Council maximises subsidy, maintains regulatory compliance, and delivers accurate, efficient and customer‑focused benefit services for our residents.
Working closely with operational managers, finance teams, auditors and external stakeholders, you will be the Council’s subject‑matter expert for Housing Benefit subsidy, benefit regulations, quality assurance and complex case technical support.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading the Council’s Housing Benefit subsidy process, ensuring accurate data, maximising subsidy income, and coordinating with internal and external auditors.
* Providing expert technical advice on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments and related welfare support schemes.
* Managing and developing Housing Benefit Specialists, driving high performance and continuous improvement.
* Overseeing legislative and regulatory updates, ensuring the service remains compliant, well‑informed and proactively prepared for change.
* Leading on system configuration, testing and upgrades across core benefits systems.
* Analysing data and performance trends to identify risk, improve accuracy and strengthen financial controls.
* Working collaboratively across departments to support corporate objectives and deliver the best outcomes for Plymouth’s residents.
About You
We’re looking for someone who brings both deep technical expertise and the ability to lead, influence and improve. You will have:
* Extensive experience in Housing Benefit legislation, subsidy rules and complex casework.
* A strong background in local authority benefits administration, quality assurance or technical roles.
* Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and translate insights into action.
* The confidence to represent the service with auditors, government bodies and senior stakeholders.
* Strong leadership skills and a passion for developing others.
* A commitment to accuracy, efficiency and delivering excellent public services.
Why Plymouth City Council?
Joining us means becoming part of a service that is ambitious, supportive and committed to making a real difference in people’s lives. We offer:
* A flexible and hybrid working environment
* Local government pension scheme
* Generous annual leave
* Ongoing training and professional development
* The chance to shape one of the city’s most important frontline support services
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
The Disclosure & Barring Service check requirement for this post is: Basic check.
Apply Today
If you are an experienced benefits professional looking to step into a key strategic and technical leadership role, we’d love to hear from you.
For more information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Head of Service Paul Walshe by email: Paul.Walshe@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing date: Sunday 08 March 2026
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
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