Details
Reference number
425933
Salary
£35,633 - £40,559
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
VCA - Finance & Resourcing
Type of role
Debt Management
Finance
Operational Delivery
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Bristol
About the job
Job summary
Have you got the enthusiasm and drive to work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and customers, delivering quality at pace?
Can you effectively communicate verbally and in writing, interpreting financial information to set, monitor and review credit?
Do you seek a role where your work will have a direct impact on the finances of the Agency and can make a real difference?
We have a great opportunity to join our Finance team as a Credit Manager. If you are looking for a role that ticks all the boxes, including continued professional development, opportunities to broaden your skills and knowledge in a fast-paced and evolving Agency, whilst delivering great customer service to our customers, please get in touch.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be supported through a professionally recognised CICM qualification.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years' experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. The Finance team plays an important role providing support and guidance ensuring compliance for the Vehicle Certification Agency in the UK and its overseas offices.
For further information, check out what John Golding Finance Controller, has to say about our Finance Team and what you can expect joining the VCA.
Job description
As an experienced Credit Manager, you will play a key role in our Finance and Resources department, supporting the fundamental work we do. Using your expertise and knowledge to oversee effective management of customer debt in line with credit management policy, You will find yourself at the centre of a variety of projects and activity in the Agency, contributing ideas and solutions to problems, as well as leading the way for change and improvement to ensure we are working at our best.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in-person and in writing is necessary as you will be working closely with colleagues and customers in the UK and overseas. You will oversee operation of the credit control section, managing a small team to secure repayment of credit from customers in line with terms. You will need to act professionally and in accordance with our organisation's values, delivering quality at pace and carefully ensuring your work is accurate and to our exacting standards.
We are committed to your ongoing growth and the upskilling of our staff. You will be encouraged to partake in learning modules and training, additional qualifications and will be supported to achieve your career aspirations and goals. We also champion a work-life balance, with flexible working policies and our invested interest in your physical and mental wellbeing, delivering monthly webinars and topical conversations.
Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:
As a Credit Manager, your key responsibilities will include:
* Ensure all new customers have an appropriate credit rating and limit backed up by a credit report from an approved credit agency. Customers to be added to Risk Monitor, to ensure any adverse information is received quickly and acted upon, in the best interest of the Agency.
* Ensure all existing customers credit terms are reviewed at least annually, in line with VCA authority limits.
* Ensure debit is collected in accordance with authorised payment terms to minimise bad debt risk and maximise cash flow.
* Oversee the recording of receivables in the Agency's accounting system.
* Oversee the resolution of queries from customers related to payment of invoices through liaison with operational departments.
* Lead the process of regular credit reviews with the team.
* Manage any legal recovery proceedings.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
To apply for our Credit Manager position, you will need:
* Experience of formulating and maintaining credit policy.
* Experience of managing credit exposure.
* Experience of managing and motivating teams.
* Experience in credit control, with experience in a managerial or supervisory role.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* Excellent organisational skills and disciplined and methodical approach.
* Strong attention to detail and accuracy are vital to this role.
* The ability to problem solve and apply analytical skills.
* To be able to understand and interpret financial data, identifying trends and patterns.
* Advanced Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint skills.
* Flexible attitude.
* Willingness to undertake Level 3 Diploma in Credit & Collections, Chartered Institute of Credit Management.
Additional Information
This role is suitable for hybrid working, and therefore a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement where employees have the flexibility to work remotely combined with a minimum of 60% of their working time a month at either their principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another VCA workplace. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
If you have questions regarding how hybrid working is practiced within the business area, or any reasonable adjustments or flexible working arrangements you may currently have or need in place if successful in your application, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
VCA does not offer Visa sponsorship. Candidates should ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Qualifications
•Willingness to undertake Level 3 Diploma in Credit & Collections, Chartered Institute of Credit Management.
•Level 2 qualifications in Math and English, i.e. GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C, or equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Making Effective Decisions
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £35,633, Vehicle Certification Agency contributes £10,322 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies .
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
Stage 1: Initial Experience-Based Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
* Experience of formulating and maintaining credit policy.
* Experience of managing credit exposure.
* Experience of managing and motivating teams.
Your personal statement should be a maximum of 750 words and we recommend a minimum of 250 words for each of the bullet points above.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The sift will take place week commencing 23rd September 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – (Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together, Delivering at Pace)
* Experience
The interviews will take place from the 07th October 2025.
This interview will be an in-person interview, where selected candidates will be invited to visit one of our premises. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site .
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).
If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.
AI Tools and Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) tools and platforms to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, you must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. You can read more here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Elliot Morgan
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here