Employers
Current Offers Up to 50% Off
Back to Team
Karina Nazarenko
Recruitment Consultant
I joined CRA Group in 2023, where I am responsible for the company's recruitment efforts. As CRA Group continues to experience rapid growth, I am excited to play a key role in ensuring our recruitment strategy aligns with the evolving needs of the business. Alongside my team, I am committed to supporting the company's impressive growth journey and contributing to its continued success.
Income Collection and Dispute Resolution Officer
3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and proactive Income Collection and Dispute Resolution Officer to join a busy Housing and Leasehold Services team. • The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the recovery of service charge income, handling debt recovery cases, managing disputes with leaseholders, and supporting financial wellbeing through benefit and debt advice referrals. • This role is suited to individuals with experience in income recovery, leasehold management, and customer service within a housing environment. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Maximise recovery of service charge income, including managing arrears and outstanding debts in line with internal procedures. • Prepare and submit online claims via HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and monitor progress through to enforcement. • Assess cases for potential enforcement action and liaise with legal teams accordingly, including court attendance where required. • Provide advice to leaseholders on available financial assistance, including basic benefit information and referrals to external debt advice agencies. • Deliver end-to-end dispute resolution, collaborating with internal departments and directly with leaseholders to resolve issues and secure income. • Respond to leaseholder queries related to charges and debts in a timely and effective manner. • Administer suspense accounts, ensuring correct allocation of payments and supporting reconciliation of service charge accounts. • Process refunds from leaseholder accounts in accordance with internal financial procedures. Skills/Experience: • Demonstrable experience in service charge and income recovery within a housing or leasehold environment. • Strong working knowledge of major works recovery processes. • Experience engaging directly with leaseholders and the public, offering clear advice on complex financial and legal matters. • Familiarity with submitting debt cases through online money judgement systems. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive discussions and maintain professionalism. • High level of numeracy and accuracy for calculating service charges and interpreting financial data. • Ability to manage workloads independently and collaboratively, prioritising effectively to meet tight deadlines and income targets. • Previous experience managing leasehold properties in the public sector. • Basic understanding of Leasehold Law, particularly in relation to Right to Buy leaseholders. Additional Information: • The closing date: 23/09/2025 @9:00 AM. • Hours: 36 hours per week (Full-time). • Location: Office-based with some hybrid potential – South Mall, North London.
Contract
Corporate Lawyer
3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Corporate Lawyer to join a local authority's legal team on a temporary basis. • This position involves providing high-level legal advice and assistance across Employment, Education, Equality, and Information Law, supporting both complex casework and day-to-day legal queries. • The successful candidate will work within a collaborative and dynamic team environment, contributing to decision-making processes, representing the organisation in tribunals, and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Deliver specialist legal advice on matters relating to Employment Law, Education Law, Equality, and Information/Data Protection Law. • Manage and progress a busy caseload of complex legal matters, particularly employment litigation, TUPE, and HR-related disputes. • Undertake advocacy in Employment Tribunals and other relevant forums. • Draft and review legal documents, policies, and procedures to ensure legal compliance and reflect best practice. • Contribute to the preparation of committee reports and attend committee meetings where necessary. • Provide legal support in response to corporate complaints and member enquiries. • Deliver internal legal training and briefings to staff and departments on legislative developments. • Support and contribute to the ongoing improvement of legal services, including process and policy development. • Ensure all work meets performance targets, including chargeable hours and quality standards. • Use case management and IT systems to maintain accurate records and ensure legal compliance, including under the Data Protection Act (GDPR). • Participate in wider corporate legal matters or projects as required, including offering cover for colleagues. Skills/Experience: • Minimum of 2 years’ post-qualification legal experience, or exceptional experience of shorter duration. • Proven experience handling complex employment law issues (minimum 6 months), including TUPE, tribunal advocacy, and advising on HR policies. • Thorough knowledge of Employment Law, Equality Law, and familiarity with Education Law and Information Law. • Experience preparing cases for and appearing at Employment Tribunals. • Strong legal drafting, advocacy, and policy advisory skills. • Excellent verbal and written communication and the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly. • Ability to manage complex casework independently and contribute to team success. • Confident in delivering proactive legal advice to internal stakeholders at all levels. • Experience advising within the public sector or local government legal services. • Familiarity with public sector governance frameworks and corporate complaints processes. • Ability to mentor junior staff and assist in team training. Additional Information: • Full-time role: 35 hours/week. • Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (England or comparable jurisdiction). • Location: Hybrid – desk-based role with one day per week in office (Greater London).
Contract
Solicitor
2 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • A temporary Solicitor (Litigation) role specialising in housing management and landlord & tenant litigation. • The role involves providing legal advice and support on routine and complex housing-related matters, conducting litigation including advocacy, drafting pleadings, managing caseloads, and assisting with the development of in-house legal processes. • The post holder will support both senior and junior team members and maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Provide legal advice on housing management, landlord & tenant matters, and complex litigation cases. • Conduct litigation including anti-social behaviour injunctions, possession claims, tenancy fraud, housing disrepair claims, and other housing-related legal proceedings. • Draft and prepare all necessary pleadings and court documentation. • Brief Counsel and conduct advocacy as required. • Assist in developing and implementing legal procedures to ensure efficient service delivery. • Support junior team members and provide cover for other solicitors and managers as needed. • Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with relevant legal frameworks. • Liaise effectively with clients, internal teams, external solicitors, and partners. • Keep up to date with changes in housing law and legal regulations. • Ensure confidentiality and professional handling of sensitive data. Skills/Experience: • Experience in housing management litigation, particularly within housing associations or public sector. • Strong advocacy skills and experience conducting litigation. • Excellent legal drafting and document preparation skills. • Thorough understanding of landlord & tenant law and housing law. • Ability to develop and implement legal procedures and processes. • Experience supporting and mentoring junior legal staff. • Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office and Outlook. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information professionally. • Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing workloads effectively under pressure. Additional Information: • The closing date: 24/09/2025. • Qualified solicitor with a current Law Society Practising Certificate or barrister with litigation rights. • Working hours are 35 hours per week.
Contract
Senior Finance Technician
4 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An experienced and detail-oriented Senior Finance Technician is required to support the Commercial Finance team in delivering accurate financial forecasting, analysis, reporting, and business partnering within a complex public sector environment. • The role involves supporting strategic financial decision-making, updating financial models, preparing journals, and running reports, with a focus on improving service outcomes, compliance, and value for money. • The successful candidate will play a critical role in the completion of statutory returns, monitoring grant claims, and supporting the delivery of accurate budget forecasts and business plans. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Support the preparation of accurate financial forecasts, journals, and updates to financial spreadsheets. • Assist in completing statutory and non-statutory returns, including grant claims. • Collaborate with Commercial Finance Business Partners to ensure financial positions are accurately reflected and aligned with operational needs. • Provide financial analysis and support to strategic programmes, projects, and business cases. • Offer insights and recommendations based on interpretation of financial data. • Identify risks, training needs, and corrective actions to improve forecasting accuracy. • Monitor and support business plans to maintain robustness of Medium-Term Financial Planning (MTFP). • Ensure compliance with corporate timelines, procedures, and internal audit requirements. • Liaise with external organisations on benchmarking, data collection, and financial reporting. Skills/Experience: • Solid understanding of local government accounting principles and financial procedures. • Strong experience in budget forecasting, financial analysis, and option appraisal. • Proficient in using a range of financial systems and Excel to produce clear, concise reporting. • Qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or an equivalent recognised body. • Good awareness of national and local financial issues impacting public sector organisations. • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial matters to non-finance stakeholders. • Able to work independently, assess risks, and support strategic priorities. • High level of numeracy and literacy. • Demonstrable experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners. • Experience contributing to commercial finance strategy in a large organisation. • Willingness to work flexibly to meet critical deadlines. • Commitment to equality, diversity, and delivering high standards of public service. Additional Information: • Hybrid working pattern (typically 1–2 days per week on-site). • Full-time role: 37 Hours/week.
Contract
Operational Services Manager
3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Operational Services Manager to join the Asset Management function of a local authority. • This pivotal role is responsible for leading and overseeing the day-to-day operational delivery of facilities management, maintenance, minor works, and contracted services across a varied non-housing estate. • The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership in areas such as compliance, supplier performance, and estate investment planning, ensuring service excellence and value for money. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Provide strong line management to teams delivering estates, facilities, and operational services. • Lead and develop all aspects of operational estates, planned/reactive maintenance, minor works, and facilities management. • Oversee a comprehensive maintenance management system, ensuring both operational and strategic compliance. • Manage contracted services including cleaning, security, and maintenance, ensuring high performance and cost-effectiveness. • Lead on procurement processes, contractor governance, and performance reviews to ensure value-for-money outcomes. • Act as the Contract Manager, managing contract governance, supplier relationships, and delivery outcomes. • Oversee investment planning and manage the minor works programme—ensuring upgrades, repairs, and lease obligations are delivered effectively. • Support estate compliance across all areas, including health and safety, and legislative obligations. • Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota to support the operational continuity of estate services. Skills/Experience: • Demonstrable experience in facilities and estates management within a complex organisation. • Strong understanding of planned and reactive maintenance systems, compliance, and operational delivery. • Experience managing contracted services (e.g. cleaning, maintenance, security) with a focus on performance and value. • Proven ability to lead teams, manage resources, and develop operational strategies. • Solid knowledge of contract management, including governance and supplier performance. • Experience in minor works project delivery and estate investment planning. • Ability to manage multiple priorities with excellent organisational and communication skills. • Comfortable working in a hybrid environment with site presence required. • Experience working within local government, healthcare, education, or large public sector estates. • Recognised facilities management qualification or similar (e.g. IWFM, NEBOSH, IOSH). • Strong knowledge of health & safety, compliance regulations, and procurement processes. Additional Information: • The closing date: 17/09/2025. • The role is full-time (37 hours/week) and expected to last 12 weeks. • The office location is based in Shefford, Bedfordshire, and 3 days per week on-site attendance is required.
Contract
Older Peoples Commissioner
3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An experienced Older People's Commissioner is sought to lead the design, commissioning, and transformation of adult social care services focused on older people. • This role will shape and deliver high-quality services, including Homecare and Extra Care, through strategic commissioning and collaborative working with internal teams and external partners across health and social care. • The postholder will also lead the implementation of the Older People’s Strategy, working through established steering and task groups to improve outcomes for residents. • This is a key role within a dynamic commissioning team, supporting innovation, integration, and person-centred care. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Lead and manage strategic commissioning and transformation projects for older people’s services, including residential care, Extra Care, and Homecare. • Deliver end-to-end commissioning activities aligned with strategic objectives and commissioning plans. • Lead the recommissioning of services such as: • Extra Care – Care and Support component • Homecare, including Homefirst, Reablement, Discharge to Assess (Pathway 2), and long-term care. • Oversee implementation of the Older People’s Strategy and delivery of associated action plans. • Provide expert advice, drawing on national and international best practice to improve service outcomes. • Organise and deliver market engagement and co-production activities with partners, stakeholders, and service users. • Develop service specifications based on local needs and work closely with the Co-production Network. • Monitor and evaluate commissioned services, identifying gaps and driving improvements. • Collaborate with procurement and commercial teams to ensure compliant and value-for-money tendering processes. • Ensure safeguarding and service quality issues are addressed and resolved with robust improvement planning. • Explore and implement innovative funding or resource-sharing solutions across sectors. Skills/Experience: • Proven experience in strategic commissioning within adult social care, particularly for older people. • Strong track record of commissioning Homecare and Extra Care services. • Excellent project and change management skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives. • Experience working in partnership across health, social care, and voluntary sectors. • In-depth understanding of service transformation, co-production, and market engagement. • High-level analytical skills, with ability to interpret performance and financial data to inform decisions. • Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills. • Ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive environment. • Strong digital literacy and confidence using remote collaboration tools. • Educated to degree level or equivalent, membership of a relevant professional body. • Knowledge of local government operations and adult social care legislation. Additional Information: • The closing date: 16/09/2025 @17:00.
Contract
