Debt Policy Manager (Local Government and Enforcement Portfolio)

Debt Policy Manager (Local Government and Enforcement Portfolio)

£72,000 per annum

Bedford

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Help shape fairer debt collection practices across England.

We're looking for a strategic and influential relationship manager to lead engagement with local government and enforcement sector partners, helping to improve policy and practice around debts owed to local authorities. This is a unique opportunity to drive change in areas that directly affect millions of people, including council tax arrears, benefit overpayments, parking fines and other local authority debt. Working at the intersection of policy, public services and debt advice, you'll collaborate with senior stakeholders to champion fair, effective and sustainable approaches to debt collection and recovery.

Why This Role Matters

Debt owed to local authorities can have a significant impact on people's financial wellbeing, particularly when collection and enforcement practices are not designed with vulnerability and ability to pay in mind. As the largest funder of free debt advice in England, MaPS has a critical role to play in influencing how local debt is managed and how support is made accessible to those who need it most. This role is central to that mission. By building strong partnerships, monitoring policy developments and assessing the impact of devolution, funding and commissioning decisions, you'll help ensure that local authority practices support positive outcomes for both residents and communities. Your work will directly influence national and regional conversations, strengthen local debt advice provision and contribute to a fairer, more sustainable debt landscape across England.

What You’ll Be Doing

The Debt Policy Manager will report directly to the Senior Creditor Strategy Manager and will be responsible for:

• Policy Development and Influence: Lead on policy matters related to local government debts such as council tax and parking fines. Develop positions that support fair debt collection and enforcement practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement and System Leadership: Build and maintain relationships with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Act as a key contact for policy discussions related to local authority debt and enforcement.
• Devolution and Place-based Insight: Monitor the impact of devolution and provide strategic insight on local authority behaviours and outcomes.
• Enforcement Policy and Practice: Lead engagement with stakeholders involved in local authority debt enforcement. Promote balanced approaches to debt recovery.
• Debt Advice Funding and System Sustainability: Assess funding risks and opportunities for local authority debt advice. Inform strategy on funding sustainability.
• Policy and System Leadership: Facilitate cross-sector collaboration to improve access to debt advice and develop initiatives that enhance engagement at a local level.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Important Information About Applying

• Please apply only via official MaPS links - we can’t accept applications via email or unauthorised sites.
• MaPS is unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Reserve List: If you're successful at interview, we may place you on a reserve list for up to 6 months. If a similar role becomes available, you may be offered it without the need for another assessment.

If you believe your application hasn’t followed the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, you can contact resourcing@maps.org.uk. If unresolved, you may then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Our Recruitment Process

We keep things simple, fair, and transparent:

Step 1: CV Submission

Applications open: 18th August 2026

Closing date: 01st September 2026

To apply, please submit:

• An up-to-date CV demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the job specification.

Step 2: Telephone Interview

Taking place between: 19th August 2026 and 03rd September 2026

• Candidates who meet the initial criteria will be invited to a friendly and informal telephone interview with the Reed team. This is an opportunity to discuss your experience in more detail and learn more about the role.

Step 3: Final Stage Interview

Scheduled for: 15th – 16th September 2026

(please note dates are subject to change)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a final-stage interview at our Bedford office.

The interview will last approximately one hour and will be conducted by a panel of three interviewers. As part of the assessment, candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation and participate in a competency-based interview designed to explore their experience, skills, behaviours, and alignment with the requirements of the role.

Everything we do aligns with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

Job Reference: MaPS01287

Close Date: 01/09/2026

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.