Debt Policy Manager (Local Government and Enforcement Portfolio)

Job summary

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.

Job description

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.

Person specification

What You’ll Bring

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• Strong understanding of public sector debts, particularly local authority debt management.
• Knowledge of the local government landscape in England, including policy, finance, and governance.
• Experience in policy development, analysis, and influencing within government or related sectors.
• Familiarity with revenue collection and enforcement practices.
• Awareness of debt advice provision and funding models.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.

Benefits

• About Us
  
  

  MaPS is based in bright, modern offices in Bedford, and we’re here to help people across the UK feel more confident and informed about their money.

  Our values guide how we work together:

  • Caring – for colleagues and the communities we support
  • Connecting – building supportive, positive relationships
  • Transforming – creating impact that truly matters

  We’re proud to foster an inclusive, welcoming culture. Our colleague networks include LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health and ethnicity groups — and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

  What We Offer

  • 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Pension contributions matched 2 to 1 (employer contribution up to 10% of your salary)
  • Season ticket loan
  • Cycle to work scheme (up to £3,000)
  • Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
  • Life assurance
  • EAP Assist & Life
  • Enhanced family and sick pay
  • 2 paid volunteering days
  • Recognition scheme
  • Retail discounts portal

  Flexible Working

  We believe work should fit around life. This Bedford‑based role offers genuine flexibility so you can balance work, family, and personal commitments. We come together for purposeful team collaboration to stay connected and drive great results.

  Career Development
  We love supporting internal growth and progression, while continuing to follow fair and open Civil Service recruitment practices.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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 [email removed]. 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.
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