Rates Operations Manager at Workspace Group PLC, London

Rates Operations Manager

London

Generous Salary Plus Benefits 

As the Rates Operations Manager, you will take ownership of Workspace's end-to-end business rates function, ensuring the accurate and efficient management of rates liabilities across our property portfolio. You'll oversee the process from occupancy events through to payment, customer allocation, reconciliation and reporting, while maintaining strong controls and ensuring compliance with local authority and VOA requirements.

You will act as the key point of contact for business rates matters, working closely with internal stakeholders across Finance, Leasing, Credit Control and Technology, as well as local authorities and the Valuation Office Agency. You'll provide expert guidance on liability, valuation, reliefs and complex rating issues, ensuring accurate records and timely resolution of queries and escalations.

Alongside the operational management of the function, you will drive continuous improvement by enhancing processes, controls, reporting and systems. You'll oversee budgets, forecasts and performance reporting, manage team capacity and workload, and lead initiatives that improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery across the business rates operation.

What We're Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• At least 5 years' experience in business rates administration, council billing or rating operations.
• Strong knowledge of rateable values, liability periods, reliefs, refunds, credits and local authority processes.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasts, reporting, payment activity and financial reconciliations.
• Confident interpreting business rates demands, recovery notices, valuation information and council correspondence.
• Advanced Excel skills, including reconciliations, variance analysis and management of large datasets.
• Experience using systems such as Riverlake, CRM platforms, Power BI, SharePoint and document management tools.
• Experience liaising directly with local authorities and the Valuation Office Agency.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, self-motivated and comfortable working autonomously.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A collaborative team player who builds strong stakeholder relationships.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Focused on accuracy, compliance and delivering high-quality outcomes.

Desirable Experience

• Degree or equivalent experience in Property, Finance or a related field.
• Experience managing and developing a team.
• Knowledge of rating assessment changes including splits, mergers, redevelopment projects and vacant property cases.
• Experience creating process maps, audit controls, reconciliation trackers and operational guidance documentation.

This role requires you to be in the office 4 days a week.

You must be authorised to work in the UK to be considered for this position.