Principal Claims Management Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Principal Claims Management Officer  

As part of Staffordshire County Council, the Claims Management Regulation Unit (CMRU) was set up to support the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the regulation of the Claims Management Industry. Based in Burton- upon- Trent, we regulate the companies that offer a service for people hoping to claim compensation in such areas as: 

•           Personal injury and Holiday Sickness 

•           Mis-sold financial products and services 

•           Employment and redundancy 

•           Criminal injury 

•           Housing disrepair 

Our contract with the Ministry of Justice is currently due to run until the end of March 2019 so this will be a fixed-term appointment in line with our contract dates.

Pay is £20.76 per hour PAYE which rises to £21.44 after twelve weeks or £25.85 umbrella rate which rises to £23.00 after twelve weeks

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with proven management experience to join the CMRU in the key senior role of Principal Claims Management Officer. The successful applicant will join a management team that has significant technical and enforcement experience. The appointment will provide the successful candidate with an opportunity to hone their management skills in a regulatory environment whilst increasing the overall management experience of the senior team.

A working knowledge of legislation and experience of enforcement will be required and in addition we are seeking someone with proven experience and skill in managing performance and communicating effectively within teams. Essential skills will include negotiation, diplomacy, and organisational ability and additionally the successful candidate must be conscientious and approachable.

To register an interest in the vacancies please send your C.V. with a covering letter  

Closing date for applications is Friday 2 March 2018 and it is anticipated interviews will be conducted during the week commencing Monday 26 March 2018.

Our Vision - Is for a connected Staffordshire, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy.

Our Outcomes – our local residents will:

Be able to access more good jobs and feel the benefit of economic growth

Be healthier and more independent

Feel safer, happier and more supported in and by their community

About the Service

Claims Management Regulation Unit

Public Protection is the generic name given to the grouping of what used to be separate services including Trading Standards, Scientific Services and Animal Health and Welfare. Public Protection

It is part of the Place Directorate and exists to deliver and contribute to the Vision and Mission of Staffordshire County Council and to discharge mandatory duties placed on the local authority by central government.

The Claims Management Unit supports the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) with responsibilities for authorisations, monitoring the market and enforcement in relation to the Compensation Act 2006.

This Act introduces a compulsory authorisation procedure and rules of conduct for claims management businesses.

The Claims Management Regulation Unit is responsible for the enforcement of The Compensation Act 2006. We work to protect and promote the interests of consumers and the public, and to ensure that the firms we regulate understand and comply with the conditions of their authorisation.

We ensure that businesses who are authorised to provide Regulated Claims Management Services (RCMS) comply with the Conduct of Authorised Persons Rules 2014. Where we establish that businesses are not compliant we will take action in accordance with our enforcement policy to bring them to compliance.

Reporting Relationships

Responsible to: Head of Claims Management Unit

Responsible for: Senior Claims Management Officers

Claims Management Officers

Key Accountabilities:

To act as deputy for the Head of Claims Management in the management of the Claims Management Unit in accordance with the contract agreed with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and in accordance with County Council policies and procedures.

To provide an excellent service in the regulation of claims management companies

(CMC’s) across England and Wales. To maintain and develop infrastructures to support effective communications and performance management: communications and feedback with staff; evaluation and review of the service and workforce planning and development

To develop and implement plans, systems and resources within the Claims Management Unit to meet national objectives and to deliver in all aspects of performance.

To supervise Claims Management staff including the training and development of staff, planning and allocation of work and the monitoring of performance to inform business unit decision, ensure the achievement of work targets and ensure the best use of resources.

To provide regular reports to the Head of Claims Management. To provide information, both statistical and narrative to contribute to the completion of return and reports to the MOJ, the County Council and outside bodies.

To establish and maintain records in accordance with MOJ, corporate and departmental policies.

To liaise with the MOJ and other relevant award bodies and prepare formal documentation for reporting, approval, review and monitoring purposes including external audits

To develop Quality Assurance: monitoring and evaluating the content and effectiveness in relation to performance and processes within the Claims Management Unit. To provide direct support to the Claims Management Unit implementing the Departmental Quality System and to support ongoing quality initiatives.

To ensure IT processes and equipment are developed and maintained to provide an

effective authorisation system.

To make recommendations to the Regulator on authorisation applications and refusal and revocation of authorisation.

To develop methods of consultation with stakeholders and service users, engaging with

CMC’s in full to plan and deliver support to them to enable their compliance. To monitor the effectiveness of support in raising compliance standards.

To plan and carry out investigations, surveys and research into claims management issues and identify and implement initiatives relevant to the interests of consumer protection and fair trading as required and to deal with issues of non compliance effectively.

To maintain systems for the receipt, analysis, allocation and investigation of complaints. To oversee the detection and investigation of offences and ensure that reports are written in accordance with departmental quality assurance procedures, making referrals to the Regulator where necessary

To raise awareness of the regulation of claims management and promote the interests of consumers within the allocated geographical area.

To be responsible for the developing and managing external relationships on behalf of the unit working with the county council’s press office and the press office of the MOJ. Including forming operational partnerships on behalf of the unit, developing working relationships with partner agencies within the area, including other regulators, representatives of CMC’s, trading standards services, other stakeholders and the media.

To actively seek to work with persons from within and outside the County Council to ensure that the policies and priorities of Staffordshire County Council are met. In particular, seek ways in which to address social exclusion.

Undertake any other duties required by management which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Professional Accountabilities:

The post holder is required to contribute to the achievement of the Council objectives through:

Financial Management

Personal accountability for delivering services efficiently, effectively, within budget and to implement any approved savings and investment allocated to the service.

People Management

Engaging with People Management policies and processes

Equalities

Ensuring that all work is completed with a commitment to equality and anti-discriminatory practice, as a minimum to standards required by legislation.

Climate Change

Delivering energy conservation practices in line with the Council’s climate change strategy.

Health and Safety

Ensuring a work environment that protects people’s health and safety and that promotes welfare and which is in accordance with the Council’s Health & Safety policy.

Safeguarding

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups.

Qualifications/Professional membership

Qualification with a legal basis to degree level or equivalent, in particular

Diploma in Consumer Affairs / Trading Standards or equivalent.

Management qualification or willingness to undertake

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage own and others workloads

Knowledge and Experience

Understanding and working knowledge of business planning

Experience of performance management

Knowledge and experience of project management

Ability to research, analyse and interpret information from different sources

Ability to deliver Quality Assurance Standards

Knowledge of relevant criminal and civil legislation and procedural statutes

Experience of working in a multi-disciplined, multi-skilled department

Experience of recruitment, selection and training of staff

A demonstrable background of achievement and results

Skills

Commitment to raising standards of business compliance, particularly amongst Claims Management Companies

Committed to the interests of consumers, particularly the most vulnerable

An effective communicator

Innovative and imaginative approach to problem solving

Conscientious, approachable, patient and self-motivated

Ability to work under pressure, manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines

Diplomacy and good negotiation skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Be prepared to work outside of the normal flexi-time scheme in order to meet operational demands

Be flexible and prepared to work in different sections or from a different work centre when required

Be prepared to travel throughout England and Wales

A commitment to promote equality and diversity