Working in Debt Management
The Government Debt Management Profession is central to the UK’s ability to fund vital public services and support economic stability.
Government Debt Management Professionals ensure that debts owed to, or collected by, government are managed fairly, efficiently, and responsibly. Their work touches millions of lives, helping citizens and businesses while safeguarding public finances..
What we do
Government Debt Management Professionals work across the entire lifecycle of debt owed to or collected by government: from prevention and early intervention, through collection and recovery, to supporting vulnerable customers and ensuring fair outcomes.
They work to clear standards, develop policy, manage operational delivery, and drive best practice across all government departments and agencies.
Job families within the Government Debt Management
Government Debt Management Professionals plays a critical role in safeguarding public finances and supporting individuals and businesses to resolve their debts, whether arising from overpaid benefits, overdue taxes, grants, fines, fees or fraud.
Our work balances fairness, efficiency and compassion, ensuring the right outcomes for customers and the Exchequer, and contributing directly to the integrity and resilience of public services.
Entry routes into the profession
Government Debt Management Professions come from a wide range of backgrounds including school leavers, graduates, and those seeking a career change.
Opportunities exist across the UK, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements available.
Our profession is organised around three core job families, reflecting the breadth and complexity of debt management in government:
- recovery – if you are motivated by helping others and solving problems, these roles will put you at the forefront of direct customer support
- assurance – for those who value integrity and process, these roles focus on identifying where debts are owed and planning how to sustainably collect them
- strategy – If you are passionate about big-picture thinking and continuous improvement, these roles offer the chance to influence how government debt is managed nationwide
The roles that make up the Government Debt Management Profession
Recovery: helping people and solving problems
This job family covers roles at the frontline of government debt management, working directly with individuals and businesses to resolve debt issues.
Recovery professionals deliver high-quality, customer-focused services, helping users overcome financial challenges. Teams provide tailored support, assess affordability, and manage complex cases, always striving for fair and sustainable solutions.
Roles include:
- case workers and agents: working directly with users to resolve debts, guiding them through options and next steps
- vulnerability and customer case specialists: providing expert support for those facing hardship or complex personal circumstances, ensuring compassionate engagement
- appeals and complex case workers: handing appeals and the most challenging cases, ensuring fair and consistent resolutions
- affordability advisors: assessing financial situations and recommend sustainable repayment options, balancing individual needs and fiscal responsibility
Assurance: upholding standards, ensuring fairness
This job family focuses on maintaining robust systems and legal compliance, ensuring that government debt management processes are transparent, accountable, and effective.
Assurance professionals uphold the integrity of our operations, manage legal proceeding and ensuring debt are correctly identified .
Roles include:
- litigation specialists/courts liaison: manage legal proceedings and liaise with courts to resolve cases justly and efficiently
- assurance and compliance: ensuring processes are robust, transparent, and meet the highest standards, safeguarding the reputation and effectiveness of debt management
“Assurance professionals play a vital role in ensuring that government debt is managed in line with legal and ethical standards, maintaining public trust and supporting the delivery of public services.”
Strategy: shaping policy, driving innovation
This job family delivers the strategic direction and continuous improvement of government debt management. Strategy professionals shape policy, design operating models, and drive innovation across the debt function, ensuring that our approaches remain effective, fair and responsive to changing needs.
Roles include:
- collection policy and operating model design specialists: developing and refining policy, designing and refining operating models, and leading innovation and continuous improvement efforts across the debt function
- outsourcing management: overseeing relationships with external partners to enhance service delivery
- partnership managers: collaborate with third sector organisations to support customers and improve outcomes for all
“Strategy professionals provide the insight and leadership needed to deliver a modern, effective and compassionate debt management service, supporting government priorities and improving outcomes for all”
Why work in a Government Debt Management Role
You’ll join a dynamic, growing profession making a real difference to society. We offer structured career development, a variety of roles, and the chance to work on issues of national importance.
You’ll help shape policy, support vulnerable citizens, and contribute to the responsible management of public money. We are committed to supporting your growth and helping you achieve your career ambitions.
Qualities we look for
- confident communicators and negotiators
- empathic problem solvers with a commitment to fair treatment
- attention to detail and professional integrity
- ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams
What we offer
As part of the Government Debt Management Profession, you’ll have access to structured training, mentoring, and opportunities for progression.
A Debt Skills Assessment Tool – designed for you to self-assess your relevant technical debt skills. It will provide you with a personalised dashboard where you can explore your skills assessment results and download your skills report.