Community Assessment Manager

Location

Remote working. Ideally located around or South of the M4 corridor due to the geographical area that will predominantly be covered within this role. The role also requires occasional travel to attend meetings at the Head Office in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Who we are

LINK is a not-for-profit company governed by an independent Board and is the UK's largest cash machine network, connecting virtually all the UK’s ATMs and providing communities with access to cash through services such as cashback at retailers’ tills and Banking Hubs. While many consumers are now embracing digital payments, there are still millions of people who rely on cash every day. At LINK, we are passionate about protecting access to cash on the UK’s High Streets and ensuring it is maintained for as long as it is needed through the operation of our well-established Financial Inclusion Programme. LINK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Payments Systems Regulator and the Bank of England and have a great track record of delivering results for communities.

What does the Commercial Initiatives Team do?

LINK’s access to cash role is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.  In the role of Co-ordination Body, LINK is notified by participating banks of their intention to close branches and assesses the impact on these communities. LINK also receives requests from communities to review cash access. Where certain criteria are met, LINK recommends new cash facilities such as shared banking hubs. Responsibility for implementing the recommendations is with a bank-owned infrastructure company called Cash Access UK.

What does the role involve? 

Branch Closures

The jobholder has responsibility for undertaking highly confidential visits to locations that have been advised to LINK by banks closing the last branch in town, as directed by the Senior Community Assessment Manager. The location will have already been identified by LINK as qualifying for a visit. The jobholder will assess and confirm whether the location meets the set criteria for a Banking Hub, or alternative Access to Cash Facilities.

This will also include requests from members of the Public or Public Officials (including MPs) who advise us of locations they believe need support in respect of Access to Cash Facilities.

There may also be ad hoc visits to locations to review the services provided and report back on the suitability of free access to cash for the local community.

ATMs

This role is responsible for assessment of communities in respect of Access to Cash as directed by the Senior Community Assessment Manager. The jobholder will identify potential ATM locations under LINK’s Direct Commissioning initiative. The role will be instrumental in developing and ensuring the success of Direct Commissioning by encouraging one of these locations to host an ATM and negotiating commercial terms within parameters agreed with the Head of Commercial Initiatives.

Requirement to work

·    Closures will be notified by Participating Network Members during three specific windows in the year and will need to be visited during an 8 week period in each window.

• Reports will need to be produced within one week of the visit date.
• Mileage and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with LINK Travel and Expenses Policy.

What will I need to know?

To be successful in this role you will need strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and a friendly and professional manner especially when dealing the public, MPs, councillors and fellow financial services colleagues. You will have good questioning skills in a conversation manner to get to the facts required to make a recommendation and decision. Excellent planning, attention to detail, report writing is also essential.

You will have experience and ability to work remotely without a need to be managed closely and financial services experience especially within ATMs and/or Retail Banking.

What is in it for me?

You will be joining a not-for-profit business that has seen consistent growth over the last five years. We have big plans for the future of LINK and you’ll be part of a working environment where you know the work you do has an impact and feel that you are genuinely helping the business reach its objectives. We have a lovely working culture, and our employees are at the centre of our focus. In addition to the base salary, LINK operates a bonus scheme and offers a wide range of employee benefits including group life and income protection, company pension scheme, private medical and dental insurance, hybrid working and learning opportunities.