At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead specialist advice services and ensure high-quality support for vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Dynamic charity organisation committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 30 days leave, employee assistance, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values collaboration and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex service delivery and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 50680 £ per year.
Contract: Maternity cover, Aug 2026 – May 2027. We anticipate scope to move into another role with us afterwards.
Salary: £48,000 – £50,680 depending on experience
Location: Home based, with in person attendance required across Greater Manchester, the North West and wider regional locations.
Hours: Fulltime - 35 hours per week. Job Share will be considered.
Closing date: 15 July 2026
Interview date: TBC
Key Areas of Oversight- Welfare rights services and Debt advice services
- Energy and Help to Claim services
- Specialist advice delivery
- Complex casework functions
- Technical quality and compliance
- Safeguarding escalation processes
- Quality assurance frameworks
- Specialist supervision structures
- Associated Delivery Manager and Team Leader functions
- Significant experience managing specialist advice or complex service delivery functions.
- Strong understanding of quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory frameworks within advice services.
- Experience supporting technical supervision and complex case management.
- Ability to lead operational teams whilst contributing strategically to service development and organisational growth.
- Strong communication, leadership and partnership skills.
- Commitment to safeguarding principles and practices ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and vulnerable adults who engage with the service.
- Commitment and a desire to work in a culture that enables collaboration, where a supportive environment for colleagues is provided and where open and honest communication is championed.
- You live and breathe our organisational values.
- Significant experience managing specialist advice or complex service delivery functions.
- Strong understanding of quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory frameworks within advice services.
- Experience supporting technical supervision and complex case management.
- Ability to lead operational teams whilst contributing strategically to service development and organisational growth.
- Strong communication, leadership and partnership skills.
- Commitment to safeguarding principles and practices ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and vulnerable adults who engage with the service.
- Commitment and a desire to work in a culture that enables collaboration, where a supportive environment for colleagues is provided and where open and honest communication is championed.
- You live and breathe our organisational values.
- An understanding and commitment to fairness and the positive impact that diversity and inclusion brings to this role and to service delivery in the charity sector.
- Ability to commit to and work within our values, aims, principles and policies in which equity and diversity is embedded throughout.
- A commitment to continually developing yourself professionally, and support the wider team’s development as well.
- A willingness and ability to work unsocial hours on occasion (including weekends), with travel across the North West and other parts of the country.
- Proven ability to keep up to date with technology and take individual responsibility for learning new technologies.
- Strategic leadership
- Provide strategic leadership across specialist advice functions.
- Support the development of high-quality, technically robust and person-centred specialist services.
- Lead continuous improvement activity linked to advice quality and client outcomes.
- Contribute to organisational growth, innovation and service transformation.
- Ensure specialist services remain aligned to regulatory requirements and funder expectations.
- People leadership
- Provide leadership and support to Delivery Managers and specialist operational teams.
- Support workforce development and technical learning.
- Promote positive and inclusive leadership approaches.
- Ensure effective supervision and wellbeing support structures are in place.
- Partnerships and service development
- Build effective relationships with external partners, funders and stakeholders.
- Support partnership development linked to specialist services.
- Contribute to reporting, mobilisation and service development activity.
- Support integration of specialist advice within wider organisational and regional programmes.
- Operational leadership
- Oversee operational delivery across specialist advice teams.
- Monitor performance, capacity, demand and case complexity.
- Support effective management of high-risk and complex casework.
- Ensure effective operational systems and referral pathways are in place.
- Support service resilience and workforce planning.
- Quality and safeguarding
- Maintain oversight of technical quality and compliance frameworks.
- Ensure effective quality assurance systems operate across specialist services.
- Support safeguarding oversight and escalation management.
- Ensure services align with FCA, AQS, Citizens Advice and wider regulatory standards.
- Lead improvement activity following audits, reviews or quality assurance findings.
- Professional and personal development
- Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.
- Work with your direct manager to develop an annual learning and development plan which meets your development needs and the needs of the organisation.
- Take an active role in the preparation of regular meetings, taking a lead on your own development.
The business is a fast-moving organisation and therefore any colleague’s duties may be varied from time to time. The post holder accepts that they may be required to work flexibly and undertake any other work or duties as may reasonably be required, within the scope of and commensurate to the nature of the post. This job description does not constitute terms and conditions of employment. It is provided only as a guide to assist an individual in the performance of the job and is not included to be an inflexible list of tasks.
Benefits- Flexible working opportunities
- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays, pro rata (plus additional days for length of service)
- Employee assistance scheme
- Salary sacrifice scheme
- Perks and savings scheme
- Mental health and wider wellbeing initiatives
- Learning, development and growth opportunities
£48,000 – £50,680 GBP Annual
Equity, Diversity and InclusionWe’re committed to standing up for, and speaking with those people who face inequality and disadvantage. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us. To help us achieve this, we aim to make our recruitment process as fair as it can be. We also offer support to disabled candidates to make sure no one loses out on a role because of their condition. If you need this pack or our application process in an alternative format, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion runs through everything we do.
Head of Specialist Advice in Manchester employer: Citizens Advice S O R T
As an employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of our employees while delivering essential services to the community. With flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and a strong commitment to professional development, we empower our team members to grow and thrive in their roles. Located in the vibrant Greater Manchester area, this position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact across the North West, all while being part of an organisation dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Specialist Advice in Manchester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Citizens Advice S O R T.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Citizens Advice S O R T.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Citizens Advice S O R T.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Citizens Advice S O R T. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Specialist Advice in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Citizens Advice S O R T. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Specialist Advice, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizens Advice S O R T
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Citizens Advice S O R T. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
