At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Advice & Benefits Service to drive financial inclusion and support for residents.
- Company: Royal Borough of Greenwich, committed to diversity and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on equitable service delivery and community support.
- Why this job: Shape policies that prevent financial hardship and improve residents' wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in welfare services and strong understanding of social security legislation.
The predicted salary is between 84042 - 89274 £ per year.
Role: Head of Advice & Benefits – maternity cover
Salary: PO10 – £84,042 – £89,274 (pay award for 26/27 pending)
Start date: 1st August 2026 – 12 month fixed term contract
Location: Hybrid Working, with office location being The Woolwich Centre, Woolwich, SE18 6HQ
Closing date: Monday 15th June
Interviews: Expected to be scheduled Monday 22nd June
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and strategic leader to join us as Head of Advice & Benefits (maternity cover), leading our ambitious Advice & Benefits Service. This high-impact senior role will drive our borough-wide approach to financial inclusion, advice services and highly performing benefit assessment functions. You will play a key part in preventing financial hardship, reducing poverty, and ensuring residents can access the support and entitlements they need before crises escalate. You’ll lead a large service with a strong senior management team in place, working across council teams, the NHS, DWP and the voluntary sector to deliver a modern, integrated and resident-focused system of support.
What you’ll be doing
- Provide strategic leadership for advice, welfare rights and welfare policy across the borough
- Deliver the Greenwich Supports Strategy, driving early intervention and coordinated, multi-agency support
- Shape and lead a borough-wide financial inclusion model, maximizing income and benefit uptake
- Oversee key services including:
- Welfare rights and money advice
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
- Discretionary and crisis funds
- Benefit assessment and recovery
- Lead on service modernisation and digital transformation, using data and insight to improve outcomes
- Manage significant budgets and ensure strong financial stewardship and value for money
- Build and maintain strong partnerships across health, housing, government and the voluntary sector
- Provide visible leadership to a workforce of up to 100 staff (including 6 direct reports)
About you
We are looking for a confident, credible leader with a strong understanding of social security legislation and a proven track record of strategic leadership and service transformation.
- Significant experience in a welfare related role
- Strong understanding of social security legislation and/or policy
- A proven track record of strategic leadership and service transformation
- Experience managing resident facing services, large teams and substantial budgets
- The ability to build effective partnerships and influence across organisations
- A passion for reducing inequality and improving residents’ financial wellbeing
You’ll be collaborative, forward-thinking and committed to delivering high-quality, equitable services for diverse communities. This is a maternity cover position, looking to start from August 2026.
Diversity Statement
Royal Borough of Greenwich values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.
Head of Advice & Benefits employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises collaboration and community impact. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to growth opportunities while leading a dedicated team in a hybrid working model from The Woolwich Centre. Join us in making a meaningful difference in residents' lives through innovative financial inclusion strategies and support services.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advice & Benefits
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and the role inside out. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples. We want you to walk in with confidence and leave a lasting impression!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. We recommend mentioning something specific from the interview to make it personal and memorable.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team, so don’t hesitate!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advice & Benefits
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in welfare rights and financial inclusion. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Advice & Benefits, so don’t hold back on showcasing your strategic leadership!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading a large team and driving service transformation. Use your application to demonstrate your past successes in managing teams and budgets, and how you’ve influenced positive change in previous roles. We love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Make sure to highlight key achievements and relevant experience without waffling on too much!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on social security legislation and welfare policies. This role is all about strategic leadership in these areas, so being able to discuss recent changes or challenges will show your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed large budgets in the past. Think about specific situations where you drove service transformation or improved outcomes for residents.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the Greenwich Supports Strategy and how it aims to tackle financial inclusion. Being able to discuss how you would contribute to this strategy will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the community.
✨Build Connections
Think about how you can build partnerships across various sectors. Be ready to discuss your experience in collaborating with health, housing, and voluntary organisations, as this is key to delivering integrated support.
