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 and help transform lives across the borough.
- Why this job: Shape policies that reduce poverty and improve financial wellbeing in your community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in welfare services and strong understanding of social security legislation.
The predicted salary is between 84042 - 89274 £ per year.
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 in London 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 and a focus on financial inclusion, staff are empowered to make meaningful contributions while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working arrangements from our central location at The Woolwich Centre. Join us in making a difference in residents' lives while advancing your career in a supportive and diverse workplace.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advice & Benefits in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and practising common questions. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Show them you’re the perfect fit for the Head of Advice & Benefits role!
✨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 believe this small gesture can make a big difference in how they perceive you as a candidate.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance at landing the role. We’ve streamlined the process to make it easy for you, and it ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advice & Benefits in London
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 strategic leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Advice & Benefits, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. We’re looking for someone who can lead a large team effectively, so share examples of how you've motivated and managed teams in the past. This will help us understand how you can drive our ambitious Advice & Benefits Service.
Highlight Your Partnerships:We value collaboration, so be sure to mention any partnerships you've built across different sectors. Whether it’s with health, housing, or voluntary organisations, let us know how you’ve influenced and worked with others to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
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 you’re on the ball.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams and managed budgets in the past. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, especially in resident-facing services or during service transformations.
✨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 drive this strategy forward will demonstrate your commitment to reducing inequality.
✨Build Connections
Think about how you can build partnerships across various sectors. Be ready to share your ideas on collaboration with health, housing, and voluntary organisations, as this role requires strong networking skills.
