At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to enhance financial inclusion and support services across the borough.
- Company: Royal Borough of Greenwich, committed to community diversity and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on modernising services and supporting diverse communities.
- Why this job: Drive impactful change and improve residents' financial wellbeing in a strategic leadership role.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare roles, strong leadership skills, and a passion for reducing inequality.
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)
Standard working week: 35 hours
Start date: 1st August 2026 – 12 month fixed term contract
Location: Hybrid Working, office at The Woolwich Centre, Woolwich, SE18 6HQ
Interviews: Expected to be scheduled Monday 22nd June
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 is a high‑impact senior role where you 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 evolve. You’ll lead a large service with a strong senior management team in place, working across council teams and with partners including 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, maximising 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:
- 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: Royal Borough Of Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a focus on strategic leadership in the Head of Advice & Benefits role, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community while benefiting from hybrid working arrangements and collaboration with diverse partners. Join us in our mission to enhance financial inclusion and support for residents, all within a vibrant borough that values diversity and innovation.
Contact Details:
Royal Borough Of Greenwich Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advice & Benefits in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the welfare and advice sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about opportunities or can give you insights into the role you're after.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation's Greenwich Supports Strategy and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can lead and innovate in financial inclusion and advice services.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance, share examples of how you've successfully managed large teams and budgets. Highlight your ability to build partnerships across different sectors—this is key for the Head of Advice & Benefits role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to improve residents' financial wellbeing.
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-related roles. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to improve financial wellbeing for residents.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your experience in managing large teams and budgets. Share specific examples of how you've driven service transformation and built effective partnerships in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Borough Of Greenwich
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social security legislation and welfare policy. This role is all about strategic leadership in advice services, so be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the borough-wide financial inclusion model.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing large teams and budgets. Think about specific instances where you've led service transformation or built effective partnerships, as these will be key talking points during the interview.
✨Understand the Greenwich Supports Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the Greenwich Supports Strategy and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to its goals. Showing that you understand their approach to early intervention and multi-agency support will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to financial hardship and resident support. Think through potential scenarios and how you would lead your team to address them effectively, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
