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: Maternity cover position starting August 2026 with excellent career development opportunities.
- 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.
Location: Hybrid Working, with office location being The Woolwich Centre, Woolwich, SE18 6HQ
Salary: PO10 - £84,042 - £89,274 (pay award for 26/27 pending)
Start date: 1st August 2026 – 12 month fixed term contract
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 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 escalate.
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.
For an informal discussion please contact Corin Hammersley at Corin.Hammersley@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
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: Royal 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 financial inclusion and community support, employees in the Head of Advice & Benefits role will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while benefiting from hybrid working arrangements and collaboration with diverse partners across the borough. The council is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the community it serves, ensuring a rich environment for personal and career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advice & Benefits
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in areas like financial inclusion and service transformation. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic leadership skills and how you can drive impactful change in the Advice & Benefits sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. 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
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 the strategic leadership and service transformation aspects of the Head of Advice & Benefits role.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the impact you've made in financial inclusion and advice services. We love seeing quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive change and improve outcomes for residents.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working with various partners, emphasise your experience in building effective partnerships. We’re looking for examples of how you’ve influenced across organisations to deliver integrated support.
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 ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal 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 prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the borough-wide financial inclusion model.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This position involves leading a large team, so think of examples that highlight your strategic leadership and service transformation skills. Be ready to share how you've successfully managed teams and budgets in the past.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
You’ll need to work with various partners, including the NHS and DWP. Prepare to talk about your experience in building effective partnerships and how you’ve influenced outcomes across organisations.
✨Passion for the Cause
Express your commitment to reducing inequality and improving financial wellbeing for residents. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that fuel your passion for this work, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.
