At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients in complex situations, providing clarity and expert guidance.
- Company: A purpose-driven organisation focused on helping vulnerable clients.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong judgment, and experience with sensitive client interactions.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you want a role where your expertise can steady someone in their most difficult moment, and genuinely change the direction of their life? Looking for work that goes beyond process, where your judgment and care make a real difference? Ready for a role that blends home working with meaningful, supportive time in the office?
This goes beyond a standard customer service role. You will handle complex, sensitive, and high-risk situations where there isn't a clear path to follow, and where you'll need to take ownership of how things move forward. You'll need to interpret complexity, read between the lines, manage emotion, and bring structure to situations that are often unclear. It's not just about solving the problem, it's how you handle it, communicate it, and guide people through it that makes the difference.
About the Role
Known as Debt Advice Specialist internally, you'll be the person colleagues turn to when a client's situation requires a more considered, judgment-led approach. You'll step in at critical points to remove barriers, stabilise circumstances, and guide clients toward safe, sustainable outcomes. You'll support clients across their full journey, from initial conversations and recommendations through to ongoing support, where situations are complex, sensitive, or don't fit standard processes. Alongside direct client work, you'll provide expert guidance to colleagues through a Knowledge Line function, helping others navigate difficult scenarios with confidence. You'll work with some of the most vulnerable clients, applying strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving to ensure the support provided is safe, appropriate, and consistent. You'll be based in our Chester office with a hybrid approach, balancing home working with regular time together for collaboration, development, and connection.
What You'll Be Doing
- Support clients facing complex or sensitive situations, offering clarity, reassurance, and expert guidance.
- Deliver full lifecycle debt advice, from fact-finding and income/expenditure assessments through to ongoing support.
- Step in to resolve challenging or atypical cases, identifying the root cause and unblocking progress.
- Provide trauma-sensitive support to clients experiencing distress or vulnerability.
- Manage high-risk or sensitive situations appropriately, including escalation where needed.
- Offer expert advice to colleagues via a Knowledge Line, supporting difficult or unusual scenarios.
- Work within governance and safeguarding frameworks, using judgment to flex processes where appropriate.
- Create tailored follow-up plans to support stability and progress.
- Maintain accurate records and use digital tools and systems to support decision-making.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying patterns and opportunities to refine processes.
About You
You bring a calm, thoughtful approach to complex situations, combining empathy with strong analytical thinking. You're confident making decisions in nuanced scenarios and take ownership of achieving the right outcome. You don't rely on having a clear script or defined path. You're able to assess situations, make sense of complexity, and decide how to move things forward, using your judgment to decide how to move things forward. You communicate clearly and adapt your style to the person in front of you, whether that's a client in distress or a colleague needing guidance. You're able to manage emotion, ask the right questions, and keep conversations focused and constructive, even in difficult situations.
You’ll thrive in this role if you’re motivated by:
- Purpose: Work that genuinely matters, helping people move forward and achieve lasting outcomes.
- Growth: Grow through meaningful work in an organisation that's evolving.
- Balance: Hybrid, flexible, and sustainable ways of working that support your wellbeing.
- Belonging: A supportive, purpose-led team where you're trusted, valued, and able to be yourself.
Experience supporting complex or vulnerable clients, working in regulated environments, or providing specialist guidance is valuable, but what matters most is your ability to apply sound judgment, work with care, and operate effectively in high-stakes situations.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Belonging is central to who we are. We're committed to building a workforce that reflects the clients we support, and to creating a culture where everyone feels valued and able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and life experiences. If you need a reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process so you can perform at your best, just let us know, we're here to support you.
Senior Customer Service Advisor - Debt Support - Chester in Hulme employer: StepChange
Contact Detail:
StepChange Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Customer Service Advisor - Debt Support - Chester in Hulme
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out our website and social media to see what we're all about. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your active listening skills. In a role like Senior Customer Service Advisor, understanding clients' needs is key. During interviews, make sure to listen carefully to questions and respond thoughtfully, showing that you can handle complex situations with empathy.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Think of times when you've navigated tricky situations or provided support to vulnerable clients. This will showcase your judgment and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in reinforcing your interest in the position. Plus, it gives you another chance to highlight why you're the perfect fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Customer Service Advisor - Debt Support - Chester in Hulme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Empathy: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your ability to connect with clients on an emotional level. We want to see how you can bring empathy into your work, especially when dealing with sensitive situations.
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills: Share examples of how you've navigated complex scenarios in the past. We’re looking for candidates who can think critically and adapt their approach, so don’t shy away from showcasing your judgment and decision-making abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at StepChange
✨Understand the Role Deeply
Before your interview, take the time to really understand what being a Senior Customer Service Advisor - Debt Support entails. Familiarise yourself with the complexities of debt advice and the emotional intelligence required. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully navigated complex scenarios. Be ready to discuss how you managed emotions and provided support, as this is crucial in this role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since communication is key in this position, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and empathetically. You might be asked to demonstrate how you'd explain a complex issue to a distressed client, so think about how you can convey clarity and reassurance.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Approach
Highlight your analytical thinking and decision-making skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving in high-stakes situations, and provide examples of how you've taken ownership to achieve positive outcomes for clients.