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 Wrexham 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 Wrexham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Customer Service Advisor role. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you’d handle complex situations and be ready to share examples from your past experiences. Show us your emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research the company culture! Understanding our values and mission will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you’re a great fit for our purpose-led team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our supportive and evolving team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Customer Service Advisor - Debt Support - Chester in Wrexham
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 communication, especially when dealing with sensitive situations.
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your message is easy to understand, as this reflects your ability to communicate effectively in complex scenarios.
Share Relevant Experiences: Don’t hold back on sharing your past experiences that relate to supporting vulnerable clients. We’re looking for real-life examples that demonstrate your judgment and problem-solving skills in high-stakes situations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
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 your thought process and the judgement you applied in those moments.
✨Showcase Your Empathy and Communication Skills
This role is all about connecting with clients in distress. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and empathetically. Share stories that highlight your experience in managing emotions and guiding others through tough times.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the support provided for continuous improvement, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values.