At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance vital advice services tackling poverty and inequality in East London.
- Company: Toynbee Hall, a historic charity dedicated to social justice since 1884.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, enhanced sick pay, and support for mental health and well-being.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to social change and community empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading advice services and securing funding is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.
The Director of Advice Services provides strategic leadership for Toynbee Hall’s Advice Services Directorate, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible and impactful services that support people experiencing poverty, financial hardship, social exclusion and inequality.
The Interim Director of Advice Services is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all Advice Services delivered by Toynbee Hall. This includes direct delivery services, partnership programmes, grant-funded projects and commissioned contracts delivered across community, healthcare and criminal justice settings. The postholder will oversee a complex portfolio that includes:
- Debt advice and financial wellbeing services
- Welfare benefits and generalist advice services
- Legal advice services including employment and housing
- Welfare benefits services for customers with cancer
- Ministry of Justice-funded prison-based advice services
- Future commissioned, grant-funded and partnership programmes
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead the strategic direction and development of the Advice Services Directorate.
- Contribute to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Management Team.
- Ensure services align with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategic objectives and organisational priorities.
- Financial Planning and Performance
- Work with Finance colleagues to develop budgets, forecasts and financial plans across the Directorate.
- Ensure services operate within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
- Monitor financial performance across contracts, grants and programmes, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Business Development and Growth
- Lead the development and delivery of the Directorate’s growth strategy.
- Identify new funding, commissioning and partnership opportunities.
- Lead the development of bids, tenders and funding proposals.
- Contract and Partnership Management
- Provide strategic oversight of all contracts, grants and service agreements.
- Lead negotiations with commissioners, funders and delivery partners.
- Ensure effective contract management processes are embedded across the Directorate.
- Provide strategic oversight across all advice services including debt, welfare benefits, generalist advice, legal advice, Macmillan services and prison-based advice programmes.
- Ensure services are integrated where appropriate and provide a seamless client journey.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all service areas.
Person Specification
- Experience of leading large-scale advice, support, health, justice or community services and projects.
- Proven experience of business development, income generation and securing funding or contracts.
- Experience of leading complex partnerships / multi-agency programmes.
- Experience of negotiating and managing significant contracts, grants and service agreements.
- Strong understanding of service quality, governance, compliance and risk management.
- Experience of budget management, financial planning and working with finance colleagues to support effective financial oversight.
- Ability to build relationships and influence at senior level with funders, commissioners, regulators and strategic partners.
- Experience of working within or alongside the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).
- Experience leading within a senior Advice Services Directorate.
- Experience in developing or delivering advisor training and technical supervision.
- Understanding of criminal justice or mental-health service environments.
25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays). After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave. After 3 years: +1 additional day. After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.
Pension
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness.
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families.
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health.
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support.
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being.
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home.
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel.
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking.
- Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy.
- Life Insurance.
Interim Director of Advice Services in London employer: Toynbee Hall
Toynbee Hall is an exceptional employer, deeply committed to social justice and community support in the heart of East London. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous leave policies, enhanced sick pay, and comprehensive health benefits, fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative environment that values innovation and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Director of Advice Services in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Toynbee Hall.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Toynbee Hall.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Toynbee Hall.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Toynbee Hall. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Director of Advice Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Toynbee Hall. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Interim Director of Advice Services, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Toynbee Hall
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Toynbee Hall. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
