Citizens Advice SORT Group
Head of Specialist Advice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Title: Welfare & Debt Services Delivery Lead Contract: Maternity Cover – August 2026 – May 2027 (Potential transition into a permanent role)
About the Role
Seeking a bold, experienced advocate and leader to manage our specialist advice and complex casework functions in a user-centred charity. With the opportunity to shape supportive partnerships, strategic growth, and operational excellence, this responsibility aligns with a charity that values diversity, safeguarding, and collaborative leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership across energy, welfare rights, and debt advice networks.
- Oversee the development of high-quality, client-centred specialist services.
- Establish continuous improvement initiatives linked to service effectiveness and client outcomes.
- Support organisation transformation, innovation, and alignment with regulatory targets (FCA, AQS, Citizens Advice).
- Ensure technical compliance with funder guidelines and sector standards.
People Leadership
- Lead and mentor operational teams (Delivery Managers, specialist advisers).
- Foster a supportive, inclusive culture while prioritising team development.
- Embed robust technical supervision, safeguarding, and mental health support frameworks.
Partnerships & Service Development
- Strengthen relationships with funders, external partners, and key stakeholders.
- Pilot collaborative service improvements aligned with specialist advice needs.
- Oversee reporting, service integration (North West/regionally), and mobilisation campaigns.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Operational Excellence
- Monitor operational performance, workload dynamics, and case complexity.
- Ensure the managing of high-risk cases efficiently, within legislative and ethical standards.
- Optimise systems, referral routes, and capacity processes.
- Champion service resilience and workforce planning.
Quality & Safeguarding Assurance
- Guarantee technical quality assurance across advisory services.
- Oversee safeguarding protocols, including escalation management and risk mitigation.
- Lead improvement action after quality assessments, audits, or reviews.
Essential Criteria
✅ Core Experience:
- Proven track record in managing specialist advice or complex service delivery functions (5+ years advised).
- Deep familiarity with quality assurance, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance in advice sectors.
- Hands-on experience in technical supervision/high-risk casework.
✅ Leadership & Collaboration:
- Ability to guide teams from operational to strategic levels while embedding innovation.
- Define vision and drive organisational growth in a collaborative culture.
- Champion diversity & equity in service design and delivery.
✅ Core Values:
- Absolute commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
- Shared belief in inclusive, values-driven leadership.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desired Skills/Attributes
- Proactive Mindset: Commitment to self-development and upskilling across teams.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work unsocial hours (weekends, travel) as required.
- Tech-Savvy: Eagerness to explore/drive adoption of digital advancements in practice.
- Regional Exposure: Experience with cross-Northwest stakeholder engagements.
Salary & Structure
- Salary: £48,000–£50,680 (depending on experience)
- Working Pattern: Home-based ( urbo -significant in-person attendance across Greater Manchester & North West markets).
- Hourly Commitment: 35 hrs/week, full-time (job share flexible).
Application Details
- Closing Date: 15 July 2026
- Interviews: To be announced (TBC)
Benefits Package
- Flexible Working, including job share options.
- Annual Leave: 30 days + bank holidays (pro rata).
- Financial Perks:
- 3% employer pension contribution.
- Employee assistance scheme.
- CRIS: Kids Connect® savings/rewards platform.
- Wellbeing: Comprehensive mental health and development support.
- Growth Initiatives: Continuous learning opportunities rooted in sector-specific strategies.
Note: This document represents functional scope’—adaptability within departmental priorities remains core. Duties may diverge to reflect organisational needs.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location