Senior Advice Manager

About Toynbee Hall

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.

Job purpose

The Senior Advice Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management and coordination of Toynbee Hall’s debt advice services across multiple locations. The postholder will ensure services are appropriately resourced, accessible and delivered consistently, meeting agreed contractual, quality, compliance and performance requirements.

The Senior Advice Manager will manage and develop Debt Advisers, Trainee Debt Advisers and Administrators; monitor service performance and capacity; address operational issues and risks; and ensure appropriate action is taken where performance or quality falls below expected standards.

Working closely with the Head of Debt and Money, Quality Assurance and Technical Supervision colleagues, the postholder will use performance information, quality findings and operational insight to identify areas for improvement and ensure agreed actions are implemented.

Key Responsibilities

Management of local sites to ensure all services are available.

• Ensure local services are available daily by effectively managing staffing, sickness, annual leave, emergencies and operational challenges.
• Work closely with internal teams, external contractors and local stakeholders to ensure all sites operate safely, efficiently and in line with organisational standards.
• Identify resource gaps, operational risks and service pressures, implementing solutions to maintain service delivery and performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, housing providers, community organisations and partner agencies, representing Toynbee Hall at meetings, networking events and community engagement activities to strengthen referral pathways.

Line management of a team to ensure objectives are set and met

• Lead, motivate and support the team to achieve agreed service, quality, compliance and performance objectives.
• Conduct regular one-to-one supervision, team meetings and performance reviews providing constructive feedback and clear expectations.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff, identifying learning and development needs supporting career progression and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and support on complex debt advice cases, ensuring advisers deliver accurate, compliant and client-centred advice.

Ensure compliance and the quality of advice required are achieved

• Ensure the team consistently delivers high-quality, client-focused debt advice in line with FCA requirements, funder expectations and Toynbee Hall policies.
• Monitor case quality through audits, supervision, management information and performance data, implementing improvement plans where required.
• Analyse service performance and management information, identifying trends, risks and areas requiring action, and provide recommendations to the Head of Debt and Money.
• Ensure case files meet all quality assurance, audit and contractual standards.
• Manage and respond to complaints relating to debt advice service delivery in line with Toynbee Hall’s complaints procedure, ensuring appropriate investigation, timely resolution and that learning is used to improve service delivery.

Essential Criteria

Experience and Skills 

• Significant experience of managing frontline advice services and managing highperforming teams to achieve service, quality and performance objectives.
• Demonstrable experience of line management, including supervision, performance management, coaching, mentoring and staff development, including effectively addressing underperformance.
• Experience of delivering regulated debt advice services and having management responsibility for maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and client care. • Proven ability to provide technical guidance and appropriate support on complex debt advice cases, working within agreed technical supervision and escalation arrangements.
• Hold a recognised debt advice qualification (e.g. CertMAP or equivalent) with demonstrable experience of delivering FCA-regulated debt advice and supporting the quality and development of debt advice practice.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to
  inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, funders and external
  stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Our Benefits Package

Annual Leave

• 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

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• 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 Healthcare Cash Plan
• Perk Box

Further information

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

Please refer to the attached job description for more details