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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.
Directorate background
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.
Job purpose
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.
Scope of role
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.
Service Portfolio Leadership
- 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
Essential Criteria:
- 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.
Desirable Criteria:
- 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.
Our Benefits
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 Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
- Perk Box
- Life Insurance
Please refer to the attached job description for more details.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
�� Are You the Candidate We’re Looking For? ��
At Shaftesbury, we’re looking for a Director of Accommodation Based Services to join our passionate and purpose-driven team. If you’re organised, detail-focused, and want to be part of something meaningful, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
You must hold a full current driving licence and the ability to travel to services and stay away from home overnight when required.
We’re not just hiring skills—we’re looking for people who genuinely care. People who want to make a difference. People who believe, as we do, that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full, independent, and flourishing life.
Guided by our core values—Open, Enabling, Inclusive and Courageous—we are proud to deliver outstanding support across our adult care, children’s services, and education settings. Every member of our team plays a vital role in helping the people we support thrive.
�� About the Role
The Director of Accommodation Based Services will be responsible for ensuring the operation of high quality, financially sustainable services across the country that are sustainable both now and in the future.
This role is home based with national travel as and when required.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Promoting the vision and values of Shaftesbury within the residential services.
- Leading by example and ensuring that you demonstrate the values in your leadership behaviours and how you support our teams and deliver our services.
- Ensuring you meet all targets and KPIs.
- To participate in Shaftesbury’s national on call rota.
- Develop key relationships and create strategic alliances with all commissioners.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that directly impacts the quality and safety of the services we provide.
�� Why Join Shaftesbury?
We know our people are our greatest asset, so we make sure you feel valued, supported, and rewarded:
✨ Recognition & Rewards – Be recognised by senior leaders and receive vouchers of up to £50 for going above and beyond
�� Professional Development – Access to an excellent training and development programme
��️ Generous Annual Leave – 25 days + bank holidays, rising to 28 days after 5 years
�� Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for the future
�� Wellbeing Support – Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
�� Why You?
You’ll bring:
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- The ability to manage multiple priorities
- A proactive, team-focused mindset
- Diploma level (Level 5) or equivalent level qualification
- Evidence of continued professional and personal development
- Experience within a senior management position previously
- Track record of service improvement and operational achievement
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.