Job title: Training / Specialist Benefit Consultant

Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House, 1st Floor West, 110 Merrion Centre, LS2 8BB with Hybrid Working

in place

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

Leeds City Council is looking for a committed and experienced Training / Specialist Benefit Consultant to join our Welfare Rights service. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with extensive welfare benefits knowledge and strong leadership skills to help shape and deliver high quality support services for residents across Leeds.

In this key role, you will support the day to day management of the team, provide specialist welfare benefits training and consultancy, and help ensure that customers receive a responsive, caring and efficient service.

If you are passionate about welfare rights, service improvement and supporting people through challenging circumstances, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us in making Leeds the best city for everyone.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

We’re seeking someone who has:

Extensive knowledge of Welfare Benefits and Rights issues
Experience leading and motivating teams
Strong communication and organisational skills
Experience delivering customer-focused services
The ability to interpret legislation and implement change effectively
Experience developing staff and improving performance
The confidence to handle sensitive and complex situations professionally

About the role

As a Training / Specialist Benefit Consultant, you will:

Lead and supervise members of the Welfare Rights team
Deliver specialist welfare benefits advice, consultancy and training
Develop training materials, briefings and resources
Support service improvement and performance management
Build effective partnerships with internal and external organisations
Keep services up to date with welfare benefits legislation and policy changes
Assist with staff development, appraisal and attendance management
Deputise for the Section Manager when required

Additional Information

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent employment; applications will be considered on an individual basis.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Diane Coombes, Section Manager. Call 0113 3788394 or email diane.coombes@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To provide effective operational management and supervision of the Macmillan Welfare Rights Worker and Assistant Welfare Rights Workers, supporting the Section Manager and deputising where required.

To ensure the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused welfare rights service that meets agreed performance standards and organisational objectives.

To deliver specialist welfare benefits training, guidance, and consultancy support to Welfare Rights staff and relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and maintain a responsive, customer-focused service that effectively meets the needs of service users.
Work collaboratively with internal departments, partner agencies, and external organisations to promote independence and reduce financial hardship within communities.
Support the Advice & Access Manager and Section Manager in the development of service plans, performance targets, quality standards, and service evaluations.
Review and improve operational processes and procedures to maximise efficiency, effectiveness, and service outcomes.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits legislation and ensure relevant training and briefing sessions are delivered to staff.
Design, develop, and deliver specialist welfare benefits training programmes for internal and external staff groups.
Produce guidance materials, briefings, newsletters, and information resources relating to welfare benefits and associated legislation.
Provide expert welfare benefits consultancy and technical advice to colleagues and stakeholders.
Undertake day-to-day supervision and leadership responsibilities for direct reports, including:

Ensuring effective frontline service delivery and appropriate allocation of resources.
Identifying training and development needs and supporting continuous professional development.
Conducting performance management, supervision, and appraisal meetings.
Supporting attendance management processes where appropriate.
Maintaining effective communication through team meetings and one-to-one discussions.
Administering HR-related processes including annual leave and flexible working arrangements.
Ensuring compliance with Council policies relating to staff wellbeing, health and safety, lone working, DSE assessments, and workplace risk assessments.

Deputise for the Section Manager as required, undertaking delegated management responsibilities during periods of absence.
Assist in the effective financial management of the service budget, ensuring compliance with Council financial regulations and authorisation procedures.
Work flexibly to meet changing service demands and priorities.
Ensure all staff understand and comply with safeguarding responsibilities, data protection requirements, and information governance standards.
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and people management, ensuring equality of opportunity and outcome.
Foster a positive and supportive working environment that promotes employee wellbeing, engagement, and work-life balance.
Undertake duties in line with Leeds City Council’s values, behaviours, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications

Minimum Grade C/Level 4 GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics

Essential

Proven ability to effectively lead, motivate, and manage a team.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and complex enquiries appropriately.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion at all times.
Ability to manage performance effectively, set clear objectives, and deliver service improvements.
Strong relationship-building skills with colleagues, partners, stakeholders, and elected members.
Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
Competence in producing reports and presenting statistical and performance information.
Ability to support recruitment and selection processes.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Ability to contribute to budget management in accordance with Council financial procedures.
Ability to interpret policy and legislative changes and implement recommendations effectively

Knowledge and Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of welfare benefits and welfare rights legislation.
Good understanding of the public sector environment and associated challenges.
Knowledge of HR policies, procedures, and employee management practices

Experience

Experience of leading teams to achieve performance targets and deliver high-quality customer services.
Experience within a customer-focused service environment.
Experience of implementing operational improvements and changing working practices to enhance service delivery.
Experience of developing individuals and supporting team performance.
Experience of using a range of IT systems and software packages.
Experience of working flexibly in response to changing service demands.
Experience of managing challenging customer situations effectively and professionally.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters