Senior Programme Manager

This permanent role has a starting salary of -73,317 to -80,576 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We have a great opportunity to join our AND (Additional Needs and Disabilities) Transformation Team as a Senior Programme Manager. This role will be working on SEND Reform and the Experts at Hand programme.

We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average and support working from home the rest of the time.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days'' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years'' service and 31 days after 5 years'' service (prorated for part time staff)
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer''s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About Us

Our guiding principle, ''No One Left Behind'', is at the heart of everything we do in Surrey. It shapes our priority objectives and the way we deliver services. The Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) Directorate is committed to investing in internal transformation teams. This team is crucial in driving high-impact changes for children with Additional Needs and Disabilities (AND) in Surrey. The team will spearhead various projects aimed at improving service delivery and efficiency, ensuring we stay true to our guiding principle.

The transformation team is dedicated to shaping, driving, and facilitating sustainable change and improvement for children in Surrey. By partnering with, challenging, and supporting our stakeholders, we strive to achieve better outcomes for children and young people, against a challenging financial context.

We are looking for transformation professionals with programme management experience in Additional Needs and Disabilities, to lead our programme of work focussing on the implementation of our SEND Reform plan and associated Experts at Hand programme.

Our Additional Needs and Disabilities Transformation Team work directly with service leads and operational teams both within Surrey County Council Education and Lifelong Learning but also across our partners including health commissioners and providers, education settings and the voluntary and community sector.

About the Role

As a Senior Programme Manager for AND, you''ll be part of a dynamic team where you''ll lead strategic transformation initiatives that drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Your expertise and understanding of the Additional Needs and Disabilities legislative context, SEND Reform landscape, and of key stakeholders will be crucial in shaping and driving our programme activities.

You''ll collaborate with colleagues across the council, including programme Senior Responsible Owners, relevant Board members, and wider system stakeholders, ensuring our activities are well-informed and aligned with the council''s long-term strategic vision. You will also be required to attend Board meetings to provide strategic updates.

You''ll oversee and manage substantial resource including staff supporting with programme related activities. You will ensure that effective project and programme governance is in place, so that if challenges arise, you''ll be well positioned to take appropriate corrective actions to resolve issues, maintain progress and ensure successful outcomes are achieved.

This role requires agility, flexibility, and the ability to embed yourself quickly and credibly into new and often complex areas of work involving multiple and varied stakeholders, therefore the ability to build and maintain effective relationships built on high support and challenge will be crucial to your success.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Appropriate professional programme management qualification or equivalent experience operating at a senior level.
• Substantial experience of leading and implementing complex, multifaceted transformation programmes.
• Substantial knowledge and expertise within Children''s Services and / or Education and / or Health, ideally within the SEND arena.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrable skills and experience of working with senior stakeholders and partnership working across different organisations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate problems, assess risk and identify/ suggest solutions.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. Using a recent example, please tell us about the key skills and experience you have in relation to complex programme management and large-scale change.
2. Please provide an example of a transformation project you led, detailing the challenges you faced, any strategies you used, and the measurable outcomes achieved.
3. Please tell us about a transformation programme you are most proud of and why.
4. Given what you know of the well documented challenges in the SEND space, and what the Government have set out in their SEND Reform ambitions, what do you see as the top priorities/ areas focus?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 12/10/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Interviews are planned for the 19th or 20th October 2026 and will be held in person at out Woking office.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey Council, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information on our website.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we''re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.