Job Introduction We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all. This role has a starting salary of £61,784 per annum, for working 36 hours per week. This is a fixed term / secondment opportunity until 31st March 2027. The Government has announced a change to how local services will be delivered in Surrey. From April 2027, two new unitary councils - East Surrey and West Surrey will replace the current 12 councils. Surrey County Council (SCC) will now work together with all councils in Surrey to implement this new model and ensure a smooth transition. The Senior Transformation Manager will play a key role working across all 12 Councils in Surrey supporting teams to deliver the complex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme working directly with services in a variety of ways, such as, how they disaggregate their work or put in place a new process that will required in the new organisations. 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) Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave 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 the Role Surrey County Council is seeking a Senior Transformation Manager to work within our Design function supporting services to deliver on the transition of in two new unitary authorities from April 2027. We will not be transforming or re-designing services but ensuring their safe transition. In this context there will still be range of issues to work through and design thinking will be a critical part of this process. We are looking for design professionals within a transformation context, with experience and understanding of consultancy tools and techniques within a Local Authority setting and the ability to work across all business areas. The Senior Transformation Manager sits within the Design function of the Design & Transformation service. It has been developed so that we can directly utilise internal consultancy skills and expertise within our existing teams of design, programme and project management professionals. The work will be varied and require an individual who can confidently manage complex pieces of work, communicate intricate information to diverse stakeholders while balancing differing views and priorities. The successful candidate will be able to engage directly with stakeholders in a clear and professional manner. As a Senior Transformation Manager, you will play a key role in developing design-led approaches to support the councils’ transition, and work alongside programme managers and subject matter experts (SMEs) to apply these approaches. You will work collaboratively with services as an internal consultant to identify the root causes to problems, identify and evaluate transition options and recommend the appropriate implementation approach using a range of consultancy and design tools and techniques. This may include delivering workshops, workstream meetings and steering groups. data analysis and best practice research, As a Senior Transformation Manager, you will: Lead complex, politically sensitive LGR projects from inception to delivery, within the context of the wider LGR programme. Collaborate with stakeholders to define problems, align objectives, and co-create solutions. Use data-driven insights to measure impact and inform decision-making. Champion continuous improvement and innovation across the organisation. Mentor and support junior colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and excellence. Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and contribute to LGR transition planning. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours: A degree or equivalent professional qualification, with significant experience in design or transformation consultancy roles. Proven experience leading organisational change using a range of methodologies. Design skills and experience of operating models and their relevance to supporting large scale organisational change. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels. Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Experience managing complex projects in a dynamic, political environment. A collaborative, agile mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions: Please tell us about the key skills and experience you have in Design/ consultancy within a public sector or related organisation that you will be able to bring to this role. Please provide an example of a design consultancy project you have led, detailing the challenges you faced, any strategies you used, and the measurable outcomes achieved. Please tell us about a design/ transformation project you are most proud of and why. Explain how this relates to the advertised role. Given what you know of the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation agenda in Surrey, what do you see as the top priorities/ areas of focus for service design? 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. Contact Us 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. Please contact Joanne Parkinson via email at joanne.parkinson@surreycc.gov.uk . The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15/03/2026 with interviews to follow. 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, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council 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 criteria, 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.

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