Senior Programme Manager - SEND Transformation

Eden Brown Synergy; East Horsley; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eden Brown Synergy is seeking a Senior Programme Manager for our Additional Needs and Disabilities Transformation Team in Surrey. You will lead strategic initiatives focused on SEND Reform and the Experts at Hand programme, shaping delivery and efficiency for children and families services.

Working in a hybrid model, you will collaborate with service leads, board members, and partners across health, education and social care, ensuring governance is robust and outcomes are achieved through strong

Qualifications

• Professional programme management qualification or equivalent senior-level experience.
• Experience leading and implementing complex transformation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of Children’s Services, Education, or Health, ideally SEND.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse problems, assess risk, and propose solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic transformation initiatives for AND, driving continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and board members to align with long-term strategy.
• Oversee governance, manage resources and resolve issues to ensure outcomes.

Skills

Programme management

Transformation programmes

Children’s Services/Education/Health

Influencing & negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical problem solving

Job description

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.

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, youll be part of a dynamic team where youll 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.

Youll 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 councils long‑term strategic vision. You will also be required to attend Board meetings to provide strategic updates.

Youll 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, youll 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 Childrens 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.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.