Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance)

Hampshire County Council; Abbots Worthy; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Generous annual leave

Sick pay

Job summary

Hampshire County Council seeks a Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance) to lead a newly established function focused on driving SEND improvements across the county. You will oversee governance, assurance and essential strategy while ensuring delivery against outcomes for children and families.

You will influence senior leaders, perform strategic reviews and engage partners across education, health and social care, with travel required across Hampshire as needed.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategic improvement, assurance or governance activity.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting complex data and financial information.
• Proven ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders and partners.
• Strong understanding of the local government environment, including governance, accountability and political decision-making.
• Think strategically and operate effectively in complex, evolving environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Hampshire's SEND Improvement & Assurance Framework and SEND Improvement & Assurance Board, providing strategic oversight, governance and accountability.
• Monitor system performance, risks and delivery, identifying improvements and coordinating assurance activity where needed.
• Analyse complex performance and financial information, turning evidence into clear intelligence and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead strategic reviews, deep dives and assurance activity to evaluate impact, inform investment decisions and support long-term sustainability.
• Build strong relationships across education, health and social care, influencing partners and senior leaders to drive improvement.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports, assurance findings and recommendations to senior leaders, governance boards and partnership forums.
• Travel to other locations within Hampshire as necessary.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Public sector knowledge

Job description

As Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance), you'll play a key role in influencing the future direction of SEND services across Hampshire. Leading a newly established function at the heart of Hampshire's approach to SEND improvement, governance and accountability, you'll provide the strategic oversight, assurance and challenge needed to ensure services, programmes and investment deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.,

• Lead Hampshire's SEND Improvement & Assurance Framework and SEND Improvement & Assurance Board, providing strategic oversight, governance and accountability.
• Monitor system performance, risks, outcomes and delivery, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating assurance activity where needed.
• Analyse complex performance and financial information, turning evidence into clear intelligence and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead strategic reviews, deep dives and assurance activity to evaluate impact, inform investment decisions and support long-term sustainability.
• Build strong relationships across education, health and social care, influencing partners and senior leaders to drive improvement.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports, assurance findings and recommendations to senior leaders, governance boards and partnership forums, supporting effective decision-making and accountability., Shape a new strategic function with the opportunity to influence the future direction of SEND services across Hampshire., You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary., We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. Significant experience leading strategic improvement, assurance or governance activity.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience interpreting complex data and financial information and translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders and partners to deliver change and improvement.
• Strong understanding of the local government environment, including governance, accountability and political decision-making.
• The ability to think strategically and operate effectively in complex, evolving environments, bringing clarity and focus where there is ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement and strengthening outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families. Play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND through system-wide leadership, insight and partnership working.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.