Strategic Manager (Send Improvement & Assurance)

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured EAP

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is recruiting a Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance) to lead a new function shaping SEND governance and improvement. You will oversee performance, assurance and investment decisions across Hampshire's SEND services for children and young people and their families.

You will influence senior leaders, shape strategy across Education & Inclusion and the Local Area Partnership, and drive a culture of continuous improvement with robust reporting and accountability.

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 senior leaders and partners to deliver change and improvement.
• Strong understanding of the local government environment, including governance, accountability and political decision-making.
• Ability to think strategically and operate in complex environments with clarity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management to strengthen SEND outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND Improvement & Assurance Framework and SEND Improvement & Assurance Board, providing strategic oversight, governance and accountability.
• Monitor system performance, risks and delivery, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating assurance activity.
• Analyse complex performance and financial information, turning evidence into clear intelligence and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead strategic reviews and assurance activity to evaluate impact and inform investment decisions.
• Build strong relationships across education, health and social care to drive improvement.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports and recommendations to senior leaders and partnership forums.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Analytical skills

Influence senior leaders

Local government understanding

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Job description

Salary Range: £58,143 - £65,162 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 15 November 2026

Interview Date: 24 November 2026

The Role:

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.

Working across Education & Inclusion and the wider Local Area Partnership, you'll help shape a culture of performance, accountability and continuous improvement across the SEND system. Leading the SEND Improvement & Assurance Board (SENDIAB), you'll bring together performance information, financial intelligence, audit findings, stakeholder feedback and strategic reviews to build a clear picture of system effectiveness. Through robust governance, assurance and constructive challenge, you'll help senior leaders understand strengths, risks and priorities, enabling evidence-based decision-making and driving improvement across the system.

What you’ll do:

• 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.

What we’re looking for:

• 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.

• Shape a new strategic function with the opportunity to influence the future direction of SEND services across Hampshire.
• 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 .

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: SEND Improvement & Assurance Manager, SEND Performance & Assurance Manager, Strategic SEND Improvement Manager, SEND Governance & Assurance Manager, Improvement & Assurance Manager (SEND).

Travel Requirements:
You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance) • Winchester, HAM, GB