Transformation Manager

Local Government Chronicle; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency is seeking a Transformation Manager for the Neurodiversity Partnership Programmes. This role will involve driving continuous improvement for children with neurodiversity across the Surrey region. The successful candidate will lead complex transformation projects, ensuring effective governance and collaborative strategies with health and local authority partners. Ideal applicants will have experience in programme management, stakeholder engagement, and a deep understanding of neurodiversity services. The position offers a salary of £61,784 per annum and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading and delivering complex transformation programmes.
• Knowledge in Health and/or Children's Services, ideally SEND/Neurodiversity.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Create a comprehensive map of provision for neurodiversity services.
• Work with AuDHDOps to understand current access and interventions.
• Facilitate whole-system planning and joint commissioning.

Skills

Programme management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Education

Programme management qualification or equivalent senior-level experience

Job description

Overview

Transformation Manager for Neurodiversity Partnership Programmes. This role is a fixed term contract/secondment for up to 6 months (until 31 March 2026). Starting salary of 61,784 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. Hybrid working with at least two days per week in locations across Surrey, including one day/week with the team in Woking and another in Surrey dependent on business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create a comprehensive, up-to-date map of all provision for children\'s neurodiversity services and groups commissioned and delivered by the LA, NHS, and partners across the Surrey system.
• Work with the Autism, ADHD Operational Teams (AuDHDOps) and frontline teams to understand current arrangements, including access, eligibility, interventions, and waiting times.
• Assess how current provision meets needs across the continuum, identifying overlaps or gaps.
• Bring together key leaders to enable whole-system planning and strategy, supporting effective joint commissioning with emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
• Establish governance lines across organisations to ensure coordinated decision-making and budget allocation.

You will ensure effective project and programme governance is in place, enabling corrective actions to resolve issues, maintain progress, and achieve successful outcomes. The expected benefits include coordinated planning and delivery across LA and NHS, clear provision for schools and families, up-to-date information, avoidance of duplication, streamlined joint working, reduced reliance on formal assessments where possible, and more cost-effective service delivery through aligned investment.

About The Team

The AND Transformation team shapes, drives, and facilitates sustainable change for children with additional needs in Surrey. We partner with stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and young people, within a challenging financial context. The team works with service leads and operational teams within Surrey County Council Education and Lifelong Learning, and with health commissioners/providers, education settings, and the voluntary and community sector. The Programme aligns with the AND Partnership Improvement Plan post-Ofsted inspection (2023) and the AND Partnership Strategy and Safety Valve conditions.

About The Role

As Transformation Manager for Neurodiversity Partnership Programmes, you\'ll work across local authority and health sectors to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Your understanding of the Neurodiversity landscape and stakeholders will shape and drive programme activities. You\'ll collaborate with colleagues across the council and health partners to:

• Create a comprehensive map of provision for all neurodiversity services across Surrey.
• Work with AuDHDOps and frontline teams to understand current access, eligibility, interventions, and waiting times.
• Assess how provision meets needs and identify gaps or overlaps.
• Facilitate whole-system planning and joint commissioning with emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
• Establish governance that enables coordinated decision-making and budget allocation.

You will ensure effective governance so challenges can be addressed, progress maintained, and outcomes achieved. Benefits include coordinated planning across LA and NHS, clarity on provision, accurate information, avoidance of duplication, streamlined joint working, reduced reliance on assessments where appropriate, and cost-effective service delivery.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered, your application should clearly evidence the following:

• Appropriate programme management qualification or equivalent senior-level experience
• Substantial experience leading and delivering complex transformation programmes
• Substantial knowledge/experience in Health and/or Children\'s Services and/or Education, ideally in SEND/Neurodiversity
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and across partner organisations
• Strong analytical skills with ability to evaluate problems, assess risk, and propose solutions

Application Questions

To apply, upload your CV and answer the following questions:

• Using a recent example, describe key skills/experience in complex programme management and large-scale change.
• Provide an example of a programme you led with multi-stakeholder collaboration, challenges faced, strategies used, and measurable outcomes.
• Describe a transformation programme you are most proud of and why.
• What are the top priorities/areas of focus in the neurodiversity space?

For an informal discussion about the role please email. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 28 September 2025; interviews to follow in person at our Woking office.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation to implement the Government-led devolution policy, giving more powers to local areas. Surrey will transition from a two-tier system to a smaller number of unitary councils in April 2027. At that point, this role will transfer with terms and conditions intact to one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government with innovative solutions and improved services for our community.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants who evidence the minimum criteria and choose to share their disability on the application form. The application process allows reasonable adjustments for interviews/roles. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.

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Surrey County Council
Knaphill, Woking, UK
Contract
Published on 17 Sep 2025