Transformation Manager - Children's Services

Civic Recruitment Limited; Surrey Heath; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited seeks a Transformation Manager for Surrey County Council's CFLL Directorate on a 3-month contract. You will lead high‑quality transformation, change and service improvement initiatives, working with senior leaders and partner agencies to deliver benefits.

You will apply LEAN, build operating models, develop business cases, and sustain customer-focused services, reporting on progress and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities across Children’s Services, Education

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification, or significant management-level experience.
• Extensive experience leading transformation, change or service improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of: Change Management, Project Management, Continuous Improvement Methodologies, Service Redesign Organisational Development.
• Experience using LEAN or similar process improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with senior leaders and complex stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of transformation and service improvement programmes across the CFLL Directorate.
• Drive organisational change and embed new ways of working.
• Evaluate existing services and identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency and innovation.
• Develop and implement transformation plans aligned to organisational priorities.
• Apply change management, project management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support the development of sustainable and customer-focused service models.
• Lead major projects, reviews and transformation initiatives.
• Undertake project scoping, options appraisals and feasibility reviews.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for service improvements.
• Deliver programmes through to implementation and benefits realisation.
• Manage project risks, issues, dependencies and reporting requirements.
• Monitor delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and outcomes.

Skills

Change Management

Project Management

Continuous Improvement

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Transformation Manager - Children's Services

Surrey Heath, United Kingdom | Posted on 03/11/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead and deliver high-quality transformation, change and service improvement initiatives across the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) Directorate, supporting Surrey County Council's strategic priorities and transformation programme.

The postholder will provide specialist consultancy, programme and project management expertise to drive organisational change, service redesign, efficiency improvements and innovation. Working closely with senior leaders, operational managers and partner organisations, the role will lead complex transformation projects from inception through to implementation and benefits realisation.

Key Responsibilities

Transformation & Change Management

• Lead the delivery of transformation and service improvement programmes across the CFLL Directorate.
• Drive organisational change and embed new ways of working.
• Evaluate existing services and identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency and innovation.
• Develop and implement transformation plans aligned to organisational priorities.
• Apply change management, project management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support the development of sustainable and customer-focused service models.
• Lead major projects, reviews and transformation initiatives.
• Undertake project scoping, options appraisals and feasibility reviews.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for service improvements.
• Deliver programmes through to implementation and benefits realisation.
• Manage project risks, issues, dependencies and reporting requirements.
• Monitor delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and outcomes.

Service Design & Improvement

• Lead service and organisational redesign activities.
• Facilitate the development of Target Operating Models and service blueprints.
• Conduct process reviews using methodologies such as LEAN.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer outcomes and service efficiency.
• Develop and implement performance improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with:
  • Senior Leaders
  • Service Managers
  • Programme Teams
  • Partner Agencies
  • External Stakeholders
• Facilitate workshops, consultations and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Influence and negotiate at senior levels across complex environments.
• Provide specialist advice and consultancy support to service areas.

Analysis, Reporting & Governance

• Analyse complex service, operational and performance information.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities to support decision-making.
• Produce reports, business cases, recommendations and programme documentation.
• Develop performance measures and benefits realisation frameworks.
• Support governance arrangements and reporting processes.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and support to project and transformation staff.
• Lead and support Assistant Transformation Managers and Project Managers where required.
• Build internal consultancy capability and encourage best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the development of transformation frameworks and methodologies.

Strategic Contribution

• Support delivery of key CFLL priorities including:
  • Children's Social Care Improvement
  • SEND Transformation
  • Learning and Skills Services
  • Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services
  • Health and Social Care Integration
  • Savings and Efficiency Programmes
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term service development.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification, or significant management-level experience.
• Extensive experience leading transformation, change or service improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Change Management
  • Project Management
  • Continuous Improvement Methodologies
  • Service RedesignOrganisational Development
• Business Cases
• Service Reviews
• Experience facilitating workshops and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Strong consultancy and influencing skills.
• Experience using process improvement methodologies such as LEAN.
• Experience working with senior leaders and complex stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
• Strong project and programme management experience.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and supporting colleagues.
• Experience within Local Government.
• Experience within Children's Services, Social Care, Education or Public Sector Transformation.
• Knowledge of Target Operating Models and organisational design.
• Experience supporting large-scale transformation and savings programmes.

Additional Information

• Location: Surrey (Hybrid Working with Travel Across the County)