Programme Support Officer, SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
This role has a starting salary of £36,873 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week. A fixed‑term contract/secondment until 31 March 2027.
We are hiring a Programme Support Officer to play a key role in supporting the smooth and efficient delivery of our high‑priority transformation programmes within Children’s Social Care and the CFLL Directorate. These programmes are central to achieving strategic objectives and, in particular, this role will support the Efficiencies programme and its projects, looking at how we can achieve savings across the directorate and supporting specific pieces of work.
Hybrid working: at least two days per week may be spent in locations across Surrey. This includes one day a week with the team in Woking, with another spent in Surrey dependent on business requirements.
Our Offer to You
* 26 days holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years and 31 days after 5 years (prorated for part‑time staff)
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* A generous local government salary‑related pension
* Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
* An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
* Learning and development hub with a wealth of resources
* Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel and shopping
* A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About The Role
You will provide essential support to coordinating programme and project‑level governance, maintaining accurate and timely management information, overseeing forward plans, actions, board packs, chasing reports and highlight reporting as well as wider team support.
Key outputs include:
* Ensuring effective organisation, preparation and maintenance of management information for the overall programme, e.g. programme plan, resource management plan, engagement plans and action logs.
* Coordinating and maintaining programme‑level governance meetings, managing logistics, minute‑taking and managing actions logs.
* Managing the highlight reporting cycle for the Project, Programme Boards and Portfolio Office and coordinating the production of programme‑level highlight reports, updates and management information as required.
* Supporting members of the programme team with all aspects of organising and preparing meetings and workshops, including arranging rooms and equipment, managing attendance lists, minute‑taking and providing other assistance as required.
* Liaising, communicating and building relationships across the organisation and with suppliers to respond to ad‑hoc queries and to support and represent the team.
* Continuously reviewing and recommending improvements to the programme, supporting processes and tools and their implementation to ensure best practices are shared across the team.
Whilst you will not directly line‑manage, you may indirectly manage others to support the delivery of specific work activities.
The CFLL directorate’s key priorities are to improve children’s social care, transform services for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, enable all‑age learning, deliver new models for emotional wellbeing and mental health services, and health/social care integration. The role sits within the Children’s Social Care Transformation, developing and maintaining strong and effective relationships across departments, programme teams, customers and key external partners.
Your Application
To be considered for shortlisting, your application must evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively enough to influence others.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and ensure best practice is adhered to.
* Understanding of the responsibilities and related tasks throughout the lifecycle of a project.
* Attention to detail with the ability to manage, analyse and present information and data relating to the role.
Applicants must be educated to A level standard or hold a professional business qualification to NVQ level 4, or demonstrate experience within a project environment.
A CV and answers to the following four questions will be required:
1. Describe your experience providing project support to a project previously. What tasks did you undertake and how did they impact the overall project?
2. Can you provide an example of how you effectively communicated with stakeholders to create clear, actionable information when supporting a project?
3. Can you provide an example of a time you have shown attention to detail when supporting a project? Why is attention to detail important?
4. Please tell us about a time you have had to manage multiple competing deadlines to ensure the success of a project. What did you find particularly challenging in your given example?
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role, including flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 30th November 2025 with interviews planned to follow.
Local Government Organisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment
We are a disability‑confident employer which means that if you have a shared disability on your application form and have evidence that you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, valuing inclusion and warmly welcoming you to help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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