This role has a salary of £41,585 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week. This is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to ongoing programme funding in 2027/28 and beyond.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the South East's manufacturing economy. Join our dedicated Economy and Growth Team and play a pivotal role in delivering the Made Smarter Adoption programme across the region. If you are an organised, relationship‑driven professional with experience in programme delivery, business engagement, or operational coordination - and you're passionate about supporting SMEs, students, and universities to collaborate and innovate - we encourage you to apply.
This role offers hybrid working, with regular travel across Surrey and the South East, and weekly anchor days at Woodhatch Place, Reigate.
Our Offer to You
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
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 dependents 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 residentsAbout the Team
The Economy and Growth team is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development across Surrey, working collaboratively as 'One Council' to support strategic priorities that benefit the county's 1.2 million residents. The team provides key services in business support, innovation, skills, and infrastructure, and works with major employers and local partners to strengthen the regional economy, home to 110,000 businesses contributing £50 billion annually to the UK economy.
This role sits within the Made Smarter South East Programme Delivery Team, working alongside Technology Adoption Specialists, Workforce Development Advisors, the Programme Support Officer and the Strategic Programme Manager. The programme supports SME manufacturers to adopt digital technologies, boost productivity, and develop future talent.
About the Role
Surrey County Council is seeking a proactive and detail‑oriented Operations Officer to lead the operational delivery of the Made Smarter South East internship programme and support the wider Made Smarter staff with process improvement, grant support and project management. This outward‑facing role works with the Organisation Workforce Development advisors, SME manufacturers, universities, and students to build a strong internship pipeline, scope meaningful projects, and ensure high‑quality placements that support digital adoption and innovation.
As the Operations Officer, you will:
Build and maintain strong relationships with SMEs, universities, students and partners
Lead the full internship lifecycle within the Made Smarter parameters
Maintain accurate operational records and ensure CRM data is consistently updated
Track internship KPIs and provide data for reporting to the Programme Manager and Steering Group
Manage job postings on university platforms and coordinate shortlisting, interviews and scheduling
Support delivery of events, workshops, and wider engagement activities
Identify and implement improvements to operational processes across the programme
Support marketing and awareness‑raising, including social media and event coordination
Collaborate across Surrey County Council's Economy & Growth team to connect SMEs with wider support offers, including skills, innovation, leadership development and NEET pathways
Maintain documentation standards and contribute to knowledge sharing across the programme
You will be responsible for delivering high‑quality operational support at pace to strengthen the region's manufacturing ecosystem.Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
Experience in programme delivery, business engagement, education partnerships, working with young people, or operational coordination
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate records
Experience using CRM systems or similar tools to manage pipelines and track KPIs
Ability to build and maintain relationships with businesses, universities, students and partners
Experience drafting structured documentation such as project scopes or job specifications
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and independently manage a varied workload
A proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement
Familiarity with PRINCE2 or another structured project‑management methodology (desirable)To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following four questions:
Please describe your experience managing operational delivery in a programme or service. How have you ensured accurate records, CRM updates, and consistent reporting?
This role is responsible for the full internship lifecycle, from supporting SMEs to coordinating student recruitment and supporting placements. Describe how you would manage this end to end process to achieve internship KPIs.
Give an example of a time you built and maintained relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., businesses, universities, students, partners). What approaches did you use to keep engagement strong.
Describe your experience using PRINCE2 or another project management methodology. How have you applied structured project management to deliver outcomes or manage risks?The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/03/2026 with interviews taking place in person at Woodhatch Place, Reigate between 17th March and 24th March 2026.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Commitment Wording
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced 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, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs