Employment Support Operations Manager
We are excited to recruit an Employment Support Operations Manager to join our fantastic team. The position is headquartered at Woodhatch Place, Reigate, but is a county-wide hybrid role. The starting salary is £63,823 per annum (36‑hour week) and the contract is fixed‑term until March 2029, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.
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 residents
About The Team
The Economy and Growth team focuses on growing Surrey's economy, working as “One Council” to ensure no one is left behind. We provide strategic leadership and direct delivery of services in business support, innovation, skills and places for the benefit of Surrey's 110,000 businesses and 1.2 million residents. Our work is driven by the belief that we can support our communities and businesses to thrive by connecting residents with a wide range of employment and skills opportunities.
Through an employer‑led model we oversee programmes that help Surrey residents find, maintain and remain in work. These programmes are funded by DWP through Connect to Work and WorkWell. We are committed to cross‑team consolidation of activity across our area of work, integrating programmes both with each other and within the wider team – the fundamental principle on which the post will operate. By working in this way, you will lead the delivery of seamless employment support services through a single, coherent front door of support for residents, businesses and employers.
Connect to Work, which is in early stages of in‑house delivery, uses the established model of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – a “place‑then‑train” evidence‑based method of supported employment. The SEQF element will be managed by an external delivery partner, which this role will be expected to align operationally. WorkWell is an emerging programme built on learnings from a pilot year, as a coaching service that aligns work and health provision to support residents overcome health‑related barriers to remain in or return to work. Together these programmes, along with our newly devolved Adult Skills fund and an extensive local skills development offer that includes Skills Bootcamps, provide a coherent employment and skills offer to Surrey's residents and businesses.
About the Role
The postholder will provide the day‑to‑day oversight and management of integrated front‑line employment support services in a fast‑paced, target‑driven environment. As part of the operational oversight role, the postholder will be responsible for Team Leaders and associated Employment Specialists and Coaches delivering front‑line services to Connect to Work and WorkWell. The postholder will also manage Community Activators, maximising grassroots and health and community partnerships across the county to ensure high‑quality referrals and that our programmes reach those who would most benefit.
The role will be crucial in the continued operational success of Connect to Work, improving operational processes through strong coordination and management of Team Leaders and Employment Specialists to ensure a high‑quality service that meets Fidelity requirements. The role will also be responsible for designing and establishing operational processes for WorkWell ahead of launch later in the year and should have a good understanding of health‑related barriers to employment and how “good work” can support improved health outcomes.
You will be expected to attend one day with the Economy and Growth team in the office (currently Tuesday) and this “anchor day” is combined with attendance at some in‑person meetings, engagement in community settings, delivering and participating in workshops and events, which will require travel across the county. The post reports directly into the Employment Support Strategic Programme Manager and you will be expected to work horizontally with colleagues across the wider Economy & Growth function of over 80 people.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application should clearly evidence the following skills:
* Substantial operational experience of managing and overseeing employment support programmes at scale, recognising barriers to employment, particularly those relating to health conditions.
* Ability to coach and manage operational front‑line teams, with an understanding and experience of delivering within the IPS Fidelity models of employment support.
* Experience of successfully delivering within a target‑driven environment where quality of service is equally important.
* Significant experience of stakeholder management, across the public, private and voluntary sector.
* Demonstrable experience of working with employers and an ability to deliver success from the perspective of the employer.
* Experience in establishing operational process and overseeing implementation of employment support programmes with a continuous‑improvement approach.
* An ability to navigate complex issues and challenges and provide solutions.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and outline your experience and suitability for the role by responding to the following questions (no more than 400 words for each):
1. Please describe your experience of operational management and oversight of target‑driven employment support programmes. What were the key challenges and successes and what was your role?
2. WorkWell operates at the intersection of employment, health and local government systems. Please describe your experience of designing and embedding operational processes to meet the demands of new programmes of work that cut across all sectors.
3. This role requires significant multi‑agency working across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Describe your experience of working in this environment, giving examples of where you have had a positive impact.
Application Deadline
The close date for this advert is 23:59 on Friday 28th June 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.
Our Commitment
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.
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