The starting salary for this role is £63,823 per annum, based on 36 hours per week. It is a fixed‑term position ending 30 March 2029.
Surrey County Council is recruiting a Surrey and Sussex WorkWell Strategic Programme Manager to lead the strategic oversight and coordination of a high‑profile, multi‑year programme across Surrey and Sussex. The position is based within the Economy & Growth service but will operate across the entire Surrey and Sussex ICB area. The role is hybrid, requiring at least one day a week at Woodhatch Place in Reigate (usually Tuesdays) and regular travel across the region for meetings, workshops and events.
Our Offer to You
* 26 days holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years and 31 days after 5 years of service
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* 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
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) supporting health and wellbeing
* Learning and development hub with a wealth of resources
* Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts—including gym, travel and shopping (available through local council benefits)
* A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About the Role
Surrey County Council is the Lead Accountable Body for the delivery of the national WorkWell programme across the Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB). Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), WorkWell supports people facing health‑related barriers to remain in or return to work through integrated employment, health and skills support.
As the Surrey and Sussex WorkWell Strategic Programme Manager you will provide strategic leadership, governance and delivery of the regional programme over Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. The role operates within a complex, fast‑paced and politically sensitive environment, requiring a highly collaborative and influential leader who can work effectively across organisational boundaries.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership to ensure the programme delivers on time, within budget, and to agreed outcomes and quality standards
* Act as the primary relationship lead with DWP, including engagement with national teams and sharing best practice
* Lead programme governance and assurance, including oversight of boards, reporting and decision‑making
* Work with the ICB and four upper‑tier authorities to ensure aligned and effective local delivery models
* Drive integration with wider work, health and skills priorities across Surrey & Sussex
* Oversee performance, finance, risk and compliance, ensuring robust programme management
* Manage a small team delivering assurance, improvement and quality across the programme
* Ensure full compliance with DWP grant conditions, reporting and audit requirements
Key Outcomes
* Coherent, system‑wide WorkWell programme across Surrey & Sussex
* Delivery of agreed employment outcomes on time and within budget
* Strong governance, performance and assurance in place
* Effective partnership working across NHS, local government and national stakeholders
* Full compliance with DWP requirements
Success will be measured by
Delivering a high‑impact, financially robust and fully integrated programme that improves employment outcomes and reduces health‑related inequalities.
Your Application
To be considered for shortlisting, you must demonstrate the following skills:
* Significant experience of leading or overseeing large‑scale employment, health or public service programmes within complex partnership environments
* Demonstrable experience of influencing and working collaboratively across NHS, local government and multi‑agency partnerships at a senior level
* Experience of multi‑agency programme governance, performance management, reporting and risk management within a target‑driven environment
* Ability to provide strategic leadership within politically sensitive and complex organisational settings
* Understanding of employment, health and skills systems and awareness of national policy context, particularly DWP‑led programmes and integrated care systems
Please answer the following questions (no more than 400 words each):
1. Describe your experience of leading or overseeing complex partnership programmes involving multiple organisations or systems. What was your role and what were the key challenges and outcomes?
2. WorkWell operates at the intersection of employment, health and local government systems. Please describe your experience of working across organisational boundaries to influence stakeholders and drive collaborative delivery.
3. Provide an example of a programme or service where you have led performance, governance or assurance arrangements in a target‑driven environment. How did you ensure delivery remained on track and risks were effectively managed?
The advert will close at 23:59 on Sunday 21 June, with interviews likely to take place at the start of July.
Local Government Reorganisation
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 1 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. If you have a disability on your application and meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
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