Project Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager, Operations Manager

Role Purpose

To manage and deliver key projects that drive the transformation of services and processes across Surrey County Council's Children, Families & Lifelong Learning (CFLL) Directorate. Working closely with Programme Managers and cross-functional teams to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with the Council's strategic transformation objectives.
Oversee project planning, manage resources, and mitigate risks to ensure successful implementation of change initiatives. Drive continuous improvement and foster collaboration to contribute to enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of Council services, contributing to the Council's transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Key accountabilities
1. Oversee the end-to-end delivery of assigned projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and in line with the Council's transformation objectives.
2. Ensure project outputs support and contribute to the programme's objectives in collaboration with the Programme Manager.
3. Manage the allocation and utilisation of resources across the project, ensuring effective use of people, finances, and materials to achieve project goals.
4. Track project progress, ensuring milestones are met and providing regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders on performance, risks, and issues.
5. Proactively identify risks and issues that may impact project delivery, implementing effective mitigation strategies to ensure projects stay on track.
6. Manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring their ongoing support and involvement throughout the project lifecycle.
7. Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, schedules, and status reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with project goals.
8. Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to the ongoing improvement of project management practices and methodologies, ensuring lessons learned are captured and shared for future projects.

The Children's Social Care (CSC) Transformation and CFLL Savings team operates in a dynamic, agile environment, delivering strategic transformation initiatives across the council.

Emphasising continuous improvement, the service requires team members to proactively identify opportunities for collaboration, optimisation, and efficiency gains. Effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders are essential for the successful delivery of transformation initiatives. The team is committed to excellence, innovation, and strategic alignment, focusing on delivering value and driving positive change across the organisation.
Project Managers work within a matrix programme team, collaborating with colleagues across the Commissioning for Transformation function. They manage and deliver key projects within CFLL, demonstrating agility and flexibility. They quickly and credibly embed themselves into new areas of work, applying their project management, strategic thinking, and leadership skills across all project management disciplines.

Project Managers may lead small to medium scale projects under the oversight of a Specialist Programme Manager or Programme Manager, depending on the scale and complexity of the work.

The Project Manager role demands significant effort and responsibility, overseeing the end-to-end delivery of key projects that drive the transformation of services and processes across the council. They navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, manage resources, and ensure alignment with the council's strategic transformation objectives. By applying strategic foresight and meticulous planning, they ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

Their work fosters continuous improvement and innovation, significantly contributing to the council's sustained success and operational excellence.

Analysis, Reporting & Documentation
Assess or conduct analysis, presenting results and putting forward recommendations on managing more complex situations to support decision making.
Analyse and make recommendations for improvement or development of existing systems, processes or policy.

Service Delivery
Maintain, develop and review systems, processes, procedures and working methods to maximise service delivery, quality, efficiency and compliance.
Provide specialist/professional advice and recommendations within defined policy/strategy and procedures to support informed decision making.

Planning & Organising
Plan workloads and secure resources to enable the team/s to achieve a quality service.
Lead projects and reviews within a defined area of work as directed by manager to support and enhance service delivery.

Finance/Resource Management
May assist with budget/resource/funding management in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures.

May have delegated responsibility for a budget(s).

Work with others
Liaise, communicate and build relationships with other…