Interim Programme Lead - Children's Social Care Transformation

Surrey | Hybrid Working | Interim Contract until March 2027 | £600 to £800 per day Umbrella

Are you an experienced transformation leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children, young people and families?

We are working in partnership with a leading local authority to recruit an Interim Programme Lead to deliver a high-profile transformation programme across Children's Social Care, Early Help and the wider directorate.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead complex, system-wide change, working alongside senior leaders to shape and deliver ambitious transformation that will improve services, drive efficiencies and deliver lasting benefits for children and families.

The Role

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Transformation, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a significant programme of change, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and aligned to the council's wider priorities.

You will lead a team of Programme, Transformation and Project Managers while working collaboratively with Assistant Directors, Heads of Service and partner organisations to embed sustainable improvement across Children's Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a complex transformation programme across Children's Social Care and Early Help.
• Develop and oversee a prioritised programme of change aligned to strategic objectives.
• Provide leadership, direction and support to programme and project teams.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation and partner agencies.
• Ensure effective programme governance, reporting and risk management.
• Drive service improvement through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based decision making.
• Support the delivery of financial efficiencies while improving outcomes for children and families.

About You

We're looking for an experienced programme leader who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience delivering large-scale transformation programmes within Children's Services, local government or a comparable public sector environment.
• A proven track record of delivering measurable service improvements and financial efficiencies.
• Strong programme management, governance and change management expertise.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through complex organisational change.
• A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to programme delivery.

What's on Offer?

• Interim contract through to 31 March 2027
• Hybrid working
• Competitive senior-level day rate
• Opportunity to lead a high-profile transformation programme with real impact
• Oversight of a £1.3m programme budget and delivery of significant transformation initiatives
• Leadership of a dedicated programme and transformation team

If you're a driven transformation professional looking to make a lasting difference to Children's Services, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more or to apply in confidence, please contact apply online or contact Rebecca at Sellick Partnership.

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.