Strategic Service Manager in Winchester

Job Reference: HCC624548

Salary Range: £56,285 - £63,080 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 August 2026

Interview Date: w/c 7 September 2026

The Role

Joining our Care Governance and Quality Assurance function as an experienced and inspirational Strategic Service Manager, you’ll be passionate about involving service users, carers, communities, and partners to improve services for Hampshire’s adult population. With shifts in national policy and local developments, this is an exciting time to shape and lead the co-production of new strategic approaches. Key priorities include establishing the first system-wide Hampshire Dementia Strategy to improve the experiences and outcomes for people living with dementia and unpaid carers, alongside driving our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. Your role offers the unique opportunity to influence meaningful change at a strategic level while making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable adults and unpaid carers across Hampshire.

You will play a central role in the co-production and maintenance of evidence-based policy, guidance and procedure that forms the backbone of high quality, legally compliant social work practice.

What you’ll do

• Act as the strategic lead for co-production across Adults’ Services, building and maintaining relationships with people with lived experience, carers and partner organisations.
• Drive the development and delivery of major strategic priorities, including the first system-wide Hampshire Dementia Strategy, the Directorate’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and the delivery of the Social Care Workforce Race and Equality Standard.
• Lead the co-production, development and maintenance of evidence-based policies, guidance and procedures that support high-quality, accessible, legally compliant social work practice and oversee the Directorate’s Social Care Practice Manual.
• Lead the development of Adults’ Services strategic relationship with Academia, creating opportunities to build pathways between academic research and social care practice to drive innovation and evidence-based approaches.
• Ensure all research activity complies with ethical standards, governance requirements and data protection legislation.
• Co-ordinate and support preparation for external inspections, including CQC assurance and CQC/Ofsted SEND inspections.
• Manage and support a team responsible for policy, engagement and EDI, ensuring delivery against organisational priorities and continuous improvement objectives.
• Provide strategic advice, assurance and reporting to senior leaders, boards and governance structures on progress, risks and outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• Extensive experience of leading strategic projects and programmes, managing complex and competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of adult social care, including the legislative, regulatory and policy landscape, with a commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable adults.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality briefings, reports and presentations for senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative and politically astute, with the ability to build credible relationships, influence partners and represent the organisation confidently across a range of strategic forums.
• Proven experience of co-production, engagement and partnership working, including working alongside people with lived experience, partners and academic institutions to inform policy, practice and service improvement.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, able to interpret complex information, develop evidence-based recommendations and support decision-making at a senior level.
• An inclusive and values-driven leader, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the Directorate’s core values: person-centred, resilience, accountability and working together.

Why join us?

• Benefit from the opportunity to lead high-profile strategic programmes and influence change across Hampshire's health and social care system.
• Enjoy a rewarding role at the forefront of innovation, co-production and service improvement, with the chance to make a lasting impact on people's lives.
• Work alongside passionate colleagues, partners and communities who are committed to improving outcomes for adults and carers.
• Be part of a supportive and inclusive working environment that offers flexible working, professional development and opportunities for career progression.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Travel Requirements

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

Values Based Recruitment

We recruit for attitudes and values in Adults’ Health and Care. We invite you to evidence how you demonstrate our 5 core values in your application. For more information on our values, please refer to the candidate pack.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.