At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative projects in Children's Social Care, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder engagement.
- Company: Surrey County Council, committed to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience, project management qualification, and strong problem-solving abilities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with flexible working options and career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 47142 - 52970 ÂŁ per year.
This fixed‑term role has a starting salary of £47,142 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week.
About the Role
As a Project Manager you will support priority programmes within the CFLL Transformation Team, focusing on Children’s Social Care transformation. Your responsibilities include:
- Oversee end‑to‑end delivery of assigned projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and in line with the Council’s transformation objectives.
- Track project progress, ensure milestones are met and provide regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders on performance, risks, and issues.
- Manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring their ongoing support and involvement throughout the project lifecycle.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, schedules, and status reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with project goals.
- Support the Corporate Parenting Programme to improve outcomes for looked‑after children in Surrey, including increasing the number of in‑house foster carers and improving carers’ retention.
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 dependants 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.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application should clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Degree qualified or significant vocational experience demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, policies and procedures relating to business planning and financial and organisational management.
- Proven problem‑solving skills and the ability to exercise high levels of initiative to develop, devise and implement workable solutions.
- Proven ability to manage a range of projects through to completion.
- Relevant project management qualification (Prince 2, APM, MSP).
Satisfactory DBS clearance is required for this role and must be able to travel across the county to attend stakeholder meetings.
To apply, submit a CV and answer the following four questions:
- Describe your experience in successfully delivering a complex project to time and to budget. What issues or risks did you experience and how did you overcome these?
- Can you provide an example of when you developed and delivered an effective approach to stakeholder management within a project?
- Please tell us about a time you managed multiple competing deadlines to ensure the success of a project. What did you find particularly challenging and how did you address this?
- Please tell us about a project that you led that had a demonstrable impact and why. Please set out the approach you took to evidence this impact.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to gain insight into working at Surrey.
Contact Us
Please contact Helen Kay, Senior Programme Manager, for any questions relating to the role, including flexible working requests, transferable skills or barriers to employment.
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 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.
Commitment Wording
We are a disability‑confident employer. If you disclose a disability on your application and meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. We are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need and to building a workplace where everyone belongs.
Location: Knaphill, Woking, UK
Contract type: Contract
Notice: Published on 20 Nov 2025. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 4 December 2025 with interviews planned to follow.
Project Manager in Woking employer: Local Government Chronicle
Contact Detail:
Local Government Chronicle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in Children’s Social Care transformation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills! Bring examples of past projects where you’ve managed stakeholders and delivered results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure your application reflects those skills and experiences.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send us a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your project management experience and relevant qualifications. Show us how your background aligns with our needs, especially in delivering complex projects.
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When answering the four questions, be specific and provide examples. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and managed stakeholders in past projects. Make your answers as clear and concise as possible!
Submit Through Our Website: Once you’re happy with your application, make sure to submit it through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Local Government Chronicle
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you delivered complex projects on time and within budget, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Stakeholder Management is Key
Prepare to share your experiences in managing stakeholders effectively. Think of a time when you had to engage various internal and external parties and how you ensured their support throughout the project lifecycle.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to talk about challenges you've faced in previous projects. Highlight your problem-solving skills by discussing specific issues or risks you encountered and the innovative solutions you implemented to overcome them.
✨Showcase Your Qualifications
Make sure to mention any relevant project management qualifications you hold, like Prince 2 or APM. This will reinforce your credibility and show that you have the formal training to back up your practical experience.