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- Tasks: Shape Surrey's economy by advising businesses on workforce development and digital transformation.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council's Economy and Growth Team, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, pension, remote work, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and meaningful community impact.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that drive economic growth and support local businesses.
- Qualifications: Experience in organisational development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 53713 - 53713 £ per year.
This role has a starting salary of £53,713 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. This is a fixed term contract or internal secondment until 31/03/2027. This is a unique opportunity to shape Surrey's economy and the wider South East region. Join our dedicated Economy and Growth Team and make a meaningful impact on businesses and residents. If you're a strategic thinker with strong organisational and workforce development expertise, passionate about supporting business growth and innovation, we encourage you to apply.
This role will work remotely, visiting businesses in your caseload with regular travel across the region. There may be scope for individual Organisation and Workforce Development Advisors (OWDAs) to concentrate the majority of activity within a broad geographical area of the South East (e.g. west or east).
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
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for health and wellbeing
- Access to a comprehensive learning and development hub
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About the Team
The Economy & Growth team is focused on sustainable economic development across Surrey, working collaboratively as 'One Council' to deliver strategic priorities that benefit the county's 1.2 million residents. We provide valued services in business support, innovation, skills, and place‑based development, working with major employers such as Amazon, Asahi, WWF‑UK, Samsung and McLaren. Surrey is home to 110,000 businesses and contributes £50 billion annually to the UK economy.
About the Role
Surrey County Council is seeking experienced and dynamic Organisation and Workforce Development Advisors (OWDAs) to support the delivery of the innovative Made Smarter Adoption programme. These pivotal roles will directly contribute to driving strategic initiatives that enhance economic growth, foster innovation within businesses, and ensure the programme's success through collaborative partnerships. As an OWDA, you will play an essential role in delivering organisational and workforce development advice to manufacturing SMEs, supporting them to transform their business through the adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs). You will work closely with Technology Adoption Specialists (TAS) to ensure leaders and staff are equipped to adapt to digital transformation. You will form an integral part of a remote specialist team, delivering ambitious targets at pace to support business growth across the South East network.
Your Application
To be considered for shortlisting, your application must clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Significant understanding and technical knowledge of organisation and workforce development, particularly in relation to manufacturing SMEs and digital transformation
- Practical experience diagnosing organisational or workforce development needs, including HR‑related activity
- A track record of delivering OD/HR programmes or advisory support to businesses, including one‑to‑one and workshop delivery
- Experience working with senior management in manufacturing or other sectors, ideally with product/service/process development exposure
- Experience engaging with organisations across the skills ecosystem (HEIs, FE colleges, training providers)
- Understanding of the national and regional digital skills landscape
- Ability to deliver high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced, target‑driven environment
- Excellent communication, networking, and collaboration skills
To apply, please submit a CV and respond to the following 4 questions:
- Please describe a situation where you assessed an organisation's workforce, skills, or organisational development needs. What methods did you use, what issues did you identify, and how did your recommendations support improvement or change?
- This role supports SMEs through change linked to technology adoption. Can you give an example of when you helped a team or organisation prepare for or adapt to a significant change? What actions did you take to support people through the transition?
- Please describe a time when you worked with a range of stakeholders who had different priorities or perspectives (e.g., business leaders, educators, public‑sector partners, or technical specialists). How did you build alignment and ensure progress?
- This role requires managing a portfolio of organisations, working remotely across a large region, and meeting programme targets. Can you share an example of how you have organised your workload and maintained high‑quality delivery in a fast‑paced or autonomous working environment?
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 20/05/2026 with interviews planned to follow. We look forward to receiving your application.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Bryan Vint by e‑mail.
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 1st 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. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Organisation and Workforce Development Advisor employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Organisation and Workforce Development Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. 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 the role thoroughly. Think about how your skills in organisation and workforce development can directly benefit them. Practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether online or in person, make sure to highlight your experience with manufacturing SMEs and digital transformation. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in Surrey's economy and growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Organisation and Workforce Development Advisor
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 you understand the key skills and experiences we want to see in your application.
Tailor Your CV and Answers: Don’t just send us a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience in organisation and workforce development. When answering the questions, use specific examples that showcase your skills and how they align with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: We love a well-structured application! Keep your answers clear and to the point. Use bullet points if it helps, and make sure you’re addressing each part of the question directly. We want to see your thought process!
Apply Through Our Website: When you’re ready to submit, make sure you apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of organisation and workforce development, especially in relation to manufacturing SMEs. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've diagnosed organisational needs and delivered effective solutions.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share concrete examples from your past roles where you've successfully supported businesses through change, particularly with technology adoption. Highlight your practical experience and the impact of your recommendations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about times when you've worked with diverse stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you built alignment among different priorities and perspectives, showcasing your excellent communication and collaboration skills.
✨Organise Like a Pro
Since this role involves managing a portfolio of organisations remotely, come prepared with examples of how you've organised your workload in fast-paced environments. Discuss strategies you used to maintain high-quality delivery while meeting targets.