At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage diverse projects worth £1m to £20m, enhancing community services.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council, dedicated to transforming local services for residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 26-31 days holiday, lifestyle discounts, and a supportive EAP.
- Why this job: Be part of meaningful change in a dynamic team focused on community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Proven project delivery experience and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Guaranteed interview for disabled applicants; we value diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 £ per year.
This role has a starting salary of £68,774 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week. We have an exciting strategic and professional opportunity for a Senior Development Manager to join our fantastic Capital Projects Team, within the Corporate portfolio. You will be joining a team that values professional development and supports a commercial and agile approach to its diverse portfolio.
This role is open to hybrid working and as a team we split our time between working from home and collaborating together in the office.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), 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
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
Surrey County Council is on a mission to transform our operational estate to better serve our residents, ensuring that 'no one is left behind'. Our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our environment and communities is at the heart of everything we do. We are a dynamic and dedicated organisation, fully invested in transformation and improvement. Our teams thrive in a fast-paced environment, collaborating to lead, advise, and deliver meaningful change.
This strategic delivery role involves working on local, regional, and national projects as part of a multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team. As a Senior Development Manager within our Capital Projects Corporate Estate team, you will take on the exciting challenge of leading and managing projects that range from £1m to £20m in value. Your work will span key areas, such as, but not limited to, Libraries, Shared Service Hubs, Depots, the Fire & Rescue Service, and our Corporate Office estate.
You will be expected to carry out regular site visits from both a technical and health and safety perspective. You will collaborate closely with our appointed consultancy teams and manage external resources to ensure the successful development of projects from the planning stages through to construction. Your goal will be to enhance service delivery by creating, redeveloping, refurbishing, and repurposing assets. This role requires you to deliver technically complex programmes of work, achieving agreed outcomes and objectives. Our transformational work is supported by the Asset and Place Strategy 2019-2030 which sets out the Council's approach to the strategic management of its assets.
In this position, you will liaise and work with other teams, stakeholders, and in-house resources within Land & Property. Your experience in developing project proposals from initial feasibility through to successful procurement will be invaluable. You will work in a highly collaborative way with service leaders to understand their requirements, identify risks, and develop appropriate and achievable solutions.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your CV and personal statement will need to evidence the following:
- Proven project delivery experience in the following key areas: Libraries, Shared Service Hubs, Depots, Fire & Rescue Service, Corporate Office estate
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and technical requirements
- Ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams to achieve challenging goals
- Strong relationship-building skills
- Passion for delivering high-quality results for our customers
In return, you'll gain access to a diverse portfolio of projects, each offering unique challenges and opportunities. This is a career enhancing role which will broaden your experience. If you have the vision, confidence and expertise to help Surrey deliver these projects and realise our ambition, we would love to hear from you.
As part of the application process you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:
- Describe a project you have managed. What were the project's objectives, and how did you ensure its successful delivery?
- Explain your understanding of the legislation, regulations, and technical requirements relevant to managing capital projects within a corporate estate. How have you applied this knowledge in your previous roles?
- Provide an example of a time when you led a diverse, multidisciplinary team to achieve a challenging goal. What strategies did you use to ensure effective collaboration and successful outcomes?
- Discuss a situation where you built strong relationships with stakeholders to enhance service delivery. How did these relationships contribute to the project's success?
The close date for this role is 06.07.2025 with interviews to follow.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Senior Development Manager employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Surrey County Council's Asset and Place Strategy 2019-2030. Understanding their strategic goals will help you align your experience and ideas with their vision, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the capital projects field, especially those who have worked on similar projects like Libraries or Shared Service Hubs. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your project management experience that demonstrate your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. Highlighting your leadership skills in real scenarios will set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest legislation and regulations relevant to capital projects in the public sector. Being well-versed in these areas will show your commitment to compliance and enhance your credibility as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant project delivery experience, especially in areas like Libraries, Shared Service Hubs, and Corporate Office estates. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: In your personal statement, clearly articulate your understanding of the legislation and technical requirements related to capital projects. Provide concrete examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.
Prepare for the Questions: Anticipate the application questions and prepare detailed responses. For instance, think about a project you managed, the objectives, and how you ensured its success. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
Showcase Relationship-Building Skills: When discussing your experience, emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. Share specific instances where these relationships enhanced service delivery and contributed to project success.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Showcase Your Project Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've managed, particularly in areas like Libraries or Shared Service Hubs. Highlight the objectives, challenges faced, and how you ensured successful delivery, as this will demonstrate your relevant experience.
✨Understand Relevant Legislation and Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the legislation and technical requirements related to capital projects within a corporate estate. Be ready to explain how you've applied this knowledge in past roles, as it shows your capability to navigate complex regulatory environments.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of when you've led diverse, multidisciplinary teams. Discuss the strategies you used to foster collaboration and achieve challenging goals, as this will illustrate your leadership style and effectiveness.
✨Build Strong Relationships with Stakeholders
Think of instances where you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders to enhance service delivery. Be ready to explain how these relationships contributed to project success, showcasing your interpersonal skills and commitment to quality results.