Opportunities for Growth Manager

About the Team

The Economy and Growth team focuses on growing Surrey’s economy working as 'One Council' to deliver a sustainable economy and ensure no one is left behind. We provide strategic leadership and direct delivery of services in business support, employment support, innovation, skills, and places for the benefit of Surrey's 110,000 businesses and 1.2 million residents. Our work is driven by the belief that we can support our communities and businesses to thrive by supporting residents into the exceptional range of skills, training and employment opportunities that Surrey offers. We are committed to the cross-team consolidation of activity across our area of work and therefore the full integration of economic growth programmes is the fundamental principle on which the post will operate. By working in this way, you will lead the delivery of seamless cross-function economic growth and careers programmes services through a single coherent front door of support for residents, businesses and employers.

This post has been created to lead success through the alignment of programmes and to deliver cohesive engagement with businesses and education institutions to maximise impact of the support available and streamline operational processes. This includes Surrey Careers Hub which supports 98 schools, special schools and colleges, and brings together education, training providers, businesses and careers professionals to ensure every young person receives outstanding, relevant careers education, and Surrey Growth Hub which provides free and accessible support for Surrey's small and medium enterprises, through the provision of expert advice and mentoring, targeted resources, programmes and events. Business Surrey is the name of the business facing service and the online portal for businesses accessing economic growth services in Surrey. This role is essential to maintaining delivery quality and ensuring compliance with programme requirements.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Opportunities for Growth Manager provides the day-to-day oversight and management of integrated operations of economic growth and careers programmes in a fast-paced target driven environment. In this role, you will be responsible for all operational workflows and for supporting & managing delivery staff, driving consistent, high‑quality operational delivery across the programme, and creating the foundations that enable effective strategic direction, governance, and external stakeholder engagement.

As part of the operational oversight, you will be responsible for the Senior Opportunities Coordinator and associated Opportunities Coordinators delivering positive careers education outcomes for young people across Surrey. You will also manage the Triage, Data and Reporting Officer, ensuring compliance and a high-quality data-informed approach to our work. Finally, you will manage the Enterprise Mentor, providing robust business support to SME’s in the county.

Requirements

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Extensive experience leading operations within complex, multi-partner environments, providing strong organisational oversight, managing workflows and business processes, and delivering high-quality performance through effective people management, coaching, and data-driven decision making.
• Proven track record in administering publicly funded programmes, ensuring robust governance, audit readiness, compliance, accurate reporting, and disciplined management of programme systems and processes.
• Skilled in building and influencing strategic partnerships, coordinating across diverse teams and stakeholders, and managing operational relationships to drive collaboration, performance, and shared outcomes.
• Strong understanding of cross-cutting approaches and economic development agendas, with the ability to work horizontally across programmes, identify synergies, manage complexity, and maximise impact and opportunities for businesses, partners, and communities.

Application Questions

To apply, please submit your CV and outline your experience and suitability for the role by responding to the following questions (no more than 400 words for each):

• Please describe your experience of operational management and oversight of target driven economic growth programmes. What were the key challenges and successes and what was your role?
• Our economic growth and careers programmes operate at the intersection of employment, business, education and local government systems. Please describe your experience of designing and embedding operational processes to meet the demands of new programmes of work that cut across different economic sectors.
• This role requires significant multi-agency working across the public, private, business and education sectors, describe your experience of working in this environment, giving examples of where you have had positive impact.

Pay & Schedule

• Starting salary of £55,485 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week
• Fixed term up until September 2027 with possibility for further extension subject to funding
• Contractual base: Woodhatch Place, Reigate
• Hybrid working with at least one day in Woodhatch (usually Tuesday), combined with regular attendance at meetings, education settings, workshops and events across the county (travel required)

Benefits

• 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
• Generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub with access to a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping