Policy and Programme Manager - Health and Wellbeing Strategy

This permanent role has a starting salary of £53,713 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

Surrey County Council is seeking to recruit a Policy and Programme Manager (Health and Wellbeing Strategy) to contribute to SCC's mission in tackling the inequalities experienced by some communities living in Surrey.

We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for one to two days per week on average (40% of the working week) and support working from home the rest of the time.

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 dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access 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

About the Role

Working within a small team, you will provide policy expertise and oversight of programmes delivering the outcomes of the joint Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The role deals with the changing political context and the needs of different stakeholders, managing a wide range of relationships through effective collaboration with officers, elected members and other partners.

Recognising the intersectionality of health and well-being with the wider determinants of health, you will work to support oversight and progress of the Strategy priorities and system capabilities. This is with a view to maximising the benefits and opportunities for reducing health inequalities through a preventative, whole system approach for our priority populations.

In working with partners delivering on the Strategy, you will ensure that related policies and strategies recognise health inequalities, that the communities are engaged in developing solutions through strengths-based practice, and that outcomes need to be appropriately monitored and evaluated.

You will have proven experience of providing programme oversight that enables progress along with political awareness, negotiating, influencing and leadership skills, and be willing to work on your own initiative on behalf of the Council and wider system.

If you are passionate about reducing health inequalities, with relevant experience, understanding and skills, then we want to hear from you.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• You have a clear understanding of how local government, health services, social care and wider partners work together, and can recognise the opportunities and challenges of joined-up delivery in reducing health inequalities.
• An understanding of strengths-based approaches, including community co-design, co-production and community-led action, and how these contribute to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
• A good understanding of health and wellbeing, including the wider determinants of health, the causes of health inequalities, and the importance of a whole-system approach to prevention.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation and government policies/strategies.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• How have you provided policy expertise and provided oversight of programmes that are clearly connected to delivering strategic outcomes and the reduction of health inequalities?
• How have you worked to support a whole systems approach in the provision of programme oversight and policy?
• How have you worked across Local Government, Health and wider partners that support progress on the wider determinants of health?
• How have you worked with senior stakeholders across Local Government, Health and wider partners to facilitate strong partnership working?

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 31st August 2026 with interviews planned for the 7th and 8th September 2026.

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.