Planning and Projects Officer

Job title: Planning and Projects Officer

Company: Surrey County Council


Job description: Details

• Reference: SCC/TP/288915/3185
• Positions: 1
• Salary: £40,296 – £43,735 per annum
• Category: Project Management
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Posted on: 23 June 2025
• Closing date: 13 July 2025
• Directorate: Children, Families & Lifelong Learning
• Location: Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD

DescriptionWe are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.This full-time, permanent role has a starting salary of £40,296 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.We are excited to be hiring a new Planning & Projects Officer to join our fantastic Policy, Planning and Projects Team based in Woking.Surrey County Council has an agile and hybrid working approach, meaning you are likely to be required to attend the office up to 2 days a week on average. During inspection periods, the team typically works on-site full-time and applies a shift pattern to provide full coverage for inspection activity. Candidates must be able to travel across Surrey when required. Travel expenses are payable when traveling away from your base office.Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 5 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 RoleAre you passionate about creating positive change for children, young people, and families? Do you thrive in a role where no two days are the same, and where your work directly supports better outcomes for communities across Surrey?We’re looking for a Planning and Projects Officer to join our Policy, Planning and Projects Team who sit at the heart of our Quality Practice, Relationships & Support (QPRS) service. Our mission is to support frontline professionals with the tools, insight, and strategic direction they need to make a real difference in people’s lives.At Surrey County Council, we believe every child and family deserves the chance to thrive. That’s why we’re investing in people who are passionate about making a difference. As a Planning and Projects Officer, you’ll be part of a team who help shape the systems and strategies that support some of the most important work we do; protecting and empowering children, young people, and families across our communities.The PPP Team are responsible for providing a range of services including:

• National policy research and publication of a Policy Brief – Sharing national government policy changes, best practice and evidence-based reports, to support colleagues.
• Managing and quality assuring internal policies and procedures that govern a variety of roles and responsibilities.
• Leading the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Programme to reduce marginalisation and over-representation in social care services.
• Developing the CFLL business plan, through integrated strategic planning, that sets out the ambitions and priorities to aid local performance planning and continuous improvement.
• Leading on inspection readiness, co-ordinating a range of services, and building information systems to enable frontline teams to evidence practice against a range of regulatory frameworks.
• Project management and assistance for a wide range of activities and services.
• Ad-hoc delivery of a wide range of functions that support the organisation.

What you’ll be doingThis is a varied and rewarding role where your work will have a direct impact on how we support children and families. You’ll be involved in:

• Advancing inspection readiness capability through exceptional planning, communication, documentation and coordination.
• Supporting the delivery of inspections on behalf of the local authority, coordinating a wide range of services, logistics, systems, and both on / off-site arrangements to enable professionals to confidently share their work, as per the inspection framework.
• Developing strong relationships with diverse colleagues from across the local authority to embed and strengthen our impact on frontline practice.
• Enhancing SharePoint sites by utilising feedback from internal customers to create resources that support them and enable information sharing in a clear and timely manner.
• Maximising technology to create efficiencies while ensuring accessibility and reducing digital exclusion.
• Project managing or assisting with managing multiple projects, working with a range of professionals and partners.
• Critical thinking to respectfully challenge, balance priorities, and use evidence to demonstrate decision-making.
• Working independently and as part of a team, sharing knowledge and supporting the team to achieve organisational objectives.

Shortlisting CriteriaWe’re not just looking for experience – we’re looking for passion, curiosity, and a commitment to making things better.To be considered for shortlisting your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• You can communicate clearly and confidently with a wide range of people
• You can stay calm under pressure and juggle multiple priorities
• You can be flexible during inspection periods, working some extended hours where necessary to meet deadlines
• You understand the principles of project management (even if your experience comes from a different field like events or planning)
• You have a sharp eye for detail and can spot patterns and connections
• You enjoy working collaboratively and building strong relationships
• You are self-motivated but also a great team player who enjoys solving problems and thinking creatively
• You are confident using digital tools like SharePoint or similar platforms

Application Questions * Please describe a time when you successfully managed or supported a complex project involving multiple stakeholders. What was your role, how did you ensure effective coordination, and what was the outcome?”

• Please provide an example of how you have used your communication skills to build strong working relationships with colleagues or external partners. How did this contribute to the success of a project or initiative?
• Please tell us about a time when you used digital tools or technology to improve a process or create efficiencies in your work. What challenges did you face, and how did you ensure accessibility and user engagement?

If you’re looking for a role where your ideas are valued, your work has purpose, and your efforts contribute to real, lasting change – we’d love to hear from you.Contact UsPlease 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 Jess Clark by email.This advert closes at 23:59 on 13th July 2025.We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.Local Government ReorganisationSurrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.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! Please see more information here:Our ValuesOur values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about .Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.Our CommitmentSurrey 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 groupsFiles to download

• Reviewed: 24 Jun 2025

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• © Surrey County Council 2025
• ID: 187280

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Expected salary: £40296 – 43735 per year

Location: Woking, Surrey

Job date: Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:01:03 GMT

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