Senior Transformation Manager - SEND Reforms

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX- Hybrid working
• Salary: £74,716 - £84,404 per annum
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for up to 2 years

We’re looking for a Senior Transformation Manager - SEND Reforms to provide strategic leadership to Suffolk’s SEND reform programme.

Our SEND Programme Management Office (PMO) is driving transformational change across SEND and inclusion. We want to create a more inclusive, joined-up and sustainable SEND system that delivers better experiences and outcomes for children, young people and families. You’ll be at the heart of helping us turn that ambition into lasting change.

Your role and responsibilities

You’ll provide strategic leadership for SEND Reform across the Local Area Partnership, working across organisational boundaries to turn shared priorities into sustained, system-wide reform.

In this role, you will:

• Lead Suffolk’s SEND Reform Transformation Programme, turning strategic priorities into clear delivery plans, milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Provide robust programme governance and assurance, actively managing risks, dependencies, reporting and escalation while supporting inspection readiness.
• Build strong multi-agency partnerships across education, health, social care, schools, families and the voluntary and community sector to secure shared ownership of reform.
• Use data, intelligence and stakeholder feedback to monitor performance, demonstrate impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership and direct line management to members of the SEND reform programme team.

You will need

We’re looking for someone who can bring together strong SEND knowledge and senior programme leadership. You’ll need:

• Proven experience leading large-scale transformation and improvement programmes.
• Expert programme management, governance and delivery skills.
• Strong SEND leadership experience and knowledge of statutory frameworks.
• Excellent partnership-building, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly developed analytical, reporting and communication capabilities.

SEND continues to evolve, with significant reform, changing priorities and a real expectation to deliver improvement. You’ll need resilience and persistence to keep things moving and stay focused on what will make a difference. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to shape meaningful change for children, young people and families, working alongside supportive and committed people who want to make a difference too.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

If you’d like to find out more about the role, please email cyp.pa.hub@suffolk.gov.ukand we’ll arrange an informal conversation with the Assistant Director for SEND and Inclusion.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application

Step 3 - Please upload the following to your application:

1. An up-to-date copy of your CV.
2. A supporting statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why you are interested in the role, what you would bring and how your skills, knowledge and experience make you suitable.
3. Case studies (up to two examples, maximum 250 words each) demonstrating where you have led significant transformation or improvement. Please include the scale and complexity of the work, your personal role and accountability, the approach you took, and the outcomes and impact achieved.

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 11 October 2026.

Interview date: To be confirmed.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Hybrid

About us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).