Connect to Work Team Leader - #146166

The starting salary for this role is £45,680 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. It is a 2-year fixed term post, with the potential for a further 3-year extension when funding is confirmed. 

Surrey County Council is launching a new function to deliver the Connect to Work programme. As Team Leader, you will play a key role in establishing the programme and building expertise within the local authority to deliver the best results for Surrey residents and contributing to a capable and competent local workforce. This role is ideal for those passionate about driving meaningful change and having local impact by supporting people into employment through effective leadership.

The role is hybrid with at least one day a week in Woodhatch Place, Reigate (usually Tuesday). The job will require some travel to other locations in Surrey and occasionally further afield. 

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 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 Team 

The Economy and Growth function, consisting of over 40 people, is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development across Surrey, working collaboratively as ‘One Council’ to support strategic priorities that benefit the county’s 1.2 million residents. The team provides key services in business support, innovation, skills, and infrastructure, and works with major employers like Amazon, McLaren, and Samsung to strengthen the regional economy, which is home to 110,000 businesses and contributes £50 billion annually to the UK economy.  

We are establishing a new programme within the Economy and Growth function to deliver the ‘Connect to Work’ supported employment programme. This ambitious new initiative is part of a national roll-out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Launched through the government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper, this initiative is part of a broader range of programmes addressing skills gaps, responding to employer need and driving local growth to achieve the best outcomes.  Connect to Work will use the established model of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) which is an evidence-based ‘place then train’ method of supported employment. 

About The Role

This role will be crucial to the successful delivery of the Connect to Work programme. You will lead a team of up to 6–8 Employment Specialists (by year two) in a fast-paced, target-driven environment—ensuring they have the tools, resources, and relationships needed to manage their caseloads effectively and meet programme targets.

While Employment Specialists support participants using the IPS model and aim for high Fidelity, you will also manage a small caseload, working directly with those furthest from the labour market to help them secure and sustain paid employment. You will foster a positive, collaborative team environment and promote shared ownership of targets across the wider Economy & Growth function.

You will lead efforts to promote the programme through a variety of referral sources—health and social care, the voluntary sector, and other local authority services—embedding best practice and ensuring IPS principles remain central to delivery.

You will work closely with the Programme Delivery Manager and Programme Coordinator to ensure data reporting requirements are captured accurately and to meet contractual arrangements.  This will include working with the Programme Coordinator to ensure activity is accurately captured in the Client Management System (CRM) to review customer journey and identify where performance needs to improve through weekly check-ins and cross team case reviews. You will also support employer relationships, including establishing new relationships with anchor organisations across Surrey.  

Shortlisting Criteria 

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience in supporting implementation and delivery of a similar supported employment programme, preferably IPS.
• Evidenced experience and success in employer engagement practice leading to sustained employment for people who have faced barriers to employment. 
• Managing, supervising and coaching front line staff in employment support (or similar) settings.
• Cultivating a high performing team environment that is focused on exceeding programme targets, preferably in supported employment settings.
• Strong understanding of the employment support landscape.
• Excellent communication skills.
  
  
  

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and outline your experience and suitability for the role responding to these two questions: 

• Please give us examples of managing a high performing, target driven and motivated team in a supported employment programme, (preferably IPS).
• Please tell us about your experience working with employers to deliver a successful employment programme (ideally in a local authority setting).
  
  
  

Contact us 

Please 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 us by e-mail at [email protected].

The job advert closes on 22nd June with interviews planned for the end of June / start of July.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey 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: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

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.