Strategic OD Consultant

This role has a starting salary of 63,823 per annum, for working 36 hours per week.

This is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until 31st March 2027.

We are excited to be recruiting a Strategic OD Consultant to join our fantastic People and Change service, based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate. We offer a hybrid working model with a minimum of two office days per week.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
• 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

This is a unique opportunity to join Surrey County Council at one of the most significant periods of change in its history.

Over the next 10 months, Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will transform how public services are delivered across Surrey, creating new unitary authorities. As part of this journey, we are looking for an experienced Strategic OD Consultant to help design, lead and deliver organisational change that supports both our people and our services through transition and beyond.

Working within the People and Change team, you will partner with senior leaders, managers and programme teams to deliver organisational development, change management and workforce initiatives that enable successful transition and the building of new authorities. This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, support complex change programmes and make a lasting impact on the future organisations.

No two days will be the same. You will work across a diverse portfolio of organisational development, culture, workforce and change projects, providing expert consultancy and practical delivery support.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and delivering organisational development and change initiatives across a range of services and programmes.
• Designing and implementing change management plans, interventions and engagement activities that support successful organisational change.
• Facilitating workshops, focus groups and leadership sessions to support culture, behaviours and ways of working.
• Conducting organisational analysis, diagnostics and cultural reviews to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Working closely with senior leaders to develop solutions that improve organisational effectiveness and performance.
• Developing communication and engagement approaches that help colleagues understand and navigate change.
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously, balancing strategic priorities with emerging organisational needs.

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering several high-profile organisational priorities, including:

• Supporting the people, workforce and culture elements of Surrey's Local Government Reorganisation programme.
• Designing and implementing change management approaches for major organisational transition activities.
• Delivering culture and behavioural interventions that help establish the foundations of the future organisations.
• Supporting leaders and managers to build confidence and capability in leading change.

Your Application

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

• Experience of leading organisational development, culture change and change initiatives within local government, the public sector or similarly complex environments.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and facilitation skills.
• The ability to design and deliver practical solutions that improve organisational effectiveness.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

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

• Please describe a time when you have led a significant organisational development, culture change, or transformation initiative within a local government, public sector, or similarly complex environment.
• Can you provide an example of how you have successfully engaged, influenced, and facilitated diverse stakeholder groups to achieve a shared objective?
• Tell us about a time when you designed and implemented a practical solution that improved organisational effectiveness.
• Describe a situation where you used strong analytical skills to address a complex issue while managing competing priorities.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 09.08.2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until 31st March.

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

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.

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 shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, 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.