Assistant Director of Transformation

Assistant Director - SEND Transformation & Improvement Location: South East England Sector: Local Government | Children's Services Contract: Interim / Contract Panoramic Associates is working with a local authority in the South East to recruit an experienced Assistant Director of SEND Transformation & Improvement to lead a significant programme of change across Additional Needs and Disabilities (AND) services. This is a senior strategic leadership opportunity focused on driving sustainable service improvement, delivering financial efficiencies and overseeing a complex programme of transformation across education, health and social care. Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of a comprehensive SEND transformation and improvement programme, aligned with strategic priorities and improvement commitments.
• Drive financial sustainability, including High Needs Block cost containment, demand management and improved value for money.
• Oversee multiple transformation workstreams, ensuring clear delivery plans, milestones, governance and measurable outcomes.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary programme team, embedding accountability and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with senior council leaders, elected Members, education providers, health partners and other key stakeholders.
• Support service redesign, commissioning improvements, early intervention and the development of sustainable operating models.
• Provide strategic oversight of programme budgets, risks, dependencies and performance reporting. Experience Required:
• Significant experience leading complex transformation or improvement programmes, ideally within local government.
• A strong track record of delivering organisational change, financial efficiencies and sustainable service improvements.
• Experience managing large programmes, multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholder relationships.
• Strong programme governance, financial management and strategic delivery skills.
• Knowledge of SEND, children's services, education or health and social care would be highly advantageous.
• Experience of SEND improvement programmes, Safety Valve Agreements or High Needs Block financial recovery would be particularly beneficial. We are keen to speak with experienced transformation leaders who can demonstrate successful delivery of complex change programmes, including those with transferable experience from other areas of local government.