Service Development Officer

Company: Southwark Council
Apply for the Service Development Officer
Location: London
Job Description:

Our Children’s Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Service Development Officer to join our team and help make a real difference.

About the Role

As a Service Development Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the identification, planning and delivery of strategic priorities across Children’s Services and with our key partners. You will lead on the end‑to‑end continuous improvement cycle, delivering a range of significant and complex development and transformation projects.

Through your work, you will help modernise services, improve performance, and ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families.

Key responsibilities

  • Supporting the delivery of strategic priorities within the Children’s Services Division
  • Managing the full project lifecycle, from identification through to implementation and evaluation
  • Leading service improvement activity and transformation projects
  • Using data, analysis and stakeholder insight to inform service design and improvement
  • Working collaboratively across teams and partners to embed sustainable change

About You

To succeed in this role, you will be a motivated and self‑directed professional with strong analytical and improvement skills, and a clear commitment to public service.

What you will bring

  • Proven experience in business analysis, service improvement or change management
  • Knowledge of programme and project management methodologies
  • Experience contributing to policy and strategy development
  • Strong written, numerical and analytical skills
  • Excellent problem‑solving capability and attention to detail
  • The ability to work independently, use initiative, and manage complex priorities
  • Confidence engaging with stakeholders across systems and services
  • Experience of working within children’s services, local government or the public sector is highly desirable

About the Team

You will join a dedicated Service Development team working at the heart of the Children’s Services Division. The team supports the design, delivery and evaluation of improvement and transformation activity that strengthens practice and outcomes across services.

We offer

  • A collaborative and supportive working culture
  • Opportunities to work on high‑impact, system‑wide projects
  • Professional development through learning, project exposure and strategic work
  • The chance to influence and shape services for the benefit of children and families

Employment terms and conditions

  • Hours of work: 36 hours per week Monday – Friday
  • Position: 1 Position
  • Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 2 years
  • Disclose and Barring Service check: satisfactory Enhanced Level for children
  • Salary Range: £45,852 – £53,319 (Full time equivalent)

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an organisation that values diversity and inclusiveness. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, people of colour and other underrepresented groups.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

  • Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
  • Individuals currently in care, or who have previously been in care
  • People who consider themselves disabled or have a long‑term health condition

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Posted: July 14th, 2026