Senior Transport Strategy Officer

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join England’s Economic Heartland a Senior Transport Strategy Officer responsible for managing and supporting projects within EEH’s work programme to deliver our overarching Transport Strategy. 

The role is part of a team that is committed to planning a transport network that is truly integrated and responsive so that it can rise to the growing demands and expectations for it. Additionally, the role will ensure decisions are backed up, by a regional evidence base that underpins the Strategy.  The role will therefore be responsible for supporting the on-going development of the regional evidence base. 

About us

England’s Economic Heartland is the Sub-national Transport Body for the region stretching from Swindon, through Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes across to Cambridgeshire, and from Northamptonshire, through Peterborough, Bedford and Luton down to Hertfordshire

The region we represent has a population of 5.1 million and with over 280,000 businesses employing 2,550,000 people. It brings together 13 Local Transport Authorities, alongside the Department for Transport, transport infrastructure owners and service providers, growth boards and other key stakeholders to provide leadership on strategic infrastructure issues and investment needs to improve the region’s connectivity. 

Buckinghamshire Council is the Accountable Body for EEH as a Sub-national Transport Body – funding for which is a combination of contributions from the local partners and Government (via the Department for Transport). As such, the work of England’s Economic Heartland requires strong collaborative working between the local partners and more widely across the region. 

Now in its third year, Buckinghamshire Council brings together the best of the previous five councils to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.  

About the role

As a Senior Transport Strategy Officer, the role is responsible for supporting and managing projects within EEH’s work programme to deliver the overarching Transport Strategy. 

On 25^th February 2021, England’s Economic Heartland submitted its final Transport Strategy (to 2050) to the Secretary of State for Transport.  The Transport Strategy sets a long term vision that will enable to the region to have a transport system that supports our growth aspirations while still responding and delivering a net zero carbon transport system by 2050,.   To deliver these aspirations requires a credible, evidenced-based plan that can challenge conventional approaches and set a path for the future.  Over the next year our focus will be on providing our local authority partners the skills and support required to deliver their Local Transport Plans to help deliver this vision.

The role is part of a team that is committed to planning a transport network that is truly integrated and responsive so that it can rise to the growing demands and expectations.  You will be part of delivering key elements of EEH’s work programme, liaising with delivery partners and our Local Authority Partners to help delivering the programme and support Local Authority Partners to progress their Local Transport Plans and experience in freight and logistics from a policy perscetive would be a benefit. 

Key aspects of the role will include:

• Planning and organising work to ensure the delivery of projects within the EEH work programme for which you are responsible, accommodating changes in priorities. To be responsible for progressing projects within the broader EEH programme.
• Supporting the development and implementation of the business plan and contributing to technical strategies for your specific area of responsibility.
• Working with quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess and evaluate complex information/situations. Using this evidence to develop, recommend and implement solutions to key and complex issues. Presenting and preparing reports for internal or external use, as required. This is likely to include day to day management of the EEH evidence base – as such a commitment and enjoyment of working with data will be a key part of the role.
• Researching current issues, developments and good practice which impact on the work of EEH and our partner local transport authorities, and consultations where necessary. Assess situations and problems from a professional standpoint, developing and recommending feasible solutions to key issues, presenting and preparing reports and recommendations for internal or external use, as required, and inform senior management decision making.

Please see attached job summery for full description.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

If you are a people focused transport professional and have excellent communication, engagement and organisational skills with a track record in delivering projects with a good understanding of transport policy then this role might be for you.

Other information

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

This role is an 18 month fixed term contract. Within the terms of the Council’s Worksmart programme, this role is identified as a mobile workstyle. The successful candidate will be required to meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. Staff in this post will be expected to work from partner’s buildings, public spaces or at home between meetings.

In addition, EEH’s expectation is that staff prioritise full team collaboration once a week. At present, the preferred day for all members of staff to be together, in the Walton Street office in Aylesbury, is a Monday, but this is subject to review and change periodically.

Number of positions available: One

Closing date: 10th December

Interview-type / process: In-person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Suzanne Winkels 01296 387084

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/