Business Operations Assistant – EEH Policy and Partnerships Support

Overview

Do you want to help make a difference by supporting transport improvements across the England’s Economic Heartland region, which includes the entirety of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor?

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) is looking for dynamic policy and partnerships support officer.  Duties will include: writing political briefings; supporting communications such as via newsletters and social media; undertaking data interpretation; and organising our stakeholder forums. 

With delivery of East West Rail transforming the region, the announcement of Universal, new towns and the focus of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth corridor - now is an incredibly exciting time to join EEH.

The team at England’s Economic Heartland is dynamic and motivated, operating in a high energy and professional environment: creativity and innovative thought are encouraged and allows the team to develop their own capabilities and ambitions.  A ‘can do’ attitude is at the heart of the way we work, with a strong team spirit ensuring that we stay focused whilst maintaining a friendly working environment. 

This position is being advertised for Buckinghamshire Council internal and agency employees only.

About us

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) is the sub-national transport body stretching from Swindon and Oxfordshire through to Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including Buckinghamshire, North and West Northamptonshire, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Luton. Our geography covers the entirety of the ‘Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor’ recently announced by the Chancellor.  EEH brings together the Local Transport Authorities to provide leadership on strategic infrastructure issues.   

EEH is hosted by Buckinghamshire Council. We are a small dynamic organisation that responds to our local authorities’ needs, progressing key local priorities and representing our partners at a regional and national level. 

Its activities involve regular engagement, at a senior level, with Government departments, infrastructure owners and service providers. EEH offers flexible working with one of those in the Aylesbury office on a Monday when the whole team meet to collaborate and share ideas.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county 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

The successful candidate will support EEH’s communication and external affairs and management of our forums as well as other administrative duties. 

Key tasks of the role will include:   

• Creating documents and other materials to inform/ support / promote EEH and its priorities. Designing and delivering agreed communications, including via newsletters, social media, events and the EEH website.
• Be responsible for forward planning of meetings and forums on behalf of the technical leads. Organise and effectively manage these meetings, surveys, forums and events. With minutes taken and actions chased and ensure all materials and documents are produced to the required standards and timescales.
• Quality check documents, records, recommendations and / or presentations for accuracy and quality.
• Identify information sources and efficiently collate, analyse and organise information for inclusion in reports. Share information clearly and accurately via the most appropriate channel to ensure awareness.
• Support and contribute to projects/initiatives as part of a project team, delivering tasks/specific project activities to agreed specification, timescales and budgets – this may involve a mix of short and long term projects requiring varying levels of responsibility. This includes both planning and organising your own work and priorities, as well as coordinating with others to ensure that timescales, standards and targets are achieved.
• Contribute to the management of systems, including stakeholder management software, and the maintenance and development of policies and standards to meet organisational needs.
• Represent team at internal events, or externally as part of a team. Share information / findings to ensure awareness of key issues / data via the most appropriate channel. Maintain or enhance the work area reputation.
• Contribute to partnership arrangements, carrying out allocated tasks as directed. To support the exchange of information between EEH and other organisations and maintain professional links
• Deal with people at all levels confidently, sensitively and diplomatically.

Mobile:

A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

About you

You will be curious self starter, with a thirst for knowledge that likes working in a dynamic environment and is happy to take work forward to delivery to a high standard.  

The role would suit someone with experience in admin or a graduate with excellent communication and interpersonal skills with knowledge of Microsoft applications including Teams and PowerPoint.

The role will be working in communications and external affairs so accuracy and an understanding of social media, websites and writing copy for communications and publications would be an advantage.

Previous experience of stakeholder management and organising forums and meetings would be beneficial. 

An understanding of the Oxford to Cambridge region or understanding of transport is beneficial but not essential. 

Other information

This is a fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the potential for extension and EEH would consider a secondment.

For an informal discussion please contact the Head of Partnerships and Policy, Adam King on [email protected] to arrange.

Closing date for applications is 12th October 2025.

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. 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/