Business Strategy Officer

Overview

We are seeking a proactive, solutions‑focused Business Strategy Officer to play a key role in driving effective business planning, strategic coordination, and organisational improvement across our Planning, Growth & Sustainability (PGS) Directorate.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys building positive relationships, and is motivated by supporting strategic decision‑making and organisational progress.  This is an excellent springboard opportunity, offering exposure to strategic discussions across the Directorate and the chance to work directly with Service Directors and Corporate Directors.

You will act as a key link between Directorate teams, business partners, and corporate colleagues—coordinating business planning activity, ensuring compliance with corporate requirements, and enabling effective horizon scanning for emerging issues and opportunities.

About us

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. 

Our Planning, Growth & Sustainability and Communities Directorates work at the heart of shaping the future of our local area—delivering vital services, supporting communities, and enabling sustainable growth. As part of our Business Strategy function, you’ll be joining a collaborative and ambitious team committed to organisational excellence.

About the role

As a Business Strategy Officer, you will support the smooth running of the Business Strategy function and help embed robust business planning processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate business planning activity across the Planning, Growth & Sustainability Directorate ensuring alignment with corporate requirements.
• Provide high‑quality reporting, briefings and presentations to support strategic and political decision‑making.
• Build strong, effective relationships across the organisation and act as a key link between Directorate teams, business partners and corporate colleagues.
• Undertake proactive horizon scanning to identify emerging risks, opportunities and developments, escalating key issues to senior leaders.
• Coordinate communications and information cascades across the Directorates, including events, updates and engagement activity.
• Manage forward plans, agendas and coordination for key leadership and strategic meetings.
• Respond to complex enquiries and support change‑related activity, including business transformation, restructuring or service improvement projects.
• Provide professional advice on business strategy, governance and the implications of Directorate projects and plans.

About you

You will bring a can‑do, solutions‑focused approach and thrive in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities and tight turnaround times. Highly organised, you will demonstrate excellent attention to detail and consistently deliver high‑quality work.

You will be confident and professional when working with senior officers, able to communicate clearly, build effective relationships, and exercise sound judgement when handling complex or sensitive issues.

Other information

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

The team works on a hybrid basis, with an expectation of being based at The Gateway a minimum of two days per week.

Interview date: 16 and 17 February

Interview-type / process: In person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Belinda Dimmock-Smith

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 understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

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/