Business Strategy Manager

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and strategically driven Business Strategy Manager to help shape the future of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability (PGS) Directorate. This is a high impact leadership role at the heart of our organisation—perfect for someone who thrives on influence, innovation and making things happen.

You will lead the delivery of excellent organisational support services, ensuring PGS has the right strategies, systems and governance in place to meet both today’s priorities and tomorrow’s ambitions. With a strong focus on improvement, alignment and organisational excellence, you will play a key role in guiding our decision making, governance and engagement functions across the Directorate.

About us

Planning, Growth & Sustainability (PGS) supports the development and delivery of services that shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We are a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking service, committed to high standards, continuous improvement, and excellent customer service.

This role will sit within the newly formed Infrastructure and Major Projects service which also includes the Capital PMO, PGS Improvement and Strategic Programmes, Housing Infrastructure Fund delivery and our major projects such as HS2 and East West Rail.

About the role

The Business Strategy Manager will drive the development and delivery of strategic business planning, governance, risk management and performance across the PGS Directorate. As a key link between the corporate centre, senior leadership teams and partner services, the post holder will ensure Directorate priorities stay tightly aligned with wider organisational goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development of Directorate business plans and ensuring alignment with medium term financial planning and corporate priorities.
• Managing governance arrangements, including forward planning, agenda setting and quality assurance of reports for senior management teams.
• Coordinating responses to major corporate initiatives, ensuring high standards of service quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Acting as a principal liaison point between the Directorate and corporate business partners, strengthening collaboration and organisational alignment.
• Driving cross directorate collaboration and identifying opportunities to connect related areas of activity across the organisation.
• Managing reporting on risks, dependencies, decisions and issues, ensuring that senior leaders are fully informed.
• Implementing and maintaining effective risk management and business continuity arrangements.
• Supporting organisational development by championing learning, mentoring others, and promoting a continuous improvement culture.
• Building and maintaining strong, effective stakeholder relationships across the Directorate and wider organisation.
• Leading strategic and operational planning to ensure sustainable delivery against the Council’s wider objectives.

About you

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic leader who can bring clarity, direction and momentum to the Planning, Growth & Sustainability directorate. You will be the driving force behind our business planning, governance, performance and directorate wide engagement, connecting the dots across complex services and shaping how we deliver for our communities.

If you thrive on solving big challenges, influencing at senior levels, and turning ideas into action, this role is for you. You will bring strong project and change management experience, excellent stakeholder skills, and the confidence to operate in a fast paced, politically sensitive environment. With outstanding communication skills and a talent for simplifying complexity, you will lead key initiatives, champion high quality governance, and ensure we stay ahead of organisational needs. If you are ambitious, collaborative, and ready to make a significant impact, come and join us!

Other information

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

Closing date: Sunday 22nd March

Interview date: In person, Wednesday 1^st April, The Gateway offices

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact Deborah Stevens [email protected]

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/