Senior Transport Strategy Officer – Rail

Overview

We’re recruiting a Senior Transport Strategy Officer – Rail to play a key role in shaping the future of rail policy and strategy across Buckinghamshire. This is an opportunity to contribute to high‑profile strategic work that supports the delivery of the Council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP5) and Local Plan, helping to improve rail connectivity, support sustainable growth and deliver long‑term benefits for communities and the local economy.

This is a secondment/fixed term contract opportunity for 2 years.

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. 

The Transport Strategy Team works to understand future travel trends and develops our transport priorities for the future. This is a small team which undertakes analysis using travel data, traffic modelling, and the results of local surveys to identify what we need to put in place now to allow us to innovate and adapt to future travel demands. Although a small team, its function is critical to the delivery of the Council’s transport priorities and influencing partners to help us achieve them.  

About the role

If you love making things happen and shaping the future of transport, then this is the role for you.  This is a senior level role in the Transport Strategy team, which aims to understand the future rail needs of the Council and what strategies we will need in place in order to deliver our new LTP5 and Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.  

You will be supporting the preparation and development of rail policies, strategies and their supporting information. This involves working with teams across the Council to develop new policies, strategies and business cases; providing evidence for them; advising our decision makers; and engaging with senior strategic partners.  

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing complex programmes to deliver rail policies and strategies aligned to Local Transport Plan priorities.
• Supporting the development and implementation of technical rail strategies and the wider service plan.
• Coordinating the development of business cases to Government for improved rail connectivity, including better connections to Aylesbury.
• Working closely with internal teams to consider the implications of the Local Plan and planned growth, particularly around Aylesbury and Winslow.
• Providing specialist professional advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, including senior partners and decision‑makers.
• Undertaking research, analysis and consultation to inform recommendations, reports and presentations to decision‑making bodies.
• Supporting delivery of partnership projects such as station masterplans, regeneration schemes and station travel plans to encourage sustainable travel.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with partners, community groups and stakeholders, representing the Council internally and externally.

 

About you

As the Senior Transport Strategy Officer – Rail you will support the Principal Transport Officer in developing the County’s future rail policies, supporting growth and development within Buckinghamshire. With partnership working and local/political support being the key to success, you should be enthusiastic and confident in engaging with and influencing strategic partners and customers to ensure positive strategic outcomes.  

We are looking for someone who: 

• Has substantial experience in working on the development of rail related policy, plans and strategy. 

• Has excellent knowledge and understanding of transport strategy development and experience working effectively with strategic partners.  

• Has excellent knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy and strategy in transport planning. 

• Has excellent interpersonal, persuasion and negotiation skills.  

• Has experience of co-ordinating partnership working.  

• Has excellent planning and organisational skills.  

• Has excellent research and analysis skills. 

• Is an experienced project manager.  

• Has excellent time management skills to manage a complex workload.  

• Has a relevant degree or equivalent experience. 

Other information

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

This role requires face-to-face working, collaboration and meetings. The postholder will be expected to be in the office at least two days a week.

Interview date: To be confirmed

Interview-type / process: In person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Joe Kay, Principal Transport Strategy Officer [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/