Location: Aylesbury
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 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:
1. Managing complex programmes to deliver rail policies and strategies aligned to Local Transport Plan priorities.
2. Supporting the development and implementation of technical rail strategies and the wider service plan.
3. Coordinating the development of business cases to Government for improved rail connectivity, including better connections to Aylesbury.
4. Working closely with internal teams to consider the implications of the Local Plan and planned growth, particularly around Aylesbury and Winslow.
5. Providing specialist professional advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, including senior partners and decision‑makers.
6. Undertaking research, analysis and consultation to inform recommendations, reports and presentations to decision‑making bodies.
7. Supporting delivery of partnership projects such as station masterplans, regeneration schemes and station travel plans to encourage sustainable travel.
8. 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:
9. Has substantial experience in working on the development of rail related policy, plans and strategy.
10. Has excellent knowledge and understanding of transport strategy development and experience working effectively with strategic partners.
11. Has excellent knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy and strategy in transport planning.
12. Has excellent interpersonal, persuasion and negotiation skills.
13. Has experience of co-ordinating partnership working.
14. Has excellent planning and organisational skills.
15. Has excellent research and analysis skills.
16. Is an experienced project manager.
17. Has excellent time management skills to manage a complex workload.
18. Has a relevant degree or equivalent experience.