England’s Economic Heartland

Principal Technical Lead

Job Description

Overview

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) is the Sub-national Transport Body for the region that stretches from Swindon across to Cambridgeshire and from Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire. As a strategic partnership of Local Authorities, EEH provides leadership on strategic transport, and wider strategic infrastructure.Our region is a national priority by the Government and our work plays a key role in supporting the Oxford – Cambridge Arc initiative.

As Principal Technical Lead, it’s a great time to come join our team as we deliver the ambitious programme of work in support of the region’s Transport Strategy, published in February 2021. EEH’s programme is about delivering a challenging agenda at pace: focusing on enabling growth, achieving net-zero carbon and realising a step change in connectivity for the region’s residents, communities and businesses.

About Us

The work of England’s Economic Heartland requires strong collaborative working between the local partners and more widely across the region. Its activities involve regular engagement, at a senior level, with Government departments, infrastructure owners and service providers.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. Flexible working enables the team to deliver efficiently and effectively.We are hosted by Buckinghamshire Council as the Accountable Body for EEH.

About The Role

On 25th February 2021, England’s Economic Heartland submitted its final Transport Strategy (to 2050) to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Transport Strategy sets a long-term vision that will enable the region to have a transport system that supports our growth aspirations while still responding and delivering a net-zero carbon transport system by 2050, ideally by 2040. To deliver these aspirations requires a credible, evidence-based plan that can challenge conventional approaches and set a path for the future that is deliverable.As Principal Technical Lead, this role is responsible for providing the technical advice and oversight to inform EEH’s work programme in support of the Transport Strategy’s policies. In addition to overall technical oversight, the role will have a particular focus on shaping the future of roads in the region, considering innovation and future technologies alongside delivery of a continual investment programme in our road infrastructure.The role requires regular engagement and collaboration at a senior level with Government departments and national infrastructure organisations, including managing EEH’s relationship with National Highways as well as service providers. It also requires regular engagement and collaboration with the elected Leaders and Executive Directors across our local authority partners.Within the framework of the overarching Transport Strategy, the Technical Lead Officer will be responsible for commissioning professional advice that will support our work, this will include technical analysis through to developing strategy implementation plans.England’s Economic Heartland is a collaborative partnership and the post holder will need to establish, develop and maintain strong working relationships with our partners.

Hybrid Working

This is a ‘mobile’ role, giving 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. The team meet face to face on a weekly basis, where possible in Aylesbury - this is generally on Mondays. However, reflecting the scale of the area served by England’s Economic Heartland, we welcome applications from across the EEH region and beyond.

About You

As our Principal Technical Lead, you will need to:

• Be experienced in managing a technical programme of work, bringing knowledge and expertise of one or more of: transport planning, strategic transport policy-making or delivery of major transport infrastructure programmes.
• Provide the oversight, capability and delivery of EEH’s Technical Programme, ensuring the technical work programme is delivered in a timely manner in accordance with all relevant financial and legal requirements.
• Manage a team of technical specialists, each leading their own portfolio of projects.
• Respond to and investigate complex enquiries, develop solutions to unresolved problems and anticipate issues by working collaboratively with partners from across the region, Government departments and associated organisations.
• Actively engage in maintaining a strong and effective working relationship with the Department for Transport, other Government departments, the Sub National Transport community and to manage EEH’s strategic relationship with National Highways.
• Set and embed the policy framework specifically for the future of roads so they are designed in a way that supports the region’s ambitions for decarbonisation. The postholder will work closely with EEH’s Innovation and Decarbonisation manager and will need to build on sector expertise and networks to achieve this.
• Undertake horizon-scanning to inform the regional and national approach to decarbonisation, the future of roads and provision of public transport and active travel.
• Prepare papers for information and decision for England’s Economic Heartland’s governance structure – at political and local level. To work collaboratively at the political and officer level across all of our partners to ensure the work of England’s Economic Heartland captures their expectations and ambitions.
• Represent England’s Economic Heartland across the region and nationally.
• Deputise for Managing Director as required.
• Demonstrate personal leadership, drive and an ability to harness the power of strategic collaborative partnerships to achieve maximum benefit.

Working knowledge of the EEH region would be an advantage but not essential.

Our values and culture

The EEH Business Unit embraces the set of values that have been adopted by our Accountable Body and which represent what we are – Proud, Accountable, Collaborative and Trustworthy.By joining the EEH Business Unit, 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
• 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

As a member of the EEH Business Unit, you will have access to the benefits offered to employees of Buckinghamshire Council. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. You will have access to discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto the Buckinghamshire Council Pension Scheme. You will have access to a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme and the opportunity to gain membership to Costco. You will also have access to discounted gym memberships, Travel discounts with Arriva and Chiltern Railways and much more.

How to Apply

Please apply via the Buckinghamshire Council website: https://ourjobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/job_detail/251665/