Digital Infrastructure and Innovation Lead

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking a Digital Infrastructure and Innovation Lead in Aylesbury to shape the county's economic future by developing strategies that improve digital connectivity and support innovation. You will collaborate with businesses, universities and government bodies to deliver impactful programmes and secure funding for strategic priorities.

The role sits within the Economic Strategy Team and involves managing complex programmes, engaging senior stakeholders, and representing

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of innovation, tech and digital infra strategies that support growth.
• Drive initiatives for businesses to adopt emerging technologies and new ways of working.
• Strengthen Bucks' innovation ecosystem by connecting businesses with universities, investors and government programmes.
• Lead digital infrastructure and connectivity agenda, improving broadband and mobile coverage.
• Secure external funding with business cases and funding proposals.

Job description

Digital Infrastructure and Innovation Lead

Location: Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire is home to a thriving business community, world-class businesses and a growing technology sector. Technology, innovation and connectivity are transforming the way economies grow and compete. Buckinghamshire has the opportunity to build on its strengths in innovation and enterprise to create even greater economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

As our Digital Infrastructure and Innovation Lead, you will play a key role in shaping the county's economic future by developing strategies and programmes that improve digital connectivity, support innovation and help businesses embrace new technologies.

You’ll join a collaborative and forward-thinking team that works across some of the most important economic growth, investment and infrastructure challenges facing Buckinghamshire.

Working within the Economic Strategy Team, you will collaborate with businesses, communities, government departments, universities, digital infrastructure providers and other strategic partners to deliver impactful initiatives that enhance productivity, attract investment and ensure residents and businesses benefit from high-quality digital infrastructure. This role combines strategic thinking and analysis, partnership development and programme delivery to create meaningful economic outcomes across Buckinghamshire.

About us

The Economy and Investment Service drives sustainable economic growth in Buckinghamshire through developing and delivering economic strategy, supporting business growth and attracting investment to enable our towns and economy to thrive. Working across a range of council services, strategic partners and businesses the team is focused on creating the conditions for economic growth across our varied sectors and communities.

About the role

As Digital Infrastructure and Innovation Lead, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of innovation, technology and digital infrastructure strategies that support sustainable economic growth.
• Drive initiatives that encourage businesses to adopt emerging technologies and innovative ways of working.
• Develop and strengthen Buckinghamshire's innovation ecosystem by connecting businesses with universities, research organisations, investors and government programmes.
• Lead the Council's digital infrastructure and connectivity agenda, supporting improvements to broadband, mobile coverage and future digital networks.
• Secure external funding and investment opportunities, developing business cases and funding proposals to support strategic priorities.
• Build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
• Commission and utilise research, data and market intelligence to inform policy and strategic decision making.
• Manage complex programmes and projects, ensuring successful delivery against agreed objectives, budgets and timescales.
• Represent Buckinghamshire Council at regional and national forums, championing opportunities for growth, investment and innovation.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic professional who can confidently navigate the worlds of economic development, innovation and digital infrastructure.

You will bring:

• Significant experience within economic development, innovation, technology or digital infrastructure or a closely related field.
• Experience of developing and delivering strategic programmes that drive economic growth, productivity or connectivity improvements.
• Strong understanding of innovation policy, digital infrastructure and the wider economic growth agenda.
• The ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across government, business, academia and infrastructure sectors.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience securing funding, developing business cases and managing complex projects or programmes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations and actionable plans.
• A proactive and innovative mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities and drive positive change.

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.

Proposed interview date: 10th December 2026

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

This post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government Act 1989.

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.