Hear from our staff in Corporate roles

Claire had heard great things about Bedford Borough Council and so when change in career beckoned she knew it would be a good fit: "The development on offer and the supportive environment that I’d be working in. I had a bit of a change in career and knew this was somewhere I could develop my skills". 

As a Communications and Communities Manager, Claire was inspired to pursue this career because of her passion for connecting people through storytelling: "I’ve always been drawn to the power of communication to shape perceptions, build relationships, and drive positive change. The ability to craft and share messages that resonate with diverse audiences, whether it’s promoting community initiatives or engaging stakeholders, is something I find incredibly rewarding. My role allows me to use both creativity and strategy, where I can amplify voices, highlight important work of the Council and contribute to the growth and success of the community."

Claire feels Bedford Borough Council is a place where people genuinely want to get the best deal for residents and businesses, adding: "It’s forward thinking, allows me to develop my owns skills all while getting to work with some brilliant people. 

"I’ve gained valuable skills in strategic communication, public relations, and community engagement, all of which are crucial for my role. The Council’s supportive environment has provided me with opportunities to lead impactful projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and enhance my expertise in both traditional and digital media. Additionally, the informal mentorship offered here have helped me refine my leadership abilities and stay current with industry best practices, ultimately enabling me to contribute more effectively to our Council community."

Claire's role is extremely varied and that's its appeal: "Every day is different and that’s also one of the best parts of the job! My daily tasks can range from having a one-on-one with the Chief Executive to handling media inquiries over the phone and via email. I also spend time brainstorming and developing creative campaigns, like our upcoming Christmas initiative to encourage people to visit Bedford. I also get to meet with lots of great charities and volunteer groups in the Borough and make sure they get the opportunity to network and share ideas at our various events. A key part of my role is managing a fantastic team, catching up with them on their latest projects, and ensuring they feel supported and empowered. The variety in my day keeps things fresh and engaging!"

Such a role comes with its challenges however but is an excellent opportunity for Claire to use her problem solving skills: "As a Communications and Communities Manager, have to navigate the complexities of crisis communication. When issues arise, I need to quickly assess the situation, develop a clear and effective response, and manage the flow of information to various stakeholders. Balancing transparency while maintaining the organisation’s reputation, requires quick thinking and strategic planning.

And of course that also means the rewards are high: "The most rewarding part of my role is witnessing the growth and development of my team. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see team members advance their careers, whether they’re moving on to new opportunities or achieving recognition for their work. Watching their professional growth and knowing that I’ve played a part in their development is truly gratifying. Plus, we manage to have a bit of fun along the way, which makes the experience even more enjoyable."

Claire's advice for anyone considering working for a local authority is simple: "Do it! Working in local government has offered me a wealth of opportunities and a diverse range of roles and projects. You’ll find that the experience can be incredibly rewarding, with the chance to make a tangible impact on your community. You need to embrace the variety and be prepared for a dynamic environment where you can contribute to meaningful change."

Vanessa has been with Bedford Borough Council for 25 years, and she explains what keeps her here is "the deep sense of accomplishment I feel when applying the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. The people I work with also play a huge role in my job satisfaction - the friendships and connections I’ve made with my colleagues make logging into work a pleasure every day."

Every day brings something different for her role and Vanessa says it's that unpredictability that keeps things interesting. "In HR and Payroll, there’s always something new to learn and implement, and it’s this blend of challenges and continuous learning that makes my job so rewarding. That’s what makes me stay" she explains.

Vanessa's career journey at Bedford Borough Council began in July 2000 when she joined as a receptionist/administrative assistant at DSD Leisure, based at the Bedford Corn Exchange. She managed managed hall hire bookings, ticket sales, and  handled administration for the Council's allotments. 

In 2005 she joined HR as a personnel assistant and four years later transitioned to the role of HR assistant, focusing on employee-related tasks for the Council and later for school clients. "As I gained more experience, I worked closely with other members within HR and learnt more about both the recruitment side of operations as well as employee side" Vaness explains, "learning about job evaluations and the intricacies of terms and conditions". 

"HR eventually merged with Payroll, and in October 2019, I stepped into the role of advanced HR and Payroll Transactions Officer. In this position, I helped ensure that all HR and payroll processes were completed on time each month and provided support to our clients. I also completed a CIPP Payroll Technician Certificate to deepen my understanding of payroll.

In April 2023, I advanced to my current role as HR Data and Processing Officer. I am now the main point of contact within the team for HR and Payroll self-service queries, support system maintenance for our HR and Payroll systems, Resourcelink and MyView, and produce and update user guides for these systems. Additionally, I handle standard and ad-hoc reports and manage and submit statutory HR and payroll returns. It’s been quite a journey since 2000, and I’ve enjoyed every step of the way!

Vanessa has been supported with lots of career development opportunities: "When HR merged with Payroll, I was provided funding to complete a CIPP Payroll Technician Certificate to deepen my understanding of payroll, which has proven invaluable in my role. 

"I am also currently undertaking a 13-month Advanced Level 3 Data Literacy Apprenticeship, which is fully funded and conducted entirely during my normal working hours, so there is no need for me to use my personal time for this course. Through this apprenticeship, I apply my learning to my day-to-day role, developing the foundational skills needed to use data more efficiently, reduce reliance on manual processes, and work with data independently. Taking this course is helping me contribute to the Council’s vision of becoming an insights and data-driven organisation, allowing us to make high-value, proactive decisions based on the data we manage."

And this supportive environment means Vanessa is happy to stay and progress even further with Bedford Borough Council: "My future aspirations are to continue growing and progressing in my career while remaining with the Council - I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else, I feel like part of the furniture here! When I retire, I want to look back with pride, knowing that I’ve worked hard for a great local authority and made a meaningful difference in my role at the Council."

Vanessa says the most challenging part of her role is finding solutions to problems - and doing so quickly. "Having worked in the HR department for over 20 years, I’m familiar with how most things work within our system and how we handle different scenarios. However, there’s always something new that comes up that I haven’t encountered before. I constantly draw from my knowledge bank or work to develop solutions to these new issues. While this can be challenging, it’s also the most rewarding part of my role when I find a solution and can share it with others".

The challenges are offset with rewards: "The most rewarding part of my role is using my extensive knowledge, gained from working with the same team for a long time to help and guide others in finding solutions to their issues. I love being able to help by providing data, information, and solutions that support others in their roles."

For anyone thinking of working in local government Vanessa says "Do it!", adding "I love working for the Council - the people and the challenges I face each day make it incredibly rewarding. While there can be a lot of work to tackle at times, everyone I’ve worked with at the Council have always been supportive, helpful, and friendly. Who wouldn’t want to work in an environment like that every day!"