At the start of 2026, the local job market across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire is well and truly active, varied and full of opportunity for candidates who know what employers are actually looking for. Rather than talking about national stats or broad trends, we cover what’s currently live on the Bucks & Berks jobs board and what that tells us about demand right now.
Office Roles Are Still Popular Locally
A quick look at the live vacancies shows that local organisations of all sizes are recruiting across traditional office roles.
In Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, you’ll find:
- Temporary Supply Team Administrator roles in High Wycombe – full-time and office-based, helping teams cover short-term gaps.
- A temporary Accounts Assistant role in Marlow, ideal for someone with purchase ledger experience.
- Permanent Associate Marketing Manager opportunity in Bourne End, showing demand for strategic roles as well as growth in marketing industry roles locally.
- A permanent HR Admin Assistant in High Wycombe – needing continued investment in people and employee support.
- A permanent Accounts Assistant role in Windsor offering a competitive salary and benefits.
These local jobs show a mix of support-level roles alongside more senior roles that carry accountability and scope for progression.
Hybrid and Office Presence Expectations
Most of the current roles are office-based or have a significant office presence built into them. Even where hybrid flexibility exists, employers are clear that collaboration, training or client interaction requires people on site regularly.
This suggests local businesses are still valuing physical presence for many office functions, whether that’s to support teams administratively or for day-to-day operational cohesion.
Skills and Behaviours Local Employers Are Prioritising
Across these live roles, certain capabilities stand out:
- Organisation and reliability – essential for admin, accounts and HR support roles.
- Communication and initiative – especially in roles like Communications Manager, Graduate Events Assistant and Recruitment Consultant.
- Adaptability – temporary and contract roles reflect a need for candidates who can hit the ground running.
These are traits hiring managers are actively seeking, often valuing them as much as formal qualifications.
Salary Expectations and Market Reality
The breadth of roles shows a range of salary expectations, which reflects the diversity in local office hiring:
- Temporary admin and accounts roles pay hourly rates around £12.50–£15.00.
- Permanent roles in Windsor, Marlow and High Wycombe span from early career salaries (around £25–27k) through to experienced positions like Communications Manager and HR Admin.
This spread means candidates who understand where they sit in terms of experience and value can position themselves more confidently during applications and interviews.
What This Means for Our Candidates Right Now
If you’re looking for your next office role locally, a few pointers from the live market:
- Be specific in how you demonstrate your experience and skills on your CV. Employers are using applications to sift quickly by practical capability.
- For entry-level and junior roles, emphasise your attitude and willingness to learn – a trait that’s standing out in candidate screening.
- Temporary and contract roles can be great ways to build experience and potentially move into longer-term opportunities.
What This Means for Local Employers
For employers hiring right now:
- Being clear about hybrid expectations and office presence helps set the right candidate expectations from the outset.
- Highlighting growth opportunities within a role attracts candidates thinking long-term.
- A mix of contract, temporary and permanent recruitment allows you to balance flexibility with continuity.
Why Local Insight Matters
Bucks & Berks has a unique view of the Thames Valley job market that goes beyond generic job boards. Seeing trends through what’s actually hiring in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire gives you a clear picture of opportunities and expectations in office careers right now.
Whether you’re a candidate thinking about your next step or an employer shaping your hiring plans for 2026, why not get in touch to see how we can help you.
