Rail Operations & Accessibility Administrator in Milton Keynes

A little bit about us: East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way. East West Railway Company (that’s us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple – to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.

Role Summary: This role will support the Rail Operations Team to deliver their programme in route‑wide development and administer the EWR Accessibility Advisory Panel (AAP) and other activities undertaken by the AAP. Other role dimensions include engaging with Network Rail’s Built Environment Accessibility Panel to arrange engagement sessions with EWR design teams. The role will also be pivotal in providing Project Admin support for all Rail Operations team projects which will include liaison with industry stakeholders.

Function: Railway Operations will provide a senior operational voice and operational guiding mind to EWR Co during design. The Railway Operations function is a champion of operational excellence for a reliable passenger railway. It ensures operational and maintenance basics are in place throughout the design and EWR delivers an operable and maintainable railway scheme. Accountable for representing the eventual operators and maintainers of the railway to design a neutral railway that could be operated effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan AAP and BEAP meetings up to 12 months in advance and all tasks associated with the meetings to ensure effective outcomes for the participants as well as EWR Co.
• Ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.
• Communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Planning and effective coordination and resolution of risks/issues/dependencies for the tasks and projects under the control of the team, where necessary initiating corrective actions, escalation and circulation of associated updates and reports.
• Managing project trackers and updating and issuing of documentation for periodic steering and working groups for the rail operations team.
• Secretariat and admin support of designated governance groups.
• Coordinating and managing the set up and organisation of the SharePoint repository for Railway Operations team documentation and alignment with Programme systems.
• Familiarisation and use of the EWR core systems (document control, risk and change management and general reporting – activity progress and financial based).
• Knowledge sharing of project management best practices, tools and techniques and improvement of processes and system application where necessary.
• Demonstrate a cost‑conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
• Show a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Relevant experience in an administration role.
• Knowledge and/or lived experience of disability is welcomed, but not essential.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organisation.
• Good attention to detail with a structured way of working.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• A self‑starter who can anticipate challenges and develop solutions proactively in a fast‑paced project environment working under own initiative and able to interpret information quickly and accurately.
• A strong understanding of project support and coordination and proficient in Microsoft Office applications is essential.
• Knowledge of programme and project management tools, i.e. APM/PRINCE2/P6 is desirable, but not essential.
• Knowledge of railway operations or significant delivery project/programmes is desirable, but not essential.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion qualifications are desirable, but not essential.

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future.
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days.
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community.
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies to support you and your loved ones.
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it.
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and well‑being benefits.
• Recognition programme, including on‑the‑spot and annual awards.
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.

Diversity and Inclusion: To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.