At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead economic development initiatives for a transformative railway project.
- Company: Join East West Rail, a key player in UK infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and excellent pension contributions.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the economy through innovative transport solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in economic development and strong partnership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
A little bit about us: East West Rail is one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects, a new railway connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, that is a once in a generation opportunity to transform transport and economic prospects across the Growth Corridor. The communities along this corridor contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year and EWR has the potential to unlock a further £78 billion. Supporting new homes, new towns, geographic regeneration, and underpinning the Government’s ambition for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. Committed to in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget and the 2025 Spending Review, EWR is building something that will shape places and people’s lives for generations.
Role Summary: This is a substantive role at the heart of EWR’s economic development work. Working closely with the Head of Economic Development, you’ll take the lead on developing and delivering the economic development programme — spanning strategy, research, stakeholder relationships, and programme management. The work operates at two scales: building strategic support for EWR across Government and corridor-level partners, and working locally to support place-based growth outcomes and the Development Consent Order process. You’ll bring these scales together, helping ensure that EWR’s design and delivery decisions are informed by the economic and community opportunities the railway creates. It’s a varied, cross-organisational role that combines external partnership working with internal advocacy — ensuring that sustainable economic growth stays central to EWR’s decision-making.
Key Responsibilities What you will do: You’ll lead the economic development programme across five interconnected work areas:
- Strategic, Growth Corridor-wide relationships: Build support for EWR across Whitehall by evidencing its contribution to national strategic priorities. Work with corridor-level partners to develop interventions that support growth outcomes at scale.
- Place-based relationships and DCO support: Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional stakeholders, connecting shared growth aspirations to the Development Consent Order process. Help mitigate DCO risk by ensuring local partners are engaged and invested in positive outcomes.
- Designing for growth: Work with Sponsors and design teams to ensure that growth and development opportunities inform station design and wider integration decisions. Represent the economic development perspective in trade-off discussions, keeping long-term place-making outcomes visible.
- Strengthening the business case: Identify and evidence ways in which EWR’s economic development activity supports and strengthens the programme business case. Create a positive feedback loop between the business case and on-the-ground growth opportunities.
- Embedding growth objectives across EWR Co: Advocate internally for economic growth, housing and social benefit to be planned for and embedded across EWR Co’s work. Help colleagues across the organisation understand the growth opportunities EWR creates and their role in realising them.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise What We’re Looking For:
- Substantial experience of cross-organisational partnership working, with evidenced outcomes.
- A proven record of leading and managing a programme of work from inception through to delivery and close-out.
- Experience in economic development — including analysis and strategy — preferably within an infrastructure context.
- Ability to build and sustain relationships with government partners (such as DfT, MHCLG, Homes England) and local stakeholders including Local Authorities.
- Comfortable working at both strategic and local scales, moving between corridor-wide policy and place-based delivery.
- Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to work through complex technical and stakeholder issues to resolution.
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 wellbeing benefits.
- Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards.
- Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion: 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, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences. If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
Senior Economic Development Manager in Milton Keynes employer: East West Rail Company
East West Rail Company is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous leave, and a strong focus on professional development, ensuring that team members grow alongside the company. With a commitment to public sector compliance and a culture that values effective communication, this role provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to vital infrastructure projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Economic Development Manager in Milton Keynes
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like East West Rail Company, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
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Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Economic Development Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for East West Rail Company and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at East West Rail Company
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with East West Rail Company, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for East West Rail Company.
