At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of a major railway project, tackling complex challenges and ensuring safe construction.
- Company: Join East West Rail, a key player in UK infrastructure with government backing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while shaping the future of transport in the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior roles managing complex infrastructure projects and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ per year.
East West Rail is one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects, a new railway connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. 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, and regeneration across the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. Committed to in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget and the 2025 Spending Review, this is a programme with Government backing, long-term funding certainty, and real national significance. Work is under way, and the pace is building.
Role Summary: This is a senior leadership role at the heart of EWR’s delivery function, working directly alongside the Deputy Delivery Executive Director to keep one of the UK’s most watched infrastructure programmes on track. The Senior Programme Manager acts as a trusted trouble shooter and strategic adviser, stepping into complex, cross-functional challenges, driving delivery readiness, and ensuring that the conditions for safe and efficient construction are in place before work begins on site.
The Delivery function at EWR Co is accountable for delivering an asset that meets Sponsor requirements, establishing a safe, reliable, and integrated railway. It operates as an intelligent, integrated team, drawing on a network of strategic suppliers and requiring the kind of senior judgement that comes from having delivered major infrastructure before.
The role carries real authority. You will represent the Deputy Executive Director at executive, management, and Board level meetings, provide senior quality assurance of programme documentation and business papers, and lead on recovery actions when issues arise. At the same time, this is a role that requires genuine collaborative instinct: the ability to bring multidisciplinary teams together, deepen stakeholder relationships, and drive a culture where safety and delivery excellence are inseparable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic delivery and troubleshooting: Support the Delivery Executive Director and Deputy in resolving key delivery issues, acting as a senior troubleshooter for complex, unexpected, and cross-functional challenges. Provide strategic delivery oversight across the function, applying lessons from major project experience to set the programme up for success. Represent the Deputy Executive Delivery Director at executive, management, and Board level meetings as required. Respond to executive requests and represent EWR Co at stakeholder events.
- Delivery readiness and integration: Lead cross-functional delivery readiness, with particular focus on integration across disciplines, resourcing, and establishing the conditions for a safe and efficient start on site. Support baseline management across the delivery team, ensuring that scope, schedule, and cost plans are aligned and delivering the required outcomes. Support governance development, strengthening the effectiveness of meetings to drive decisions, assurance, and accountability.
- Risk, safety and performance: Provide visible safety leadership, actively shaping a culture where safety is a core organisational value. Support delivery teams in identifying and mitigating risks, leading recovery actions where needed, and escalating issues to the executive in a timely manner. Provide senior-level quality assurance of business papers, presentations, and programme documentation.
- People and stakeholders: Support the executive team in deepening relationships with key strategic stakeholders, including senior officials in Government and industry. Help maintain employee engagement, communication, recognition, and wellbeing across the function. Model EWR Co’s values and ways of working, and support others to do the same.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise:
This is a role for someone who has operated at senior level on major infrastructure and knows what good programme delivery looks like from the inside. You will be comfortable working at pace, comfortable with ambiguity, and trusted by peers and executives alike. Substantial experience managing and delivering complex infrastructure investment schemes across the full project lifecycle. A strong record of senior leadership in matrixed, cross-functional environments, with the ability to influence without direct authority. Proven ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, translating complex technical and programme issues into clear strategic narratives for different audiences. Excellent communication, relationship management, and presentation skills, with the ability to make complex issues clear to a wide range of audiences. Strong understanding of infrastructure delivery, design integration, and schedule and cost assurance. Sound judgement in high-pressure environments, with experience of identifying, resolving, and escalating risks and issues effectively. Experience engaging with senior Government officials, industry leaders, or boards.
What you will get:
- Salary - Competitive, reflecting your skills and experience
- Pension - Up to 12% employer contribution
- Annual leave - 36 days (including bank holidays), plus option to buy 2 more
- Family policies - Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
- Volunteering - 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Life assurance - 4x annual salary
- Wellbeing - Employee Assistance Programme and access to Perkbox discounts
- Recognition - On-the-spot and annual awards programme
- Development - Advanced learning and growth opportunities
Diversity & Inclusion: At East West Rail, we are building a railway for everyone and that means building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to creating an environment where all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are genuinely welcome. We are a proud equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to support your application, please let us know.
Senior Programme Manager employer: East West Railway Company
East West Railway Company is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and sustainability in the transport sector. Located in Milton Keynes, we foster a collaborative work culture where employees are encouraged to grow through professional development opportunities and contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of railways in the UK. Join us to be part of a team that values inclusivity and technical excellence while making a positive impact on the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Manager
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like East West Railway Company, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Programme Manager at East West Railway Company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at East West Railway Company
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
