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- Tasks: Engage communities and champion social value initiatives for the TRU East project.
- Company: VolkerRail Ltd is a leading contractor in innovative engineering solutions across various sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, private medical care, and discounts on shopping and restaurants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while working on a high-profile transport project.
- Qualifications: Passion for community engagement; strong communication skills; experience in data collection is a plus.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to influence future generations through sustainable infrastructure.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
VolkerRail Major Projects is an expert in collaborative working through joint ventures and alliance schemes. Collaborative working agreements are a proven strategy for delivering large, complex railway projects, and through its strong relationships with other major contractors, VolkerRail Major Projects has helped to deliver several of the biggest rail projects over the last decade.
The mission of the TRU East Alliance is to transform the East of Leeds route allowing people to travel faster, more reliably and in greater comfort between the North's great cities. Providing passengers with more choice, more seats and better facilities on a safer, cleaner, more environmentally friendly railway.
The TRU East project is broken down into multiple overlapping projects. Project E1 which is currently in build and planned to complete in November 2025. With the remaining projects E2,3,4 and Shipley planned to complete in 2028. The project works include full new electrification between Leeds and York and include significant and complex renewals works at Neville Hill and Church Fenton. The works also include a new depot at Shipley, and line speed enhancement and journey time improvement works along the route between Leeds and York.
Are you passionate about making a positive community impact? Do you believe in the power of collaboration to deliver inspiring infrastructure projects? VolkerRail Major Projects is looking for a dedicated Social Value Advisor to join our dynamic team working on the high-profile TRU East Alliance project based at Cross Green, Leeds with travel between Leeds, York, and Shipley.
As our Social Value Advisor, you’ll be at the heart of community engagement, ensuring social value is embedded into every phase of the project. Your responsibilities will include:
- Championing social value initiatives across the TRU East team
- Engaging local schools, colleges, universities, charities, and community groups
- Building strong relationships with local communities to understand their needs
- Coordinating community impact assessments to minimise environmental and social footprints
- Tracking and reporting on social value outcomes to demonstrate our positive impact
- Supporting sustainability deliverables (such as Environmental and Social Management Plans and BREEAM assessments) through innovative community initiatives
About you: We are searching for someone passionate about community engagement and social impact, with a creative spirit and excellent relationship-building skills. You should be confident in engaging a wide range of stakeholders and motivated to leave a meaningful legacy.
Ideal Skills & Experience:
- Understanding of the construction/infrastructure/rail sector (advantageous but not mandatory).
- Strong data collection and reporting skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Flexible, proactive, and positive attitude; diplomatic and patient, demonstrating the ability to co-ordinate multiple parties and act collaboratively.
- Knowledge of the Social Value Act 2012.
- Confidence to engage many stakeholders including the wider team and supply chain to inspire action to deliver against targets including volunteering, apprenticeships, STEM, local procurement, and SME spend.
- Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint).
- Proactive, diplomatic, and team-oriented attitude.
- Ability to work on own initiative and seek out opportunities.
- Full UK driving license and willingness to travel locally.
This is more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to influence a major transport project that will shape communities for generations. If you’re enthusiastic about social value and community development, we want to hear from you!
If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.
Why work with us? VolkerRail is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerRail are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees and offer a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
- Private medical care
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
- Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
- 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, inclusion and respect: We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
If you need support with your application, please contact us at careers@volkerwessels.co.uk
VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.
Social Value Advisor employer: VolkerRail Ltd
Contact Detail:
VolkerRail Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Value Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Social Value Act 2012, as understanding this legislation is crucial for the role. Being able to discuss its implications and how it relates to community engagement will show your commitment to social value.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the construction and rail sectors. Attend local events or join online forums where you can connect with others who share your passion for community impact and infrastructure projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your relationship-building skills by thinking of examples from your past experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully engaged with diverse stakeholders and made a positive impact in your community.
✨Tip Number 4
Research VolkerRail and their recent projects, especially the TRU East Alliance. Understanding their mission and values will help you align your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Value Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Social Value Advisor. Familiarise yourself with community engagement, social value initiatives, and the specific projects mentioned in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Emphasise your communication abilities, relationship-building skills, and any experience in community engagement or social impact.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for community impact and collaboration. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the TRU East project and the values of VolkerRail.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, make sure to mention your understanding of the Social Value Act 2012 and any data collection or reporting skills you possess. This will show that you are well-prepared for the role and understand its importance.
How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerRail Ltd
✨Understand the Role of Social Value
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what social value means in the context of infrastructure projects. Be prepared to discuss how you can champion social value initiatives and engage with local communities effectively.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Since the role involves engaging with various stakeholders, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships. Highlight your communication skills and how they can help in understanding community needs.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation
Brush up on the Social Value Act 2012 and any other relevant legislation. Being knowledgeable about these laws will demonstrate your commitment to embedding social value into projects and your ability to navigate compliance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would coordinate community impact assessments or track social value outcomes, and be ready to share your thought process.
