East West Railway Company
Delivery Director (Core Section)
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East West Rail is an infrastructure programme connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge, a region currently underserved by transport. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve prosperity for people and places across the corridor.
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was established by the Department for Transport to oversee delivery from construction through to operation, ensuring the railway comes together in the right way for the communities it serves.
We are committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that means nurturing a diverse team that reflects the UK communities we serve. Our approach is straightforward: 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 actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
Role Summary
East West Rail is one of the most significant transport infrastructure investments in a generation, a programme that will reconnect communities, unlock economic growth, and reshape how people move between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. This is genuinely nation-building work, and the Core Section is at its heart.
The Core Section is the greenfield element of the programme: the most technically complex part of East West Rail, and the section with the greatest potential to transform connectivity for the communities it passes through. It is delivered directly by EWR Co. As Delivery Director, you will have end-to-end accountability for bringing it to life, leading an effective, collaborative team, working through an Alliancing model with major supply chain partners, and navigating the full breadth of programme delivery from design through to handover.
The decisions you make will shape infrastructure that will serve communities for generations. Few roles in UK infrastructure offer this combination of scale, complexity and genuine public impact, with the chance to leave infrastructure that communities will rely on for generations.
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About the Delivery Function
The Delivery function is accountable for producing an asset that aligns to Sponsor requirements and establishes a safe, reliable and integrated railway. We aim to demonstrate delivery excellence through technical and design innovation, underpinned by mature programme controls that maximise public value.
We operate as an intelligent, integrated team, working through a network of strategic supply chain partners to bring together the capabilities needed to deliver the asset.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear, values-led leadership for the Core Section delivery team, fostering a collaborative “one team” culture and aligned objectives
- Hold overall accountability for the successful delivery of the Core Section
- Support the procurement and development of an Alliancing model to manage works across the section
- Build effective working relationships with Delivery Partners, managing performance and driving continuous improvement
- Proactively identify, manage and mitigate project and programme-level risks
- Identify and realise opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and optimise programme schedule
- Support the development of a digital environment that provides a single source of truth across the programme ecosystem
- Nurture positive relationships with communities and key stakeholders along the route
- Create an environment in which the whole team can grow, develop and thrive
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Significant experience leading and delivering complex infrastructure investment programmes
- Experience of collaborative delivery models, including partnering or Alliancing
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across diverse groups
- Experience leading effective, collaborative teams across complex, matrixed organisations
- Experience of contract management and generating best value from the supply chain
- Experience preparing and managing complex budgets
- Commercially aware and customer focused
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Experience in accountability-level roles on major programmes, including portfolios with values in excess of £1.5bn
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Desirable
- Relevant professional qualification/s
- Experience in greenfield infrastructure delivery
- Familiarity with rail infrastructure or regulated environments
- Experience working within government-sponsored or client-side programme management structures
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
- Find your tribe with our Pride, EWR Women in Rail, Culture Collective and Ability employee network groups
- 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 quarterly and annual awards
- Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow and a structured Welcome Day to help you get up to speed quickly
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 welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. If you require any adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know.
So if you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
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