Senior Stakeholder Manager

Application Deadline: 11 February 2026

Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs
Location: Milton Keynes

Description

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 be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders along the route, ensuring their interests are considered and addressed throughout the Programme. This role involves proactive engagement, issue resolution, and collaboration with internal teams to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and support.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the coordination and delivery of stakeholder engagement strategies and activities across the Eastern/Western/Central section of the EWR route, to:
  • Develop trusting relationships with stakeholders ranging from members of the public, Parish Councils, LA Councillors, Landowners, Businesses as well as with both elected and non-elected stakeholders where appropriate.
  • Present EWR Co as a responsible business in all that we do, engaging with local people and having effective two-way conversations.
• Manage engagement within the business to support the above outcomes, and dotted-line interests in a range of workstreams, by:
  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the relevant Area Managers.
  • Overseeing external engagement across the business including, and not limited to, the delivery and design focus areas of the business.
  • Overseeing the strategic direction of stakeholder engagement towards securing a Development Consent Order.
  • Working closely with teams across External Engagement including Policy, Legacy & Community & Political relations.
  • Managing Local Representative Groups across the Eastern/Western/Central section of the route.
  • Managing Community Conversations across the Eastern/Western/Central section of the route.
  • Planning all engagement activities to align with the various stages of impact in the Eastern/Western/Central section of the route, including Construction phases where applicable.
• Regular engagement activity including:
  • Monitoring stakeholder concerns and issues, providing timely and effective responses.
  • Coordinating and attending stakeholder meetings, briefings, and events.
  • Preparing stakeholder communications, including reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
  • Providing regular updates to the Head of Engagement on stakeholder engagement activities and issues.