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 December 2024. 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:
1. Championing social value initiatives across the TRU East team
2. Engaging local schools, colleges, universities, charities, and community groups
3. Developing volunteering programs, STEM activities, and skills development opportunities
4. Building strong relationships with local communities to understand their needs
5. Coordinating community impact assessments to minimise environmental and social footprints
6. Tracking and reporting on social value outcomes to demonstrate our positive impact
7. 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.
8. Experience in event coordination, volunteering, education engagement, or skills development.
9. Understanding of the construction/infrastructure/rail sector (advantageous but not mandatory).
10. Strong data collection and reporting skills.
11. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
12. Flexible, proactive, and positive attitude; diplomatic and patient, demonstrating the ability to co-ordinate multiple parties and act collaboratively.
13. Knowledge of the Social Value Act 2012.
14. 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.
15. Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint).
16. Proactive, diplomatic, and team-oriented attitude.
17. Ability to work on own initiative and seek out opportunities.
18. 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.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
19. Competitive salary
20. Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
21. Private medical care
22. Pension
23. Life Assurance
24. Cycle to Work scheme
25. Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
26. Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
27. Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
28. Employee Assistance programme
29. Mental health, physical health, and financial support
30. 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
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