Senior Project Manager
Application Deadline: 9 November 2025
Department: Delivery
Employment Type: Permanent
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: The Senior Project Manager (SPM) is responsible for managing the development of projects within a geographic area with significant proportions of the linear infrastructure being ‘online’ and most of the area being within the heavily urbanised city setting. This presents opportunities but also challenges that the SPM must proactively manage. These projects are complex and multi-disciplinary with significant interest from a large variety of stakeholders outside of EWR. This role involves oversight, coordination, and integration assurance to achieve project milestones and objectives.
Function: The Delivery function is accountable for delivering an asset which aligns to the Sponsor requirements, establishing a safe, reliable and integrated railway. Delivery will demonstrate delivery excellence through technical innovation and design excellence, underpinned by mature Programme controls to maximise the benefit of project delivery in relation to public pound spent. Delivery will act as an intelligent and informed integrated team, that uses a network of third-party strategic suppliers to leverage the capabilities required to deliver the asset.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets for significant projects.
* Key point of contact for projects within the geographical area, both with internal EWR stakeholders and external stakeholder, acting as a conduit between the area and the programme to ensure information is actively shared to enable action.
* To focus on the development of single option design, including extensive engagement with external stakeholders as East West Rail work towards the preparation of the Development Consent Order.
* Matrix management of a multi-disciplinary team across design and engineering.
* Act as the single point of contact for project delivery for the respective area.
* Work closely with other team members to ensure there is a collective awareness of activities being undertaken across all geographical areas.
This will include:
* Balancing the need for tailored area solutions whilst serving the programme.
* Recognition of the EWR project as a whole so it can achieve its objectives.
* Sequencing of activities across areas to ensure economies of scale.
* Providing consistent messaging and approach across areas.
* Ensuring interfaces across the programme are appropriately identified and managed.
* Coordinate and collaborate with engineers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure project alignment and compliance.
* Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to address potential issues.
* Oversee quality control and safety management processes to ensure adherence to industry standards and regulations.
* Prepare and present progress reports, updates, and project documentation to senior management and stakeholders.
* Manage project resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to optimise efficiency and productivity.
* Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
* Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
* Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
* Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Strong project management experience across scope, schedule and cost.
* Effective team player with a deep understanding of multidisciplinary roles and the ability to inspire high performance.
* Strong commitment to delivering a high-quality output and to driving hight standards across the team.
* Extensive experience of project controls including periodic reporting, assumptions management, contract administration, document management.
* Project management experience in linear infrastructure.
* Project management experience of design, engineering, environment, utilities, town planning and land and property.
* Experience of client role in public consultations and dealing with external bodies.
* Familiarity of business case, benefits management, Client Requirements.
* Project management experience of pre-consenting stage of major infrastructure projects.
* NEC contract management experience.
* Experience of CEMAR.
* Construction management experience.
* Experience of project management within a DCO/TWA process.
* Experience of working with Local Authorities in a major change programme.
* Working knowledge of Primavera P6 for project scheduling and planning.
Education and qualifications:
* Relevant degree for the role
* Relevant industry qualifications – APM/ MSP or other
Benefits
What we offer:
* Competitive base salary
* Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
* 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy
* Life assurance
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a range of benefits on the Perkbox platform
* On-the-spot and annual awards
* Advanced learning and development programmes
* Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities
* Enhanced family-friendly policies
* Exceptional IT tools
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style
Diversity and Inclusion: To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
We are open to secondments through the Rail Industry Talent Exchange Programme.
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