Economic Development Manager
Application Deadline: 3 May 2026
Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Milton Keynes
Reporting To: Head of Economic Development
Description
A little bit about us:
The purpose of East West Rail is to deliver sustainable economic growth for new and existing communities across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Working with partners and places, we can maximise the economic benefits of Government investment in East West Rail.
East West Railway will provide a step-change in connectivity 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.
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.
EWR is also one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
EWR is being championed by the Government as a key driver to economic growth leading to a potential £78 Billion boost to the UK economy: supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.
Role Summary:
This role will lead the economic development work programme with support from the Head of Economic Development. This will involve strategy development, research, project management, deliverables review and managing relationships with businesses, local and government partners to ensure the railway unlocks maximum economic benefit. This role involves a combination of cross-organisational working, managing consultancy commissions and reporting/analysis.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic, Growth Corridor-wide relationships that build support for EWR and the Growth Corridor — Building support for the scheme within Whitehall by demonstrating EWR’s contribution to national strategic priorities and policies. Working with partners at Corridor-level to support interventions for growth outcomes.
2. Tactical, Place-based relationships, that support growth outcomes and the DCO — Build support for the scheme with local and regional stakeholders, to support positive growth outcomes on the ground. Elevating stakeholder engagement around shared aspirations and support for the DCO, mitigating DCO risk.
3. Designing for Growth — Working with Sponsors to represent the growth and development opportunities as they make trade-offs and decisions with design teams regarding station design and integration.
4. Strengthening the business case — Creating a virtuous loop between the EWR Business Case and the economic development opportunities; identifying ways to evidence and support growth, strengthening the case for EWR.
5. Embedding sustainable economic growth objectives across EWR Co — Advocating across EWR Co to plan for the economic growth, housing and social benefits unlocked by delivery of EWR.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Substantial experience of cross-organisational partnership working, with evidenced outcomes.
* Evidence of successfully leading and managing a programme of work, from inception, design, implementation through to delivery and close out.
* Experience in economic development: analysis and strategy, preferably within infrastructure projects.
* Ability to engage and build relationships with governmental (for example, DfT, MHCLG, Homes England) and local partners (for example, Local Authorities).
* Ability to work at strategic and local scales: growth‑corridor and local places.
* Ability to work through complex technical and stakeholder issues through to resolution.
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
* 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 on‑the‑spot and annual awards
* Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
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