Stakeholder and Engagement Manager (Multiple Roles)

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 change that, improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail, from construction through to services running, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. The programme is projected to deliver a £6.7 billion annual boost to the regional economy by 2050.

Role Summary

We are looking for applications for a variety of roles responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders along the route, including local communities, and ensuring their interests are considered and addressed throughout the Programme. The roles involve proactive communication and engagement, issue resolution, and collaboration with internal teams to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and support.

Function

The External Affairs function is accountable for promoting what EWR Co is and the impact it will deliver. It is accountable for the external messaging on how the scheme is progressing, and for working with external stakeholders, including the communities along the line of route, to ensure their voices are heard. The function also manages the reputation of the scheme, engaging with media and using the appropriate channels to keep the public informed.

Key Responsibilities

Sitting within the External Engagement Team, you will play an active part in our communities to build awareness of and engagement with the programme, so that residents are informed of activities taking place.

In this role, you will:

• Build trusting relationships with stakeholders, from members of the public, local communities and businesses to elected and non-elected stakeholders where appropriate.
• Present EWR Co as a responsible business in all that we do, engaging with local people and communities and holding effective two-way conversations.
• Lead the coordination and delivery of stakeholder engagement and communications strategies and activities across the EWR route.
• Manage engagement and communications within the business, including dotted-line interests in a range of workstreams, by developing effective working relationships with the relevant Area Managers.
• Oversee external engagement across the business, including the delivery and design focus areas.
• Strengthen engagement and communication with stakeholders to help secure a DCO and move into delivery, working closely with teams across External Engagement, including Policy, Legacy & Community and Political Relations.
• Contribute to ongoing community engagement for East West Rail, ensuring face-to-face meetings and accessible contact points for local communities.
• Plan engagement activities to align with the stages of impact in the Eastern, Western and Central sections of the route, including construction phases where applicable.
• Monitor stakeholder and community concerns and issues, providing timely and effective responses.
• Coordinate and attend stakeholder meetings, briefings and events.
• Prepare stakeholder communications, including reports, presentations and briefing materials.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of External Engagement on engagement activities and issues.
• Take responsibility for your own and others' health and safety by working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
• Keep taxpayers' money at the forefront of decisions, with a cost-conscious mindset.
• Seek creative solutions to challenges and opportunities, showing a commitment to innovation.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision and behaviours, working in line with EWR Co's Ways of Working and encouraging others to do the same.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

You will bring:

• Experience of stakeholder management.
• Experience of developing and implementing stakeholder engagement plans.
• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Communication and negotiation skills.

Desirable Criteria

It would also be great if you have:

• Experience of stakeholder management within a large infrastructure project.

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

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, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences.

If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.