Senior Economic Development Manager

Senior Economic Development Manager

Application Deadline: 23 October 2026

Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

A little bit about us: East West Rail is one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects, a new railway connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, that is a once in a generation opportunity to transform transport and economic prospects across the Growth Corridor.

The communities along this corridor contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year and EWR has the potential to unlock a further £78 billion. Supporting new homes, new towns, geographic regeneration, and underpinning the Government’s ambition for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

Committed to in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget and the 2025 Spending Review, EWR is building something that will shape places and people’s lives for generations.

Role Summary: This is a substantive role at the heart of EWR’s economic development work. Working closely with the Head of Economic Development, you’ll take the lead on developing and delivering the economic development programme — spanning strategy, research, stakeholder relationships, and programme management.

The work operates at two scales: building strategic support for EWR across Government and corridor-level partners, and working locally to support place-based growth outcomes and the Development Consent Order process. You’ll bring these scales together, helping ensure that EWR’s design and delivery decisions are informed by the economic and community opportunities the railway creates.

It’s a varied, cross-organisational role that combines external partnership working with internal advocacy — ensuring that sustainable economic growth stays central to EWR’s decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

What you will do: You’ll lead the economic development programme across five interconnected work areas:

1. Strategic, Growth Corridor-wide relationships

• Build support for EWR across Whitehall by evidencing its contribution to national strategic priorities.
• Work with corridor‑level partners to develop interventions that support growth outcomes at scale.

2. Place‑based relationships and DCO support

• Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional stakeholders, connecting shared growth aspirations to the Development Consent Order process.
• Help mitigate DCO risk by ensuring local partners are engaged and invested in positive outcomes.

3. Designing for growth

• Work with Sponsors and design teams to ensure that growth and development opportunities inform station design and wider integration decisions.
• Represent the economic development perspective in trade‑off discussions, keeping long‑term place‑making outcomes visible.

4. Strengthening the business case

• Identify and evidence ways in which EWR’s economic development activity supports and strengthens the programme business case.
• Create a positive feedback loop between the business case and on‑the‑ground growth opportunities.

5. Embedding growth objectives across EWR Co

• Advocate internally for economic growth, housing and social benefit to be planned for and embedded across EWR Co’s work. Help colleagues across the organisation understand the growth opportunities EWR creates and their role in realising them.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

What We’re Looking For: Essential

• Substantial experience of cross‑organisational partnership working, with evidenced outcomes.
• A proven record of leading and managing a programme of work from inception through to delivery and close‑out.
• Experience in economic development — including analysis and strategy — preferably within an infrastructure context.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with government partners (such as DfT, MHCLG, Homes England) and local stakeholders including Local Authorities.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and local scales, moving between corridor‑wide policy and place‑based delivery.
• Strong analytic and communication skills, with the ability to work through complex technical and stakeholder issues 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: 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.

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