Project Manager (Railway Operations)

Project Manager (Railway Operations)

Application Deadline: 18 October 2026

Department: Railway Operations

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Reporting To: Train Service Delivery Development Lead

Description

East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.

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

We're looking for an experienced Project Manager – Railway Operations to play a critical role in ensuring our future railway is designed, developed and delivered with operations at its heart. This is a unique opportunity to influence how one of the UK's newest railways will operate for decades to come.

The Opportunity

As Project Manager within the Railway Operations team, you'll act as an influential operational voice across the programme, leading projects that translate operational requirements into practical, deliverable railway solutions.

Working closely with engineering, programme, commercial and industry stakeholders, you'll lead the development of operational strategies and infrastructure solutions covering:

• Railway operability and service delivery
• Depot and stabling facilities
• Maintenance access and servicing arrangements
• Operational readiness and asset handover
• Whole-system integration and railway performance

You’ll ensure that East West Rail delivers an operationally effective, maintainable and reliable railway that meets the needs of future operators, maintainers and passengers.

What you'll be doing

• Lead operational projects and workstreams from concept through to delivery and handover.
• Develop and manage project plans, programmes, budgets and delivery strategies.
• Drive operational solutions that support train service delivery, depot and stabling strategies, maintenance requirements and operational readiness.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams, consultants and suppliers to deliver operational outcomes.
• Ensure infrastructure and facilities are designed with operability, maintainability, safety and performance at their core.
• Lead engagement with operators, infrastructure managers, maintainers, regulators and wider industry stakeholders.
• Manage project risks, dependencies, issues and change control processes.
• Monitor delivery against programme milestones and performance objectives.
• Prepare reports, recommendations and project updates for senior leadership and governance forums.
• Support the safe introduction of assets into service and their long-term operational success.

What you'll bring

You’ll be an experienced project professional with a strong understanding of railway operations and infrastructure delivery.

Essential Experience

• Delivery of major rail, infrastructure or complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Managing project scope, programme, cost, risk and stakeholder interfaces.
• Leading external suppliers, consultants and delivery teams.
• Understanding of railway infrastructure systems and their interaction with operations and maintenance.
• Experience across design, assurance, delivery and handover phases.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.

Desirable Experience

• Railway depot, stabling, servicing or operational facilities projects.
• Railway operations, operational readiness or infrastructure handover.
• Rail industry assurance, acceptance and operational integration processes.
• Systems engineering and whole-system integration principles.
• Experience within a client-side major rail programme environment.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Project management qualification such as PRINCE2, APM PFQ/PMQ or Agile certification (desirable).
• Rail operations qualifications or IRO membership/modules (desirable).
• NEBOSH Level 3 (desirable).
• Signal Sighting experience or qualification (desirable).

Why Join East West Rail?

This is a rare opportunity to help define how a brand-new railway will operate. You'll work at the heart of a nationally significant programme, influencing strategic decisions, solving complex operational challenges and helping create a railway that is safe, reliable and ready for the future.

If you’re passionate about railway operations, major infrastructure delivery and shaping the future of rail, we’d love to hear from you.

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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