Senior Political Relations Manager
Application Deadline: 6 May 2025
Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs
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:
This role will be responsible for managing relationships with key political stakeholders, ensuring their interests are considered and addressed throughout the programme. This role involves proactive engagement, issue resolution, and collaboration with internal teams to maintain and strengthen stakeholder support for this locally and nationally significant infrastructure project.
Function:
The Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs function is accountable for defining what EWR Co. is, and the impact it will deliver. It is accountable for securing the required approvals to deliver the scheme, being the custodian of the DCO submission, including statutory consultation, and building a compelling business case. It will hold design and delivery to account to create an asset which will realise the economic benefits.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify and manage relationships with key political stakeholders and organisations.
* Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans to support project goals including tracking and reporting.
* Monitor stakeholder concerns and issues, providing timely and effective responses.
* Coordinate and attend stakeholder meetings, briefings, and events.
* Collaborate with internal teams, including Strategic Communications and Media, Stakeholder Engagement, and Community teams, to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated efforts.
* Prepare stakeholder communications, including reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
* Provide regular updates to the Head of Political Relations on stakeholder engagement activities and issues.
* Take responsibility for your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
* Demonstrate a cost-conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
* Show 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
* Proven experience in stakeholder management, preferably within a large infrastructure project.
* Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a particular focus on political stakeholders.
* Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
* Experience in developing and implementing stakeholder engagement plans.
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
• Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies
• 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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