Chief of Staff
Application Deadline: 4 February 2025
Department: CEO Office
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
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 running the CEO Office, acting as a strategic advisor to the CEO, and facilitating effective communication and collaboration among senior leadership and across functions. This pivotal role involves orchestrating and overseeing activities that support the Chief Executive, the Executive team, and the Board, ensuring seamless operations and alignment with EWR’s mission and goals.
Function:
The Chief Executive’s Office will work across the organisation to help deliver the EWR’s strategic priorities and oversee activities to support the Chief Executive, Executive and Board. The Chief Executive Officer serves as the public face of the company in most cases and is the main interface with our Client, the Department for Transport.
Contract: 12 month FTC
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee special projects and initiatives, ensuring they are executed efficiently and effectively.
* Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among senior leadership and across functions.
* Handle complex problem-solving and provide strategic advice to the CEO.
* Ensure alignment of organisational activities with the company's strategic priorities and goals.
* Act as a liaison between the CEO, the Executive team, and the Board, ensuring smooth information flow and decision-making processes.
* Manage the interface between EWR and the DfT Sponsor.
* Prepare comprehensive briefings and reports for the CEO and Executive team.
* Manage a team of executive assistants to coordinate the drumbeat of work between executive team members.
* Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence.
* 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 track record of strategic planning and execution, with the ability to manage multiple high-level projects simultaneously.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to facilitate effective collaboration among senior leadership.
* Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a strategic mindset and the ability to provide sound advice to the CEO.
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.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr