Land and Property Area Manager

Join to apply for the Land and Property Area Manager role at East West Railway Company

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, which blend beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage with globally renowned centres of education, business, technology and an increasingly dynamic business scene. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.

However, the lack of good East-west transport connections makes it harder for residents to make the most of everything the region has to offer. From faster commutes to days out with friends and family, EWR would make it easier to reach the things that matter most, bringing a range of benefits to communities between Oxford and Cambridge, and across the UK more broadly.

EWR is also one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

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.

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. This is a key role working within the client-side Land & Property Team at EWR Co. reporting to the Head of Land and Property to ensure the successful delivery of the DCO and to secure all the land required for the EWR project.

The Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs function is accountable for defining what EWR Co. is, and the impact it will deliver - setting scope and requirements. It is accountable for securing the required approvals to deliver the scheme, being the custodian of the Development Consent Order 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.

• Develop and deliver effective land and property strategies and plans, and to support a successful Development Consent Order (DCO) application and delivery of the project.
• Develop and deliver an engagement and consultation plan to identify those with an interest in land and property, and to facilitate effective communication with landowners and their representatives to secure temporary and permanent land assembly, and manage objection to the project in line with our Company vision and behaviours.
• Provide strategic oversight, coordination and integration assurance to successfully acquire the land and property required to construct, commission and operate the railway.
• Secure and manage agreements for temporary and permanent access to support construction, and operation of the project.
• Manage property costs, risks and opportunities and settlement of property claims including relevant dispute and Tribunal processes.
• Project manage the land and property work streams, including the land and property supply chain - monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to address potential issues and drive on-time delivery, to budget.
• Prepare and present programme reports, updates and performance metrics to the Head of Land and Property and other senior managers.
• Provide contract management input including change control for the administration of the Land and…