Management Head, Program ​/ Project Manager

Head of Schedule

Final date to receive applications: 27 January 2026

Department: Delivery

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

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 developing, setting and managing the overall scheduling strategy and plan for the East West Rail project. This المد includes being responsible for setting and maintaining the project's Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), co‑ordinating and maintaining alignment with the project's Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and the Organisational Breakdown Structure.

In defining the scheduling strategy and plan, the role will make sure that there is full alignment and integration between East West Rail and the partners organisation's schedules. To support timely and effective activity tracking and performance management.

This role leads a team of planning professionals, coordinatingrespons side stakeholder's making sure the project timeline aligns with and accurately reflects project objectives and delivery milestones.

• Develop and implement the scheduling strategy and framework for the programme.
• Work closely with the Head of Baseline and Change, providing impact assessments as needed to support accurate and timely change management activity.
• Establish and maintain the project's Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) including alignment to the Cost Breakdown Structure.
• Oversee the creation, maintenance, and monitoring of the integrated programme schedule.
Lead and manage the Scheduling team, ensuring effective performance and professional development.
• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholder's making sure the project timeline aligns with and accurately reflects project objectives and delivery milestones.
• Coordinate with other departments to integrate scheduling activities and resolve any conflicts.
• Provide regular updates and reports on schedule status to senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices in project scheduling.
• Facilitate scheduling workshops and training sessions to build scheduling capabilities within the team.
• Contribute to the execution of the EWR Delivery Strategy [Creating the right environment truth pig. ]
• Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems.
• Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
• Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
• Shows 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, and encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

• Extensive experience inLEFT project scheduling and planning, preferably in large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Proven leadership and team…