Head of Asset Management and Maintenance

East West Rail Company; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension contributions up to 12%

36 days annual leave (+2 options)

Volunteer days

Life assurance 4x salary

Employee Assistance Programme

Perkbox discounts & wellbeing benefits

Advanced learning & development

Job summary

East West Railway Company is seeking a Head of Asset Management and Maintenance in Milton Keynes. You will lead the asset management and maintainability strategy across the rail project, ensure whole-life performance, and build asset information requirements into design, delivery and handover.

You will establish and lead strategic asset management, engage with regulators, infrastructure owners and stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement across the lifecycle of railway assets.

Qualifications

• Background in asset management and maintenance within large-scale infrastructure or railway projects.
• Experience developing asset management systems and data capture processes.
• Knowledge of best practice ISO 55001 and implementation across major programmes.
• Leadership of asset management strategy within rail or infrastructure programmes.
• Experience collaborating with regulators, infrastructure owners and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Integrate maintainability into design and construction phases for better lifecycle performance.
• Lead engagement with Network Rail, National Highways and utilities to align asset management.
• Develop and implement an asset management system to support lifecycle management.
• Establish data capture protocols for accurate asset information for decision-making.
• Provide technical assurance that designs meet maintainability and safety requirements.
• Lead and continuously improve EWR Co's asset management framework and compliance.

Skills

Asset management leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Asset data systems

ISO 55001 knowledge

Maintainability principles

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Head of Asset Management and Maintenance

Application Deadline: 30 October 2026

Department: Technical

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

A little bit about us East West Rail is an infrastructure programme connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge, a region currently underserved by transport. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change that, improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee delivery of East West Rail, from construction through to services running, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. The programme is projected to deliver a £6.7 billion annual boost to the regional economy by 2050.

Role Summary

As Head of Asset Management and Maintenance, you will establish and lead EWR Co's asset management and maintainability strategy. You will make sure that whole-life asset performance, maintainability, reliability and asset information requirements are built into design, delivery and handover. You will provide strategic leadership for asset management, develop key stakeholder relationships, and ensure alignment with future infrastructure owners and maintainers.

The Technical function owns the specification for the scheme, interpreting the business case and purpose, and translating these into a system requirements set. Its work falls into two broad areas: establishing standards and requirements, and assuring that these are met during both design and delivery. This work spans a number of domains, each requiring specialist technical capability to provide the right level of knowledge, support and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Integrate maintainability into the design and construction phases of the railway, ensuring future maintenance efficiency, whole life cost, and performance, reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (PRAMS) outcomes.
• Lead engagement with Network Rail, National Highways, utility companies and other key stakeholders to develop aligned asset management approaches and collaborative relationships that support successful railway delivery and future operation.
• Develop and implement an asset management system to support the lifecycle management of railway and associated infrastructure assets.
• Establish protocols for data capture and management, so that accurate and comprehensive asset information is available for decision-making.
• Provide technical assurance that designs adequately address maintainability, reliability, availability, safety and asset information requirements, and that supporting asset information processes are effective and fit for operational handover.
• Establish and continuously improve EWR Co's asset management framework, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards and recognised best practice, including ISO 55001 principles.
• Prepare and present reports on asset management performance, maintenance strategies and system effectiveness to senior management and stakeholders.
• Manage, coach and develop your direct reports to support individual growth, leading continuous improvement through regular performance management and compliance with organisational policies.
• Take responsibility for your own and others' health and safety, adopting and working to EWR Co's Health and Safety principles.
• Keep taxpayers' money at the forefront of your decisions, and seek creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision and behaviours, working in line with EWR Co's Ways of Working and encouraging others to do the same.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

You will bring:

• A background in asset management and maintenance within large-scale infrastructure or railway projects, with an understanding of maintainability principles and practices.
• Experience developing and managing asset management systems and data capture processes, including the use of relevant software and technologies.
• Knowledge of asset management industry best practice, including ISO 55001, and experience implementing it across major programmes.
• Leadership of asset management strategy and its implementation within major rail or infrastructure programmes.
• An understanding of asset lifecycle management, maintainability, reliability and performance management principles.
• A record of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and infrastructure owners, to align asset management strategies.
• Experience leading teams and developing organisational capability.

Desirable Criteria

It would also be great if you have:

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders across delivery organisations, infrastructure owners, operators and regulators.
• Membership of the Institute of Asset Management or an equivalent recognised institute, or equivalent experience.

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.

If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.