Senior Economic Development Lead — Growth Corridor

East West Rail Company; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension up to 12%

36 days annual leave (+ buy extra days

Volunteer days

Family‑friendly policies

Life assurance 4x salary

Employee Assistance Programme

Perkbox access

Recognition programme

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

East West Rail Company is seeking a Senior Economic Development Manager to lead the organisation’s economic development programme, spanning strategy, research, stakeholder engagement and programme management. The role collaborates with the Head of Economic Development to deliver place‑based growth and corridor‑scale initiatives.

You will work across government and local partners, shaping the Development Consent Order process and informing station design with the economy and communities in mind.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of cross‑organisational partnership working with evidenced outcomes.
• Proven track record of leading and managing a programme from inception to delivery and close‑out.
• Experience in economic development—including analysis and strategy—preferably within an infrastructure context.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with government partners and local stakeholders.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and local scales, bridging corridor‑level policy and place‑based delivery.
• Strong analytic and communication skills to navigate complex technical and stakeholder issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the economic development programme across five interconnected work areas.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional stakeholders, connecting growth aspirations to the Development Consent Order process.
• Work with Sponsors and design teams to ensure growth opportunities inform station design and wider integration decisions.
• Strengthen the programme business case by identifying and evidencing economic development impact.
• Advocate internally for embedding growth objectives across East West Rail Co and its work.

Skills

Cross‑organisational partnerships

Programme leadership

Economic development

Stakeholder relationships

Strategic and local delivery

Analytical & communication skills

Job description

East West Rail Company is seeking a Senior Economic Development Manager to lead the organisation’s economic development programme, spanning strategy, research, stakeholder engagement and programme management. The role collaborates with the Head of Economic Development to deliver place‑based growth and corridor‑scale initiatives.

You will work across government and local partners, shaping the Development Consent Order process and informing station design with the economy and communities in mind.