Head of Commercial Assurance & Compliance

Head of Commercial Assurance & Compliance

Final date to receive applications: 21 March 2026

Department: Commercial

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Reporting To: Strategy & Assurance Director

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 will 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.

Role

Summary:

This role will develop and implement the EWR Co commercial compliance, risk, and assurance frameworks, ensuring that appropriate policies and systems are in place and adherence to EWR Co and regulatory standards related to commercial activity is monitored and exceptions reported. This role sits within the Commercial Strategy and Assurance team but acts as a standalone position and requires the postholder to be able to act independently whilst maintaining effective and constructive working relationships within the commercial function.

The Head of Commercial Assurance and Compliance will be instrumental in embedding a risk and compliance culture within commercial and contribute to the continuous improvement culture that is being embedded. The role will establish and lead a commercial assurance strategy which should meet the ambitions of the organisation’s strategic priorities.

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.

• Develop and implement comprehensive commercial compliance, risk, and assurance frameworks – aligned to the wider EWR Co risk and assurance frameworks.
• Ensure risk, compliance and assurance reflect commercial best practice and alignment to the Public Procurement Pathway, identifying, incorporating, and communicating changes driven from best practice or government policy.
• Act as the Commercial Risk Champion, maintaining close links with the corporate risk team.
• Deliver the Commercial LoD2 assurance service through in-house and outsourced delivery.
• Identify and manage, including budgetary control, external commercial assurance requirements aligned to EWR Co commercial governance at LoD2 and LoD3 (Commercial Expert Panel).
• Monitor and report on compliance with internal commercial policies and external regulations through a defined compliance process and register.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to manage identified commercial risks, including at procurement, contract, and supplier level.
• Provide expert advice on relevant regulations and issues…