Land and Property Programme Manager

Land and Property Programme Manager

Final date to receive applications: 10 August 2026

Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

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 improve prosperity for people and places across the corridor.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was established by the Department for Transport to oversee delivery from construction through to operation, ensuring the railway comes together in the right way for the communities it serves.

East West Rail is backed by the Government as a key driver of economic growth, with the potential to deliver a £78 billion boost to the UK economy by supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.

We are committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that means nurturing a diverse team that reflects the UK communities we serve. Our approach is straightforward: to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves.

The Programme Manager is a key role within the Land & Property team, reporting to the Head of Land and Property, responsible for securing all land required for the EWR project and supporting successful delivery of the Development Consent Order (DCO).

• Developing and managing delivery of an integrated Land and Property programme to secure the Development Consent Order and support delivery of the project.
• Coordinating and integrating delivery of governance, assurance, and management of risk and opportunities across land and property work streams.
• Managing governance, risk, suppliers, and programme integration on behalf of EWR as an intelligent client.

The Programme Manager leads a team of project managers and technical specialists in land referencing, land access, and assembly, with strategic oversight and assurance of external land and property suppliers, including their strategies, forecasts, risk assessments, data quality, performance, and consistency of approach across the programme. This includes chairing structured programme review meetings with external advisors to monitor performance, review emerging risks, and ensure alignment with programme objectives and governance requirements, together with close liaison with other EWR teams and oversight of external relations with landowners, their representatives, and statutory bodies.

The Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs function defines what EWR Co is and the impact it will deliver, secures the approvals required to deliver the scheme, holds the Development Consent Order submission (including statutory consultation), and builds the business case, holding design and delivery to account to realise the intended economic benefits. Within this function, the Land and Property team acts as an intelligent, informed integrated team, using a network of third-party strategic suppliers to bring the capabilities required to deliver the land needed to construct and operate the project

• Lead and manage a team of project managers and technical specialists, providing strategic direction, oversight, and integration assurance for cohesive, compliant project delivery, and facilitating effective communication and coordination with suppliers to ensure cohesive integration of deliverables and milestones.
• Develop and deliver effective land and property strategies and plans to support a successful DCO application and delivery of the project, including preparation for the DCO examination process such as evidence and resourcing plans.
• Develop and oversee processes for governance, assurance, and management of risks and opportunities for land and property work streams.
• Support project managers and technical specialists to design and deliver a solution aligned to a central approach, to successfully acquire the land and property required to construct, commission, and operate the railway.
• Monitor programme progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to address…