Procurement Director – East West Rail

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Job Title: Engineering, Technical and Safety Executive Director
Level: L1
Employer; East West Railway Company
Location: Milton Keynes
Basis: Permanent
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 accountable for leading the functional area in which all engineering, technical and safety disciplines will reside, including programme engineering, systems engineering, and health and safety experts. The technical experts in this professional community will be in both the physical and the digital, supporting system integration, as well as providing subjectmatter expertise in specific disciplines, such as civil engineering, station design, railway systems engineering, systems safety, and health and safety legislation. Much of the design and engineering work that will be undertaken for EWR Co will be delivered by Technical Partners in the near term and by contractors in
future. At its core, the technical function will ensure that design and delivery meet the required engineering standards. But it must also play a key role to play in challenging standards and designs to improve value for money  without compromising on safety.Network Rail will be the overall ‘Technical Authority’ for EWR Co, and therefore the Engineering, Technical and Safety Executive Director will be expected to build and maintain a close working relationship with Network Rail counterparts. This will involve creating an efficient assurance process to ensure that design and delivery standards are being met, alongside Sponsors requirements which enable the business case objectives to be delivered.Function: The technical function owns the specification for the scheme, interpreting the business case and purpose and translating this into a system requirements set. Activities fall broadly into two categories – establishing
standards and requirements, and assuring these are being met during both design and delivery. These activities take place across a number of domains, each requiring different technical specialist capabilities to provide a suitable level of knowledge, support, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

  • As a member of the Executive team, hold ‘cabinet’ level responsibilities to ensure the delivery of the agreed EWR programmes and projects to time, cost and quality.
  • As the Engineering, Technical and Safety Executive Director, ensure that your ‘Heads of’ are suitably capable to lead their respective teams, that the organisation structures are appropriate based on the forecast demand for their capabilities, that the professional capabilities are consistent and to a high standard across the teams, and that
    performance management and professional development are core to the
    operations of the function.
  • As the representative of the engineering, technical and safety community in the Executive team, ensure that the voice of that community is included in all strategic and tactical decisions.
  • Take responsibility for your own and others’ health and by adopting and working to the EWR Co. Health and Safety principles.
  • Represent the Engineering, Technical and Safety activities in interactions with the Board and Department for Transport.
  • The teams will be responsible for delivering the following activities: Driving and supporting EWR Co leadership, in development and implementation of a strong behavioural Health and Safety culture for the EWR project
  • Ensuring EWR are managing and monitoring the Health and Safety Management System and improving Health and Safety Processes for EWR staff.
  • Further development of processes, definition of system
    requirements and management of associated data related to all technical aspects of the railway
  • The development of processes, definition of system requirements and management of associated data related to all technical aspects of the railway.
  • The development and implementation of policies and standards for all aspects of the railway are in place (track, civils, signalling, electrical, rolling stock, station systems, environmental, etc).
  • Compliance with Engineering policies and standards and safety requirements including ensuring that appropriate design review and approval processes are in place.
  • Compliance with all relevant Engineering, Technical and Safety legislation.
  • The integration of the infrastructure and systems across the EWR scheme and with the network controlled by Network Rail.
  • Developing and implementing systems engineering policies and practices.
  • Developing and applying asset management and maintenance strategies.
  • Establishing asset information standards, processes, and systems to be adhered to by EWR Co. and external parties.
  • Providing the necessary technical inputs to the development of
    required business cases.
  • 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, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

  • Demonstrable experience, at a senior level, of delivering engineering solutions within a complex technical environment.
  • Demonstrable experience of overseeing Health and Safety at a senior level.
  • Awareness of Health and Safety Legislation.
  • Experience of supporting both design and delivery phases of new railway infrastructure.
  • Detailed knowledge of Network Rail’s engineering standards.
  • The ability to lead and motivate professionals from multiple disciplines, to build and maintain high quality service results, setting a collaborative culture, building capability, and creating an environment of continuous learning.
  • Proven influencing skills, including negotiating and facilitating joint decision making with colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Experience of resolving and escalating risks, issues and conflicts as necessary.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of best practice in an engineering, safety and technical environment across the asset lifecycle.
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of large scale and technically complex projects, commercial issues, legal aspects, Health and Safety financial control and procurement processes and techniques.
  • Knowledge of asset management processes and techniques.
  • Excellent communication, relationship management and presentation skills.
  • Strong leadership, people, and team management skills.
  • The ability to work within a complex stakeholder environment.
  • Experience of leading or delivering similar functions in non-UK railways or other safety critical infrastructure.
Education and qualifications: 
  • Chartered engineer or equivalent.
  • Masters or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of engineering or equivalent business experience.

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary
  • Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
  • 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy
  • Life assurance
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies
  • On-the-spot and annual awards
  • Advanced learning and development programmes
  • Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities
  • Enhanced family-friendly policies
  • Exceptional IT tools

EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives.  EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style

Diversity and Inclusion:

To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.

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

About East West Rail

East West Railway Company is a new and exciting venture at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway.

To apply please click ‘Enquire Now’ below

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