The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for improving journeys, enabling economic growth and creating a safer, more sustainable and integrated transport system. With one of the largest and most complex capital portfolios in Government, DfT works through major delivery partners to deliver transformational infrastructure and public service outcomes across the UK.

The Rail Group is leading a once-in-a-generation transformation of Britain's railway. Responsible for delivering the Government's vision of a more unified and simplified rail system, the Group is driving major reform, including the creation of Great British Railways and the transition of rail services into public ownership. Alongside sector reform, the Rail Group oversees nationally significant investment programmes that will improve passenger outcomes, deliver better value for taxpayers and support long-term economic growth.

East West Rail is one of the UK's most significant infrastructure and growth programmes. Connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, it will unlock housing, jobs, innovation and sustainable economic growth across one of the country's most important economic corridors. As the Department for Transport's Senior Responsible Owner for the programme, the Director of East West Rail will lead the Government's sponsorship of a multi-billion-pound investment that will shape communities and economic prosperity for generations.

The Director of East West Rail will act as the Department's Senior Responsible Owner for East West Rail. You will provide strategic leadership for the programme, ensuring confidence in its affordability, delivery, benefits realisation and value for money. Working across Government, industry and regional stakeholders, you will lead relationships with Ministers, HM Treasury, delivery partners, local leaders and communities, bringing clarity, credibility and assurance to one of the UK's most high-profile infrastructure programmes. You will also contribute to the wider leadership of Rail Group and help shape the future direction of the Department's rail agenda.

We are seeking an exceptional and visible leader with a track record of operating at scale within complex infrastructure, transport, programme or transformation environments. You will bring experience of providing strategic sponsorship, leading through influence and delivering successful outcomes across multiple organisations and stakeholders. Strong commercial and analytical judgement, experience of overseeing significant public investment and the ability to build confidence with Boards, senior stakeholders, and partners will be essential. Equally important is your ability to lead high-performing teams, navigate ambiguity and sustain delivery within highly scrutinised environments.

This is a unique opportunity to provide strategic sponsorship and leadership for one of the UK's most significant transport and growth programmes. If you have the judgement, influence and stakeholder leadership skills to act as an intelligent client, shape investment decisions and build confidence across government, industry and communities, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. We are continuing to build a diverse DfT, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
23:55 on Sunday 13 September 2026

Long listing
Week commencing 21 September 2026

Preliminary interviews
Weeks commencing 21 and 28 September 2026

Short listing
Monday 5 October 2026

Assessment
Weeks commencing 5 and 12 October 2026

Final panel
Week commencing 19 October 2026

How to apply

To apply for this post, please submit the following no later than 23:55 on Sunday 13 September 2026 :

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Your CV should be no longer than two A4 pages at font size 12.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'.

All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel.

Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with us via devon.coates-leaning@gatenbysanderson.com

Your application will be acknowledged when it is received.

For a confidential discussion to help inform your application, please contact our recruitment advisors at Gatenby Sanderson:

Senior Researcher, Khadeeja Khalid | E: Khadeeja.Khalid@gatenbysanderson.com

Associate Consultant, Olivia Robinson | E: Olivia.Robinson@gatenbysanderson.com