Head of Buildings and Stations Architecture

Overview

Oversee design, construction and maintenance of railway buildings and stations.

Key Responsibilities

• safety compliance
• technical guidance
• stakeholder collaboration
• budget management
• team leadership
• design assurance

Tasks

This role will be responsible for overseeing the development of our buildings and stations assets, ensuring the successful conception, design, construction, and maintenance of these assets through the application of subject matter expertise. 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. This role will play a pivotal role in defining and assuring the technical requirements and guidance and oversee the delivery of those to a quality and standard expected of EWR. This role involves strategic planning, resource allocation, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. The Head of Buildings & Station Architecture will act to support the ‘design champion’ for EWR’s built environment, throughout design development and construction. As such the role will have a significant impact on the quality of design and its legacy as an operational railway 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. -Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, quality, and environmental standards and regulations. -Provide technical guidance and support to the engineering team and resolve complex engineering challenges. -Collaborate with other departments, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure integrated project delivery. -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. -Oversee budget management, resource allocation, and project timelines to ensure efficient and effective delivery. -Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. -Accountable for providing assurance and direction for the design and implementation of operational Building and Station assets within the infrastructure system, setting the direction and maintaining discipline technical strategies and standards. -Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles. -Set the strategic direction of the company-wide governing principles for EWR architectural design – including the creation of a EWR aesthetic design idiom. -Provide professional buildings leadership to engineers throughout the company. -Lead and manage the Engineering Specialist – Buildings and Stations Architecture, to convert sponsor requirements into design requirements which can be delivered.

Requirements

• chartered architect
• safety management
• inclusive design
• railway experience
• leadership
• it tools

What You Bring

Exceptional IT tools -A Chartered Architect or member of an appropriate institution -Knowledge of safety management and risk assessment. -Demonstrable experience of the application of inclusive design principles Extensive experience in railway operational buildings and stations, particularly in terms of placemaking within large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably within the railway industry. -A Chartered Architect or member of an appropriate institution A sound knowledge of applicable policies, standards, national and European legislation. -Proven leadership experience with a track record of managing engineering/architecture teams and complex projects. -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.

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Benefits

We are open to secondments through the Rail Industry Talent Exchange Programme. Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution 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 Employee Assistance Programme Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities Enhanced family-friendly policies Competitive base salary Access to a range of benefits on the Perkbox platform Advanced learning and development programmes 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy Life assurance

About East West Railway Company

-Born in 2017 to tackle the long-stalled Varsity Line revival, the company is spearheading the Oxford‑to‑Cambridge rail renaissance. -Operating independent of Network Rail, it unites the roles of developer, constructor and early operator to streamline delivery. -Its funding model blends government backing with industry-first 'Enterprise Partner' arrangements to align construction and operations. -Phased across three connection stages (Oxford→Bletchley/Milton Keynes→Bedford→Cambridge), it stitches key communities into a regional corridor. -Recent works include reconnecting Oxford–Bicester (operational since 2016), Bicester–Bletchley (freight active mid‑2025), and Bedford–Cambridge design. -Typical projects span infrastructure renewal, new track construction, rolling‑stock procurement and community consultations. -Specialist focus ranges from rail systems and civil engineering to stakeholder engagement and enterprise‑level project leadership. -Unusually, it combines asset management, operations and strategic planning under one roof—an integrated, systems‑led approach.

Sector Specialisms