West Coast Partnership Development is a trusted partner of the Department for Transport (DfT) who are working towards creating and implementing the operations for High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2). Working to design, develop and mobilise the high-speed service operations which will deliver benefits including more capacity, quicker journey times and a step-change in customer experience.

We would like to present an exciting opportunity to join the WCPD PMO & Transitional Programme team as a Head of Transition.

The Head of Transition is responsible for developing and delivering a programme of strategic change to be ready for the launch of high speed and integrated services. Externally, they will collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including the Department for Transport and the HS2 IM to ensure there is consensus on, and delivery of everything that needs to be in place to launch services and deliver the end state.

Alongside the external alignment, the Head of Transition will also be responsible for the internal development and delivery of the Transitional Programme to take WCPD from the Design Phase, where we are advising on future requirements, through to being the operator of services.

All of this will need to be delivered through a rapidly expanding team. The Head of Transition will play a key role in defining and growing a team to cover the wider needs of transition and deliver high quality outcomes in a complex and uncertain context.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

*       To be responsible for successful engagement, consensus building and negotiation with key stakeholders including HS2 Ltd and Network Rail, ensuring the WCPD is able to deliver its elements of the transition programme, and that it supports and challenges other stakeholders to deliver theirs.

*       To support and/or lead the development of projects to deliver the Transition Programme Specific Requirements and ensure that projects and programmes are in place to deliver all Transition Programme Specific Requirements.

*       Work with WCP colleagues to ensure that all WCPD recommendations, scopes, report and outputs support transition and take full account of the needs of the Transitional Programme; and ensure effective integration of all existing workstreams into transition.

*       Responsible for development of a pragmatic agreement with the Department for Transport on working arrangement and contract management approaches that will enable the agile and flexible delivery of transition.

*       Liaise with various stakeholders such as DfT, Network Rail, ORR, and others as appropriate.

*       Work closely with the WCPD and Avanti West Coast executive teams to develop consensus and alignment on plans for integrated operations.

*       Develop strong and collaborative relationships with Avanti, HS2 Ltd, DfT, Network Rail, private Industries, and other Stakeholders.

*       Represent WCP at cross industry and engineering forums and meetings, supporting closer integration between track and train.

Ensuring productive, effective and efficient relationships with key stakeholders including:

*       WCP colleagues

*       WCPD and Avanti Directors

*       HS2 Ltd and Network Rail (NR), including up to Director level

*       Department for Transport (DfT) policy, finance, and commercial team.

*       Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR)

*       Representatives of other train operating companies (TOCs)

*       Stakeholder Groups across all workstreams.

The role is based in London and with the requirement for some travel on our network at times. The expectation will be a minimum of 3 days per week in the office. 

Salary is circa £90,000 per annum depending on skills & experience.

West Coast Partnership Development

West Coast Partnership comprises two distinct parts – Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership Development. Avanti West Coast runs the InterCity West Coast train services from London to north England, north Wales and Scotland. 

Our work in WCPD is focused on developing plans for what the new high-speed services will look like (customer experience), how they will work (railway operations) and how we will start running new services and trains (mobilisation). Over the next 10 years we will develop and implement a programme (HS2 Ltd are building the new railway and associated infrastructure).

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/a-pioneering-partnership 

Your application

At WCPD, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! We recognise the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation. 

Everyone who joins us becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that we are expansive and a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use!