Role Purpose
The purpose of this role is to ensure detailed operational plans are developed and deployed in line with the requirements of the proposed industry change programmes that will deliver sustainable growth.
This role is not about day-to-day operational management. Instead, it focuses on shaping the necessary systems, people, and infrastructure to enable the deployment of new operational plans.
The role will need to work extensively across all internal functions to ensure alignment and a robust delivery plan is in place.
Key Accountabilities
- Operational Requirements & Long-term Planning
- Develop operational plans aligned to business objectives and future passenger demand (industry programme proposals or future service aspirations)
- Develop or identify the associated operational readiness change activities required to implement strategies or operational change
- Lead internal operations collaboration between (but not exclusively) Control, Stations, Traincrew, Performance and Train Planning functions
- Represent operations for cross functional collaboration between Engineering, Commercial, Stations and Network Rail where appropriate.
- Ensure operations are aligned with Chiltern’s strategic goals, sustainability commitments, and customer experience ambitions.
- Workforce Strategy & Capability Development Across Control, Traincrew, and Performance: Understand or propose overall resourcing plans to support the operational plans and change requirements
- Identify associated business change processes
- Project Reporting For each industry programme, ensure that for operations appropriate PM controls are in place: Governance Risk, Actions, Issues, Decisions
- Stakeholder Engagement & Industry Collaboration Work closely with Network Rail, DfT, and industry partners to shape future operational interfaces
- Represent Chiltern in cross industry working groups, and future projects forums
- Safety, Assurance & Compliance Ensure future operations changes comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice
Person Specification
The job demands the following blend of experience/knowledge, skills and behaviours (all are essential, unless otherwise shown and will be assessed by application and/or interview/assessment):
Experience of working as a Operations professional within rail or similar operationally complex industry
Detailed knowledge of rail resourcing/ traincrew management policies and practices including the RDG KPI framework
Experience of working or good knowledge of Integrated Control Centre systems and processes
Experience of leading and influencing new initiatives and rolling out new ways of working
Good knowledge and understanding of Operations policies and processes
Good technical knowledge of change management models and theories
Experience of conducing diagnosis, analysing findings, generating options and building commitment to solutions
Degree or equivalent with significant post qualification experience
Skills/Behaviours Strong interpersonal, communications, influencing and negotiating skills
Ability to establish rapport and credibility at all levels within the organisation
Proactive and flexible
Pragmatic in approach
Strong presentation, data interpretation and report writing skills
Demonstrates strong commercial/business led approach to problem solving
Able to travel across network to our different locations
Willing to support and engage with colleagues through ‘frontline days’