Train Service Delivery Specialist

Do you have experience of rail operation performance and a good understanding of train service management and with contingency planning?

Are you looking for an opportunity that provides exposure across the rail industry?

If so, the Department for Transport (DfTc) has a unique opportunity and we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Train Service Delivery Specialist to join our Train Service Operations & Performance team. You will support the Train Service Delivery Manager to provide assurance to the Department that train operators are meeting their performance obligations and delivering reliable services to passengers. 

You will have the opportunity to travel around the UK to visit train operators and rail control centres to undertake assessment of the operational performance, control measures and promote collaborative working with Network Rail and other industry users.

This is a fantastic opportunity to utilise your operational performance and planning expertise to appraise operators’ approach to delivering DfT requirements in a way that supports continuous improvement across the industry. You will support DfT commercial and compliance teams to provide expert assessment of performance challenges to facilitate a proportionate and evidence based response to performance concerns. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Specialist review and assessment of technical plans and strategies proposed by DfT-contracted train operators for deliverability and accuracy, including 5-year rolling plans, operational control procedures, seasonal preparedness and fleet performance.

• Representing DfT at industry performance and operations forums including Fleet Challenge Steering Group, ORR performance escalation reviews, and performance challenge meetings.

• Actively encouraging the sharing of good practice across industry and promote an improvement hub with industry partners, including by implementing NR’s approved Performance Improvement Management System (PIMS) or relevant successor. 

• Regular travel across the UK with occasional overnight stays.

• Actively promoting a culture of continuous improvement within own team and wider Directorate.

About you

You have previous experience of the rail operations environment and understand how train companies work.

You have exceptional interpersonal skills and comfortable to represent the Department at regular performance meetings and build long term relationships with the industry. With strong verbal and written communication skills, you confidently communicate complex data clearly and tactfully to a range of technical and non-technical audiences in an authoritative and engaging manner.

You have excellent analytical skills to evaluate large amounts of complex data to develop recommendations and succinct reports to improve outcomes in existing franchises.

You work well autonomously and understand project management tools and techniques to manage multiple operators’ tasks and outcomes.