Closing date: 8 February 2023

What is the purpose of this job?

Work with key rail industry stakeholders through the Network Performance Board (NPB) to drive better operations, performance and punctuality of passenger train services throughout the UK Rail Industry.

What can I expect to do in this job?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but things you can expect to be involved with include:

• Work in collaboration with the NPB Network Performance Portfolio Manager and the NPB Exec to deliver the NPB programme and associated activities both centrally and locally on strategic and tactical measures to improve performance
• Drive the programme of performance and operational improvement through Operators, Regions and Routes ensuring committed projects are delivered, assistance with how to implement is provided and any blockages are appropriately escalated for resolution.
• Working in conjunction with the Network Performance Portfolio Manager, prioritise, support and direct where necessary the Network Performance Engagement Managers’ (NPEM) engagement across all Regional and Route Performance Boards
• Provide guidance to industry groups and the NPEMs on the execution of NRAP initiatives, overseeing delivery at different levels in organisations and challenging key stakeholders on areas of under-delivery
• Lead, support and engage relevant NPB sub-groups such as Better Ops Programme Board, Ops Principles Group & Performance & Planning Forum, supporting and guiding industry activity and ensure NPB team visibility/delivery in the sub-groups to optimise performance outputs and support Network Reliability Action Plan (NRAP) delivery
• Work with industry and the Data Analyst to develop a strong evidence-base of the factors that influence rail performance, providing insight to NPB as required
• Engage in key meetings and develop industry partnerships personally and through the NPEMs including, but not limited to:
  • at Regional Performance Boards
  • at Route Performance Boards
  • with RDG and whole network colleagues at NPB Chartered Governance groups
• Support industry activity and commissions on the operational performance impact of incidents and events
• Lead on understanding and developing operational challenges into performance narratives and planning for improvement
• Develop strong working relationships with key industry stakeholders involved in the delivery of operations and performance, including Heads of Performance, Operations Leads and Network Rail equivalents, and Regional/Route/Network Performance Board members
• Work closely with the other members of Head of Operations’ team to ensure that areas of good practice identified, key outputs and learnings from across Industry Operations & Performance are shared across the whole network
• Support the industry in delivering better operations, leading to better outcomes for the railway’s customers and our members.
• Work with the NPEMs to provide NPB Programme Support Officer with inputs from key regional meetings to document progress as required through NPB.
• Work closely with the NPEMs, NPB Steering Group Chairs and RDG colleagues to ensure the provision of updates to the Network Reliability Action Plan (NRAP) for initiatives in this area
• Line management responsibility for the Data Analyst and NPEMs.

Who will my key contacts be?

• Network Rail System Operator
• Network Rail Routes and Regions
• TOCs
• FOCs
• Governments
• ORR
• Transport Focus
• Rail Partners
• RSSB
• RDG staff across all directorates

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

Degree, HND, NVQ 4 qualified or equivalent in relevant subject/relevant formal training, plus some experience in a similar or related role.

Understanding of train service planning, operations and delivery. The postholder will have, or be able to develop rapidly, an in-depth understanding of how train services are planned, developed and operated – and the respective roles of industry stakeholders.

Understanding of how the railway is regulated and funded and the incentive frameworks that apply, as well as the performance elements of specification and contracts for Operators.