This role can be based in either Birmingham or London (with extensive travel on the network)

We are seeking an Engineering & Infrastructure Director to lead a critical directorate at the heart of our operation. This is a pivotal executive role, responsible for shaping and delivering engineering, infrastructure, and property strategies that ensure a safe, reliable, and high-quality service for our customers.

As a key member of the Executive Team, you will play a central role in driving performance, influencing strategic direction, and ensuring the successful delivery of major projects and fleet commitments across the business.

 Key Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and coordinate the Engineering & Infrastructure directorate, covering: Rolling stock engineering, Property and estates, Contract management and Project management

• Oversee fleet, property, station development, station access, and project teams to ensure operational excellence and delivery success

• Direct and deliver complex station and infrastructure projects, including mobilisation of teams for third-party initiatives

• Manage major commercial contracts, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales and budgets while maintaining strong supplier relationships

• Collaborate with key stakeholders including the Department for Transport / DFTO and Network Rail to deliver joint objectives

• Establish and lead a centre of excellence for project and change management, embedding best practice and behavioural change

• Define and implement strategic supplier management frameworks that deliver value and protect the business

• Lead performance reporting and continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and infrastructure functions

About You

 You are a strategic and commercially astute leader with significant experience in engineering and infrastructure within a complex, regulated environment. You bring:

• Proven executive leadership experience in transport, infrastructure, or a similarly complex sector

• Strong track record of delivering large-scale projects and managing high-value contracts

• Deep understanding of rail (or comparable) safety, regulatory, and operational frameworks

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging government bodies and industry partners

• The ability to lead through complexity, inspire high-performing teams, and drive organisational change

• A commitment to safety, performance, and continuous improvement

What’s In It for You?

• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

• Free Travel on Avanti West Coast for you and your family

• 75% Off Leisure Travel with other train operators

• 30 Days Holiday, increasing to 37 with service (including bank holidays)

• 10 Free Journeys with other FirstGroup train services

Be You. With Us. 

At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.

 We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.

We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.