West Coast Partnership Development is the trusted partner of the Department for Transport (DfT) who are working towards creating and implementing the operations for High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2). We are 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 are excited to present an opportunity to join the rolling stock team as the Head of Fleet Technical.

The rolling stock team is responsible for working closely with HS2 and the train manufacturer on the new high speed rolling stock that will operate high-speed services, ensuring the design meets our needs as an operator and supports our customer experience vision. Alongside our work on the high-speed fleet, we will develop the wider fleet strategy for integrated services. Our work also includes planning the maintenance servicing and cleaning arrangements to support the fleets.

The Head of Fleet Technical will build on the rolling stock procurement undertaken by HS2 and play a leading role in the delivery of the new high-speed rolling stock, ensuring it meets the needs of the future operator. This role will provide technical expertise, leading from an operator's perspective, on the design, manufacture, testing, commissioning and putting into use of the new rolling stock. The Head of Fleet Technical will support the development of all associated strategies, including depots, servicing, and cleaning to enable new trains to be brought into service. They will manage relationships with stakeholders and collaborate with them to achieve the rolling stock and depot outcomes required to deliver our needs as an operator and to support the customer experience vision.

The key accountabilities are:

*       Lead WCPD’s engagement with HS2 Ltd and the train manufacturer on the design, testing and construction of the high-speed rolling stock.

*       Ensure the strategies and plans developed for the customer vision and operations ambition are delivered through the rolling stock design.

*       Support WCPD and HS2 Ltd for the maintenance & servicing strategy.

*       Support WCPD’s development of the wider rolling stock fleet strategy for integrated services: managing stakeholder expectations, providing advice and analysis on fleet strategic options and recommendations.

*       Support the analysis and modelling of rolling stock costs to support optioneering.

*       Support WCPD involvement collaborating with HS2 Ltd in any rolling stock discussions with the train manufacturer.

*       Provide specialist input (from the rolling stock technical perspective) to wider WCPD activity.

*       Lead sustainability workstream across the WCPD business developing our strategy for integrated Services.

*       Lead collaboration from WCPD colleagues supporting HS2 Ltd within a wider project team to deliver a series of workstreams within the wider programme portfolio.

*       Motivate, coach and support team members to maximise their performance, and potential. Lead others to solve problems and encourage innovative thinking.

We are looking for someone who has:

*       Detailed technical understanding of rolling stock and depot arrangements, interfaces with railway infrastructure, operational staff, and passengers.

*       Appreciation of the issues associated with complex multi stakeholder environments with an understanding of how to manage successful outcomes in such environments.

*       Detailed knowledge of technical fleet matters around design, construction, testing, commissioning and operation.

*       Strong knowledge of engineering risk assessment and change management.

*       Good knowledge of the principles of “safe by design”, and of the need to ensure that the rolling stock is safe in operation for customers and staff.

*       Significant knowledge of the commercial, contractual, and legal frameworks affecting rail industry.

*       Understanding of customer experience requirements and the conversion of these into train design specification. Experience to identify and help resolve arising issues to ensure customer needs shape the fleet.

*       Recent experience of how life-cycle costs are modelled including typical costs of fleet operation, traction energy, maintenance, and overhaul.

*       Detailed knowledge of the rolling stock manufacturer, maintainer, and owner industries.

More information and full details of the role are available in the role profile attached.

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

Salary: competitive package 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).

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!