Strategy & Transition Director WCPD
- Posted 30 October 2024
- Salary Competitive package depending on skills & experience
- Job type Permanent - Full Time
- Reference031172
- Job FunctionHeadquarters
- Contact NameDiego Fuentes
Job description
We are West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) - a Shadow Operator - we work with the Department for Transport (DfT) and High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2) to design, develop and operate future high speed and conventional rail services, deploying First's extensive UK rail experience and Trenitalia's unrivalled experience of building and operating over 1,000km of high-speed rail in Italy. Design and development will be managed through an evolving programme of consultancy-based activity overseen by DfT.
We believe that HS2 should be the best travel experience in Britain. One that is easy comfortable and impressive. We’ll do this by keeping things simple, removing sources of stress, and prioritising our customers. Our goal is to maximise the benefits of high-speed services for all and to be a trusted and flexible partner for DfT and HS2
This is an exciting opportunity to join the WCPD team as the Strategy & Transition Director
Purpose of the role
* The Strategy and Transition Director is accountable for leading the business through a programme of strategic change to be ready for the launch of high speed and integrated services. Externally, they will collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including the Department for Transport and the HS2 IM to ensure there is consensus on, and delivery of everything that needs to be in place to deliver the end state.
* Alongside the external alignment, the Strategy and Transition Director will also lead the internal development and delivery of the Transitional Programme to take WCPD from the Design Phase, where we are advising on future requirements, through to being the operator of services.
* The Strategy and Transition Director will also be accountable for WCPD’s strategic planning cycle, delivering the Annual Business Plan within the wider context of a long-term Integrated Plan.
* All of this will need to be delivered through a rapidly expanding team. The core of the Strategic Planning team is in place, but this will need to be developed to cover the wider needs of transition, and the new and bigger team will need to be established and led to deliver high quality outcomes in a complex and uncertain context.
* They will also build an engaging common purpose with all WCP and Avanti colleagues, investing in skills and equipping both the business and the rail industry for a sustainable future
Top 10 Responsibilities
1. To establish, lead and maintain a high functioning Strategic Planning and Transition team that supports the delivery of the WCPD end state, ensuring the team meets current needs efficiently and resiliently and is effectively right sized in anticipation of future requirements. Accountable for the performance and development of the Strategic Planning and Transition team.
2. To lead the development and evolution of the WCPD strategy and the overall strategic approach to delivering WCPD objectives.
3. To lead the development, costing and delivery of the Transition Plan and Transitional Programme that will take WCPD from the design phase through to the start of integrated operations.
4. To lead the Annual Business Planning cycle, ensuring the Annual Business Plan gives an accurate, resilient and fully costed delivery plan and mitigates any risk to the business.
5. To be accountable for successful integrated planning with key stakeholders including HS2 Ltd and Network Rail.
6. With WCP colleagues support the development of projects to deliver the Transition Programme Specific Requirements
7. With WCP colleagues ensure that Accepted Programme recommendations, Scopes, Initial Outputs Reports and Final Output reports support transition and take full account of the needs of the Transitional Programme
8. Lead the agreement with the Department for Transport on working arrangement and contract management approaches that will enable the delivery of transition.
9. Liaise with various stakeholders such as DfT, Network Rail, ORR, and others as appropriate.
10. Effectively plan the provision of recommendations and proposals to the Secretary of State, ensuring value for money and delivery to agreed time, cost, and quality,
For further information see
The role is based in London (338 Euston Road) and some travel on our network will be required at times.
The expectation will be an average of 3 days per week in the office.
Salary: competitive package depending on skills & experience.
WCP - A Pioneering Partnership
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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!