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Head of Rail Delivery

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint a Head of Rail Delivery to join our Capital Delivery Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of one of the UK's most ambitious regional rail investment programmes, helping to shape a modern, integrated and sustainable transport network across the West of England.

Reporting to the Director of Transport Programmes you will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of complex rail programmes and projects, ensuring the successful delivery of infrastructure investments that support economic growth, improve connectivity and create more inclusive communities. With a portfolio valued at over £430 million, you will oversee the nationally recognised MetroWest rail programme, including the design, delivery and opening of five new railway stations, the introduction of passenger services on the Portishead Line, where passenger trains have not operated for over 60 years, and the reintroduction of passenger services on the Henbury Line. You will also oversee the delivery of step-free access at Lawrence Hill Station, improving accessibility and making the railway more inclusive for passengers. Alongside this, the Combined Authority has a substantial pipeline of future rail schemes that are expected to transition into delivery over the coming years.

Rail investment is one of the Mayor's key priorities, making this a high-profile leadership role with significant strategic influence. As the rail industry prepares for the transition to Great British Railways, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening and further developing the Combined Authority's partnerships with the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Great Western Railway and the wider rail industry, ensuring the region is well positioned to secure future investment and influence national rail policy.

You will be joining a high-performing Rail Delivery team with a strong recent track record of success. Since 2023, the team has successfully delivered two new railway stations, with a third station planned to open by the end of 2026, demonstrating our ability to turn ambitious plans into successful operational infrastructure.

As Head of Rail Delivery, you will bring significant experience of leading large-scale rail infrastructure programmes, managing complex stakeholder relationships and navigating governance and funding arrangements.

This is a critical time in our transformation and growth journey, and you'll be pivotal in helping us achieve our ambitions by:

• Supporting the delivery of the Mayor's transport priorities and strategic investment programme.
• Leading a high-performing team responsible for delivering complex rail projects from development through construction and into operation.
• Ensuring robust governance, risk management and programme controls are embedded across all projects.
• Delivering programme milestones to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Providing strategic leadership, expert advice and assurance to senior leaders, elected members, government departments and industry partners.

What you'll be doing

Are you someone who can lead high-value infrastructure programmes, build effective strategic partnerships and consistently deliver successful outcomes and lasting public benefit?

You will:

• Direct the development and delivery of the Combined Authority's rail infrastructure programmes and projects.
• Act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for rail projects that progress into the delivery programme, ensuring successful outcomes across the region.
• Lead the delivery of the MetroWest programme while preparing the next generation of rail investment schemes for construction.
• Oversee the procurement, commissioning and management of specialist technical resources, consultants, designers and contractors.
• Work collaboratively with Programme Management Office colleagues to develop robust schedules, cost plans, reporting mechanisms and assurance processes.
• Provide strategic oversight and management of delivery partners and supply chains to achieve agreed cost, quality and programme outcomes.
• Lead engagement with the Department for Transport, Network Rail, train operating companies, freight operators, Great British Railways transition partners and other key stakeholders.
• Play a leading role in developing the Combined Authority's strategic relationships with the rail industry, positioning the region to influence future investment opportunities and reforms associated with Great British Railways.
• Support the development and delivery of the region's wider transport strategy and deputise for the Director of Transport Programmes when required.
• Ensure projects and programmes deliver their planned benefits, outcomes and value for money.

What you'll bring

You will be an accomplished infrastructure delivery leader with a proven track record of successfully managing complex rail programmes in high-profile and politically sensitive environments.

We're particularly interested in people who:

• Have significant experience delivering large-scale rail infrastructure programmes and projects with substantial capital values.
• Have strong commercial awareness, with experience of managing complex contracts and working collaboratively with delivery partners to achieve successful commercial outcomes.
• Have a strong understanding of programme governance, business case development, assurance processes and project controls.
• Are confident influencing, negotiating and building productive relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry and partner organisations.
• Can provide inspirational leadership to multidisciplinary teams while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.

Why choose us?

You'll play a leading role in delivering one of the country's most significant regional rail investment programmes at a time of unprecedented change within the rail industry. You'll help shape the future of rail travel in the West of England, delivering projects that will transform connectivity, support sustainable growth and leave a lasting legacy for communities across the region.

Working closely with the Mayor, senior leaders, government departments and industry partners, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future direction of rail investment locally and nationally while leading a portfolio of projects that will improve the lives of thousands of people every day.

For more information about our vision and ambitious rail programme, please visit the link below:

Rail - West of England Combined Authority

If you would like an informal discussion regarding the role please contact david.jarman@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Our offer

We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference to the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
• 2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).

• Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We follow a hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £81,798 - £89,415. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

Good Employment Charter
https://www.goodemploymentcharter.co.uk/
As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

As part of our commitment to fair and inclusive recruitment, we provide interview questions to all shortlisted candidates in advance/on request. This approach helps ensure everyone can demonstrate their skills, knowledge and experience fully, and supports our duties under the Equality Act 2010. You will also be asked follow-up questions during the interview to explore your responses in more detail.

Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Closing dates
Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.