Project Manager

Project Managers

This is the most exciting time to be joining CrossCountry since the inception of the original franchise in 2007. CrossCountry has recently secured an up to 8-year National Rail Contract (NRC) that will transform the service we provide to our customers across the three nations of the United Kingdom that we are proud to serve in a unique way.

We will create more journey opportunities, more capacity and more connectivity cementing our vision to be a long-distance intercity operator. We will refresh our fleets, increase the size of that fleet and revolutionise our approach to serving our customers.

3 fantastic new opportunities have arisen within the Programme Directorate.

We are recruiting for 2 Project Managers and a Project Manager – New Trains on 18-Month FTC’s.

These roles are in recognition of the scale and criticality of project commitments within the National Rail Contract (NRC) and Annual Business Plan (ABP).

Principal Responsibilities / Accountabilities

• Supporting senior managers with the achievement of project objectives ensuring alignment with DfT contractual obligations and annual business plan initiatives. 

• Oversee the management of project activities ensuring a successful outcome in line with the project mandate and deliverables and that they are completed to the defined contracted scope within the based-lined cost and schedule.

• Planning, tracking and reporting on the performance of projects adhering to the CrossCountry PMO governance requirements. 

• Maintaining frequent and detailed communication with all project team members and wider stakeholders to ensure clarity and collaboration at all times.

• Establishing and maintaining up to date project plans.

• Managing project risks, issues, and dependencies by identifying and implementing affective mitigations.

• Affectively deploy the project change control process and updating the business case to provide continued business justification.

• Establishing stakeholder mapping and communications plans and supporting Union discussions.

• Carrying out project lessons learnt to maximise learning during and after the execution; supporting the implementation of any corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement.

• Maintaining action lists and ensuring they are allocated appropriately and are closed out to time.

• Be seen as part of the project management and continuous improvement centre of excellence within the business; providing mentoring and support and sharing best practice to other less experienced Project Managers as required.

 In addition to the above, the Project Manager – New Trains will also;

• Develop a plan to build the business case leading into a longer-term plan for approval and new train delivery, identifying gaps where external support is required including:

  • Options for bi-mode / tri-mode fleets

  • Options for makeup between Voyager and Turbostar replacement

  • Timetable options

  • Maintenance options

Ideally your application should demonstrate the following areas:

Experience, Knowledge, Qualifications & Training

• Education to the degree level or demonstration of equivalent capability.

• Proven leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; Strong evidence of building exceptional working relationships internally and externally.

• Demonstrable experience in managing and delivering strategic projects in line with industry best practise using standard project lifecycle governance and tools.

• Knowledge and understanding of railway operations and the railway industry structure would be desirable but not essential.

• Proven ability to make rational, realistic, and sound decisions based upon analysis of the full facts and consideration of different options and outcomes.

• Experience of influencing and leading across a matrix organisation structure.

• PRINCE 2 and/or APM certification.

• Fully conversant and proficient with all Microsoft Office suite of programs including MS Project.

• Able to adopt the health and safety responsibilities assumed by the role.

The team is based at Cannon House, Birmingham and the role will involve work across the CrossCountry network.

Arriva is committed to Diversity. If you’re good, you’re welcome