Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Train Planning team to create innovative timetables and resource plans.
- Company: CrossCountry, a leader in the UK rail industry with a focus on customer experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving train services and enhancing customer journeys.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and previous train-planning experience required.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion while driving innovation in a dynamic team.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
The CrossCountry timetable is at the core of the offer we make to our customers and is hugely important to our business. In this role you will play an integral part in our Train Planning team, which produces the timetable, rolling stock and traincrew diagrams. A vacancy has arisen in the team for a Train Planning & Diagramming Specialist. Responsible for delivering our plans, the successful applicant will work on planning our short‑term timetables around engineering work and special events, and develop our plans for how we resource our timetables with both traincrew and rolling stock.
The position will suit someone who has the personality and confidence to further develop existing skills within this specialist area. Previous train‑planning experience is essential. It will also be equally important that you bring a new perspective to the team and demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and change.
Confidence in your ability to develop your competence in industry IT systems to a high standard is essential, and it’s important that you can show how you would use data and information effectively to make rational decisions. With our operation spanning the length and breadth of the country, you will need to liaise effectively with Network Rail and other train operators in preparation of our timetable to meet business objectives and maintain industry timescales.
You must be able to build relationships with colleagues and other departments within our business to ensure the plans that are developed are robust, resourceable and ultimately deliver the journeys that CrossCountry’s customers require.
To be successful in this role you must clearly demonstrate on your application form the following skills and experience:
- An understanding of the UK rail industry and previous train‑planning experience
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience)
- Experienced in maintaining excellent attention to detail, working in an analytical way using evidence and data and meeting deadlines
- Equipped with excellent IT skills and an ability to learn how to use new systems
- A drive to improve processes to implement faster, smarter and more accurate ways of working
More importantly you must be able to bring in new ideas, be willing to question the ‘norm’ and implement improvements so we effectively respond to our customer needs.
Closing date for applications is 21st January 2026. We acknowledge the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents and cultures. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of our talent strategy. The creation of a diverse, inclusive workforce is central to our ability to unlock potential and enhance our success.
Train Planning and Diagramming Specialist in Birmingham employer: Arriva Group
Contact Detail:
Arriva Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Train Planning and Diagramming Specialist in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the rail industry, especially those who work in train planning. Use LinkedIn or industry events to connect and chat about their experiences. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can give you insider tips!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a networking event or an interview, be ready to discuss your previous train-planning experience. Bring examples of how you've used data to make decisions and improved processes in your past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! We love seeing applications that come directly from our site. It shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team and helps us keep track of your application more easily.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to think outside the box! In interviews, be ready to share innovative ideas on how to improve train planning processes. Show us that you’re not afraid to question the status quo and bring fresh perspectives to the table.
We think you need these skills to ace Train Planning and Diagramming Specialist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Train Planning Experience: Make sure to highlight your previous train-planning experience in your application. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges before and what skills you bring to the table that can help us improve our timetables.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves making decisions based on data, don’t forget to mention your analytical skills. Share examples of how you've used data effectively in past roles to drive decisions or improvements. We love a good data story!
Demonstrate Your IT Skills: We’re looking for someone who’s comfortable with industry IT systems. In your application, let us know about your tech-savviness and any specific systems you’ve worked with. If you’ve learned new systems quickly, we want to hear about it!
Bring Your Unique Perspective: We value fresh ideas and innovation! Use your application to showcase how you can challenge the status quo and suggest improvements. We’re excited to see how you can contribute to making our processes faster and smarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the UK rail industry and train planning. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the sector. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data and evidence in your previous roles. Think of specific examples where your analytical skills led to successful outcomes. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to make rational decisions based on data, which is a key part of the job.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
The company is looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table. Think about past experiences where you challenged the status quo or implemented improvements. Be prepared to share these examples and explain how they could apply to the role of Train Planning & Diagramming Specialist.
✨Build Relationships
Since you'll be liaising with various departments and external partners, think about how you've successfully built relationships in the past. Prepare to discuss your communication style and how you ensure collaboration across teams. This will highlight your ability to work effectively within a diverse environment.
