At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver exciting commercial projects in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Avanti West Coast, a diverse and inclusive team.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous holiday, and a final salary pension.
- Other info: Embrace your individuality and thrive in a supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to deliver key Avanti commercial projects and customer-focused initiatives. Experience in rail or transport is desirable, but not essential. This high-profile role sits at the heart of commercial delivery, working across Commercial, Operations, Customer, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Digital and Programme Management. You will bring structure, pace and clarity to complex projects, ensuring strong governance, effective decision-making and successful delivery from concept through to benefits realisation.
You will manage plans, budgets, risks, dependencies, approvals and reporting, working closely with senior stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners to deliver commercial outcomes aligned to business priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership
- Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of assigned commercial projects, ensuring objectives, success criteria and strategic priorities are clearly defined.
- Support the development of project briefs, business cases and delivery approaches.
- Promote collaborative, cross-functional working to support effective decision-making and successful delivery.
- Mobilise project teams, including SMEs, analysts, procurement, legal, marketing, digital and operational representatives.
- Define clear roles, responsibilities and resource requirements across project teams, stakeholders and delivery partners.
- Support negotiations with suppliers, partners and internal delivery teams, ensuring commercial requirements, risks and delivery considerations are clearly managed.
- Project Governance
- Ensure compliance with relevant Avanti commercial, financial, governance and programme management policies and procedures.
- Coordinate governance submissions, decision papers, internal approvals and external consents required for delivery.
- Manage risks, issues, opportunities, assumptions, dependencies and change control activity.
- Ensure actions, decisions and approvals from governance forums, workshops and stakeholder meetings are clearly recorded and tracked through to closure.
- Ensure delivery partners and suppliers comply with agreed commercial, operational and governance requirements.
- Programme Management and Delivery
- Establish and manage project budgets, benefits profiles and integrated delivery programmes, including key milestones such as approvals, launch, go-live and benefits realisation.
- Maintain the financial and delivery position throughout the project lifecycle, reporting on forecast costs, revenues, benefits, risks and variances against plan.
- Develop and maintain project programmes, clearly identifying the critical path, key milestones and dependencies.
- Produce regular Project Status Reports, scorecards, performance updates and financial reports for senior stakeholders and governance forums.
- Monitor and report progress through development, pre-implementation, delivery and benefits realisation.
- Capture lessons learned and evaluate commercial outcomes, delivery performance and benefits at project completion.
Skills and Experience
- Experience managing projects in a complex commercial, operational or regulated environment.
- Strong understanding of project governance, assurance, reporting, risk management, change control and stakeholder engagement.
- Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and work confidently with senior stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness, including budget tracking, forecasting, benefits reporting and variance management.
- Ability to produce clear project reports, governance papers, action logs, decision records and delivery updates.
- Highly organised, detail-focused and able to manage competing priorities.
- Collaborative, pragmatic and delivery-focused, with the ability to bring structure and momentum to complex projects.
Key Competencies
- Project leadership and stakeholder management.
- Governance, assurance and project controls.
- Risk, issue, change and dependency management.
- Commercial and financial awareness.
- Programme planning and delivery coordination.
- Clear written and verbal communication.
- Problem solving, decision support and continuous improvement.
- Experience using project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Workfront or equivalent.
- Understanding of PACE, PRINCE2, APM, MSP or equivalent project delivery methodologies.
As well as working with a fantastic team you will also receive:
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators
Apply now to join our team and make a difference at Avanti West Coast.
Be You. With Us.
At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive. We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better. We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.
Project Manager -12 months FTC in London employer: Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a supportive work culture where diversity is celebrated. With benefits such as a final salary pension, free travel for employees and their families, and generous holiday allowances, team members are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in a dynamic environment, this role provides the opportunity to lead impactful projects while collaborating with a close-knit team dedicated to making a difference in the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager -12 months FTC in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Avanti West Coast. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Avanti West Coast.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Avanti West Coast.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager -12 months FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Avanti West Coast and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avanti West Coast
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Avanti West Coast will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Avanti West Coast.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Avanti West Coast.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Avanti West Coast. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
