Strategic Planning Manager WCPD

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 will 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 Strategic Planning Manager on a fixed term contract until 31/03/2026.

Purpose of the role

The Strategic Planning Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining focus on long term WCPD planning for the introduction of High-Speed Services (HSS) and Integrated Operations. You will develop, maintain and communicate coherent WCPD long term plans to deliver HSS and Integrated Operations. You will liaise with industry partners (including HS2 Ltd, NR, Avanti, DfT) on their plans to ensure that required outputs, deliverables and activities are aligned and coherent with the WCPD plans and vice versa. You will support WCPD teams to create their long-term plans to Integrated Operations and provide guidance and input to colleagues to ensure these plans are coherent and consistent across the WCPD programme of work.

Some Of The Responsibilities For This Role Are

• Develop and maintain the WCPD Integrated Plan the long term WCPD plan to deliver High Speed Services and Integrated Operations.
• Develop and deliver WCPD input into industry plans (including the HS2 Strategic Migration Path (SMP), configuration states, HS2 Integrated Planning Dashboard) and align WCPD plans with these.
• Support change management processes.
• Create and maintain effective relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, improving their understanding of the importance of strategic and long-term planning.
• Develop, analyse and report on key programme information for the WCPD Senior Leadership Team.
• Contribute to WCPD deliverables (including Annual Business Plan, Accepted Programme, Transitional Programme, Annual Review).
• Collaborate across WCPD in the development and implementation of standards, processes and systems to deliver continuous improvement in PMO approaches.
• Undertake assignments and/or manage projects as required.
• Ensure the safety of yourself, others and the railway are at the forefront of everything we do.

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.

Your application

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!