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- Tasks: Lead exciting IT projects that connect communities and enhance digital services.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, a key player in transport and mobility.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, competitive salary, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing IT projects and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on diversity and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
Who we are South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight. Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
About the job The IT & Digital Services team at South Western Railway are seeking a mid-level IT Project Manager with a continuous improvement mindset alongside proven experience of successfully managing the day-to-day running and delivery of Digital, Data and Technical projects to agreed scope, time, cost, and quality. The purpose of this role is to align the delivery of IT projects to SWR's business objectives and operational value.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Project Leadership
- Concurrently managing multiple projects of varying size and complexity
- Managing and documenting project delivery through design, build, test and go-live phases
- Developing and maintaining project plans along with tracking key milestones, dependencies and critical paths
- Managing cross-functional project delivery teams and workstreams of technical and operational SMEs
- Working with SMEs to gather, document and validate requirements
- Owning RAID logs, change control and delivery actions with minimal supervision and ensuring compliance with PMO standards
- Delivering change in regulated environments and ensuring compliance through the completion of relevant impact assessments
- Proactively identifying, managing and escalating delivery risks, dependencies and constraints
- Ensuring compliance with security, data and technology standards
Stakeholder & Team Working
- Confidently develop strong working relationships and collaborate effectively with business SMEs, operational teams and technical specialists
- Regular reporting on project progress to key stakeholders and senior leaders
- Experience coordinating third party suppliers, tracking performance and holding vendors accountable to deliverables and contractual obligations
- Strong collaboration skills across matrixed organisations
You’ll need to be:
- Tools, Process & Assurance
- Experience with industry standard project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet or similar
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date project documentation and reporting
- Produces clear status updates, dashboards, and highlight reports
- Experience supporting project governance, approvals and assurance processes
- Familiar with the smooth transition and handover to BAU, operational acceptance and support readiness
Budget and Financial Management
- Managing project budgets, forecasts and financial reporting
- Tracking actuals vs. budget (including resource utilisation) and managing variances
- Working with Finance teams on cost approvals and procurement
Ways of Working
- Pragmatic approach to Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methodologies
- Able to adapt delivery approach to suit project size and complexity
- Dedicated to continuous improvement and implementing outputs from lessons learned sessions
Personal Attributes
- Delivery-focused and outcomes-driven
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Confident communicator, able to work at both technical and business levels
- Calm and resilient in a fast-paced operational environment
Railway / Transport industry experience
- Railway or Transport Industry experience is desirable, but not essential
- Supporting post-implementation reviews and benefits realisation tracking
- Comfortable delivering IT change within operational environments
- Understanding of the impact of IT change on operational teams
- Experience working around service availability, operational constraints and business-as-usual priorities
- Awareness of safety, assurance and operational readiness considerations
About the location South Western Railway's HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport.
Working pattern Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days Standard office hours
The Reward In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:
- Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
- Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
- 75% discount on many other train operating companies
- Full training and support with development
- Excellent pension scheme
We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
IT Project Manager employer: South Western News UK
Contact Detail:
South Western News UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at South Western Railway on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research SWR's recent projects and challenges in the IT sector. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your project management skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed multiple projects, tackled risks, and collaborated with teams. Real-life stories resonate well!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the SWR family.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the IT Project Manager role. Highlight your experience with project management tools and methodologies, and don’t forget to showcase your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for SWR. Mention your continuous improvement mindset and how your past experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, emphasise your experience in developing strong working relationships with stakeholders. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated project progress and collaborated with cross-functional teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western News UK
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the outcomes. This will show your potential employer that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SWR's Values
Take some time to research South Western Railway and their mission. Understanding their commitment to connecting communities and providing excellent service will help you align your answers with their values during the interview. It shows that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Since the role involves managing relationships with various stakeholders, think of examples where you successfully collaborated with different teams or managed conflicts. Be prepared to discuss how you build strong working relationships and ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
With a focus on Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid methodologies, be ready to discuss how you adapt your project management style based on the project's needs. Share specific instances where you had to pivot your approach and what the results were, demonstrating your flexibility and continuous improvement mindset.
