TRU Business Change Manager in Manchester

Overview

We're Trans Pennine Express and we're looking for an experienced Change Manager to join our Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme.

In this role you will help the programme meet its objectives on time and on budget by overseeing the non-technical (people) side of the transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead TRU's change workstream, managing all internal people and organisational readiness activities.
• Conduct Change Impact Assessments to understand the scale, complexity and impact of change on affected stakeholder groups, ensuring successful adoption and long‑term reinforcement.
• Assess organisational change risk, develop mitigation strategies and implement tailored change management plans and engagement strategies aligned to project objectives.
• Proactively engage stakeholders across TRU and TPE to build commitment, drive readiness, and embed sustainable new ways of working.
• Apply dynamic engagement approaches, both directly and through leaders and change networks, to support colleagues through transition and help them confidently operate within the future state.
• Identify and assess all TRU/TPE interdependencies to ensure they are safely managed.
• Quickly establish an agile network, collaborate with other expert colleagues in TRU and TPE, and acquire relevant inputs and specialist support.
• Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications
• Accreditation in a recognised Change Management methodology such as Prosci, APMG or an equivalent framework.
• Proven experience applying Prosci Change Management principles and tools to deliver business change initiatives and transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to build relationships, influence decision‑making and support successful change outcomes.
• Experience delivering Change Impact Assessments, stakeholder engagement activities, communication plans and training interventions to support business readiness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for engaging with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Persuasive, empathetic and confident communicator, able to build trust, encourage collaboration and manage challenging conversations constructively.
• Strong networking and relationship‑building capability, developing productive partnerships across teams, functions and external organisations.
• Collaborative team player, able to work effectively with project teams, business leaders and operational colleagues to deliver shared objectives.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills, with experience producing change plans, communication and engagement strategies, stakeholder updates and impact assessment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands, ensuring key deliverables are achieved within agreed timescales.
• Adaptable and self‑sufficient, capable of working effectively in dynamic and evolving environments.
• Proactive and self‑motivated, demonstrating initiative and ownership to drive change activities forward.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, maintaining focus and professionalism when managing complex challenges.

• Competent user of Microsoft 365 applications, including

• Power Point – developing presentations, workshop materials and stakeholder communications.
• Excel – analysing data, tracking progress and producing management information.
• Share Point – managing documents, collaboration sites and information sharing.
• Analytical and forward‑thinking, able to assess impacts, identify risks and anticipate potential challenges.
• Confident problem solver, capable of developing practical solutions and overcoming resistance barriers to successful change adoption.

Desirable Experience & Capability

• Qualification in or experience of communications management / practice.
• Qualification in or experience of Organisational Development (OD).
• Qualification in or experience of Project Management (e. g. PRINCE2).
• Prior experience supporting large‑scale multi‑organisational transformation.
• Familiarity with e‑publishing platforms / products (e. g. Staffbase).
• IR / TU consultation and engagement experience.
• Rail industry experience not required.

If that sounds like the right fit for you, we'd love to hear from you – please complete an application form.

What We Offer

• Excellent career prospects.
• Personal development plan.
• Structured training and development.
• Competitive salary paid on a 4‑weekly basis.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Free Trans Pennine Express rail travel for you and your dependants*.
• Travel discounts of up to 75% off other train operating companies, plus international rail travel after 1 year’s service* for you and your dependants*.
• Free & Confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any finance, family, health or wellbeing issues.
• Option to join the Railway Pension Scheme with significant employer contributions.
• Family‑friendly maternity and paternity benefits.
• High street and lifestyle discounts and a cycle‑to‑work scheme*.

*Terms and conditions apply.

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