Head of Rail Planning

Role and Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of planners across specialised planning areas, eliminating silos and building a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Planning Oversight: Direct and integrate planning efforts across the business to ensure cohesion, efficiency, and alignment with project timelines and budget.
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure all planning activities across the business adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements, specifically NR/L2/OHS/019 Safety of People at Work on or Near the Line standard, GERT8000 Rule Book requirements, lifting standards, and the latest Any Line Open (ALO) planning and working Implement and enforce protocols to maintain compliance, conducting regular audits and training to keep the team updated on any changes in regulations and best practices.
• Strategic Process Management: Set and refine processes for each planning discipline to enhance operational efficiency, project visibility, and team collaboration.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders, including directors, project managers, operations, and commercial, to optimise delivery and processes.
• Risk Mitigation: Establish and implement risk management strategies for possession and isolation, ALO planning and working, and lift planning, identifying potential project issues and delays and proactively addressing challenges.
• Technology Utilisation: Oversee the integration and usage of planning tools and software, specifically for safe work planning and project programming, to support project delivery, forecasting, and team coordination.

Skills required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in project management or engineering or a related field (preferred)
• Experience: Proven track record in a senior planning role with experience overseeing multiple planning disciplines and managing large teams within Rail.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with all planning disciplines and a strong grasp of industry standards and regulatory requirements are highly desirable.
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience leading and scaling teams, with a talent for developing people.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of planning software, procedures, Network Rail and RSSB Standards and other relevant tools, with a robust analytical background in data management.
• Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills, capable of building strong working relationships across functions and levels and translating complex planning requirements to diverse teams.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Company pension
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee health assistance scheme
• 25 holidays per year plus bank holidays
• Dog friendly office
• Volunteer Days

QTS is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.