Operational Resourcing Programme Manager - 12m FTC

Closing date: 4 September 2026

Salary scale: £55,000 - £70,000 per annum

Help Shape the Future of Britain's Railway 

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) partners with Britain’s train operators to put customers at the heart of everything we do, delivering essential services and dedicated experts who keep the nation’s railway running efficiently.  

From journey information, reservations and Railcards to improving performance, safety and accessibility, we drive the services and people that keep the railway moving. Anyone who has travelled by train or booked a journey for friends or family, will have used our services. We are integral to the running of the railway and play a crucial part at every stage of the customer journey – making sure we are delivering a better railway for all our customers, now and in the future. 
 
As we embark on a new era for rail, we are now looking for am Operational Resourcing Programme Manager to join us. If you are motivated by meaningful work and want to play a role in the future of Britain's railway, we'd love to hear from you! 

What is the purpose of this job?

This role is to programme manage the Resourcing Pillar of NPB’s Performance Restoration Framework. The role is responsible for delivery and development of the resourcing pillar programme, supporting the Industry’s Resourcing Pillar lead.

The Performance Restoration Framework focusses the Network Performance Board and the industry on 6 key focus areas (pillars). Each Pillar has a programme of workstreams to help the industry driver improvements to performance for the customer.

What can I expect to do in this job?

·       Management of the delivery of NPB’s Resourcing Pillar programme plan, including monitoring and tracking of activity.

·       Maintain a robust stakeholder and communications plan for the programme. Lead, support and contribute to building effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.

·       Partner to the governance groups for the programme, including NPB, the Traincrew Board and programme working groups.

·       Oversee the on-going management of the required reporting to relevant governance groups, including periodic programme reporting and RAG summary.

·       Accountable for the delivery of key workstreams and coordinating industry activity relating to the Resourcing Pillar and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.

·       Work with individual TOCs, Owning Groups and NR routes to ensure adequate development and adoption of the outputs.

·       Contract Management for industry suppliers, to support the delivery of the programme’s outputs.

·       Support and line manage programme resource (where appropriate)

·       Management of the programme’s budget

This role is accountable for successful programme management of the Operational Resourcing Pillar Programme. The role aims to put the structures in place to ensure the programme meets its objectives and crucially it delivers the benefits it sets out to achieve. The role is in part accountable for the realisation of these benefits, in partnership with industry leads.

Who will you be working with?

·       Network Performance Board members & senior industry partners

·       Train companies and Owning Groups

·       Network Rail Operational resourcing leads

·       Industry governance groups (People, Operations and Performance)

·       Other industry stakeholders such as RSSB, TUs, ORR and DFTO and DfT

This is a cross industry role that should be able to work with senior leaders to junior management staff.

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

We are looking for someone with a proven track record on the management of programmes/projects qualified with relevant system such as Prince2 or APM and ideally someone who has rail industry experience.

Some of the sort of specific skills and knowledge we are looking for include:

·       Projects and programmes management and associated methodology

·       Good communication skills both verbal and written

·       Experience in producing high-quality change management tools and delivering these successfully

·       Ability to work with, and influence, appropriate stakeholders to ensure commitment and alignment

·       Dynamic, team player who is also a self-starter

·       Ability to manage a diverse and complex stakeholder group, over varying roles and functions

·       Great at articulating the value of change and associated plans and activities

·       Effective at partnering with others to plan, develop and deliver effective change interventions

·       Understand both the physiological and psychological impacts of change on wellbeing and resilience, and techniques to respond

·       Understanding of railway operations and ideally traincrew resourcing

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% discount on rail travel (for work and leisure), plus international rail discounts
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Two Personal Development Days are granted to employees annually
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme – up to 8.64% employer contribution
• Subsidised Private Medical Insurance (Vitality PPP) and Health Cash Plan (Healthshield)
• Access to our flexible benefits portal - a central hub for accessing retail discounts, shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment perks
• Flexible working arrangements available