Project Manager

Who are we?

First Rail Consultancy provides specialist services across the public transport sector, particularly in the rail industry. We work closely with other FirstGroup plc businesses including operators Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Hull Trains, all-electric train operator Lumo and advising DfT on the future operation of HS2. We also provide consultancy services for First Bus, London Trams, and external clients.

We deliver a wide range of services to meet our clients’ needs including business development, branding, data analysis, engineering, project management, editorial work, and training. We also engage in commercial activity for FirstGroup plc to expand our business, both nationally and internationally. This work encompasses everything from contract bids and business planning to developing software services and new rail routes.

We have assembled an experienced team with expertise in a range of disciplines. Just as importantly, we take great pride in being friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Alongside our work, we run book clubs, football teams, cricket teams and social events.

We support all employees in their personal and professional development through training, academic qualifications, and interesting, varied project work.

What’s the role?

Our Senior Consultant Project Managers provide delivery expertise across a broad portfolio of client projects. They take responsibility for end-to-end projects and programme workstreams, from initial scoping through to handover, leading on delivery, reporting and governance. Delivering in a variety of project environments, examples of recent assignments include SAP rollout, mobilisation of a new National Rail Contract, training for a new fleet of trains, TfL Cable Car mobilisation, commercial bids, workstream definition and delivery within a recovery programme.

The role is part of a multi-disciplinary team of project and programme professionals. Our team works flexibly with a base at our head office in Paddington, London. Travel to other UK locations is required dependant on your client assignments. A summary of key responsibilities follows:

• Lead project delivery from initial scoping to handover to business-as-usual
• Define client requirements and ensure delivery to time, cost and quality standards
• Create and maintain quality project documentation
• Identify stakeholders and keep them appraised through regular reporting
• Ensure all known risks are effectively managed, mitigated and communicated
• Provide robust change controls as necessary
• Produce assignment case studies and lessons learned

As a consultant, you’ll be working with a diverse group of clients in different businesses. It is important to appreciate this is not a ‘business as usual’ role and as consultants we balance the priorities of our clients with those our own organisation. Often, we work on several assignments for different clients at the same time, dividing and recording the time we spend on each piece of work. We find those who excel in our environment relish this variety.

Who are we looking for?

You’ll combine a detailed understanding of project management with a passion for working with diverse groups of people to things done. As our assignments cover a full range of business functions, we look for change experts with strong delivery skillsets, this could include technical experts who’ve worked on projects in their subject area, including Rail and commercial bid environment within consultancy or in a public sector environment.

This role is suited to individuals with a broad project management and delivery skillset. While it does not require dedicated IT, technical, or engineering project management experience, experience with IT project delivery, Consulting and/or bids is desirable.

Here’s a summary of the capabilities we’re looking for:

• Excellent knowledge and application of a wide range of project management tools and techniques, project controls, processes, governance, and systems. This includes proven experience:
• Writing comprehensive project plans
• Using Gantt charts for project scheduling
• Financial understanding and appreciation (budgeting, reporting, interpretation)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams)
• Risk
• Good interpersonal skills to work with all stakeholders, build relationships and networks, express ideas confidently and clearly, and deliver agreed results.
• Capacity to work across several projects in different subject areas as required, and skilled in managing/balancing multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to facilitate, engage, and advise across various levels of an
• High level of attention to detail and skill in creating accessible, traceable, quality documentation, reports, and presentations.
• Works independently whilst remaining aligned with the agreed direction of travel
• Questions existing approaches and views change as an opportunity
• Consulting and/or bid experience is desirable

What are we looking for?

• Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
• Private Healthcare Insurance
• 25 days Holiday plus National Bank Holidays
• Travel Offers for Bus and Rail *
• Professional development with team training on consultancy skills and professional project delivery training once you have become established in the business
• Shopping Discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
• Buy as You Earn – allows you to buy shares each month, with 2 free ‘matching’ shares for each 3 shares you You can vary the amount you save or stop it at any time. You need to participate in the scheme for at least 3 years to receive the matching shares*
• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice
• after 6 months of employment

FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities, and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer.

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