Permanent
Franchise Change Manager – Rail North
Franchise Change Manager – Rail North
Grade O
SP 1-4 £57,656 - £66,759 per annum
Based in Leeds City Centre
Rail North and Rail North Partnership
Rail North Limited brings together 25 Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) across the North of England into one cohesive and proactive body, which represents the regional and local economic, transport and strategic objectives for the rail industry.
The Rail North Partnership is a joint partnership established between DfT and Rail North deliver the first stage of rail devolution and to manage the new TPE and Northern Franchises from 1 April, including approving any changes to the franchises. The Partnership will also be involved in developing investment plans for current and future franchises
About the role
Our new franchises are incredibly ambitious and are critical to the economic success of the northern powerhouse with new trains, new services and over £1.5bn of investment. This is in the context of Network Rail delivering a programme of major infrastructure enhancements, including electrification and an upgrade to the Transpennine Route.
This role requires an effective senior manager to represent the Rail North and DfT partnership’s interests in managing the development and negotiation of major contract changes to both the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises on behalf of DfT and Rail North to take account of changes in infrastructure delivery assumptions and to support the delivery the Transpennine route upgrade programme.
Accountable for the effective development of the business case for the major contract changes, lead the commercial negotiations and necessary legal changes to the Franchise Agreement and franchise Financial Models. This role will lead and direct specialist DfT and Rail North subject matter experts in determining and negotiating the optimal outcomes for Rail North and DfT. It will also play a key role in managing major franchise changes arising from the implementation of Rail North’s devolved responsibilities for fares specification. A key member of the Rail North Partnership senior Management Team and a critical player in the establishment and development of a credible and successful Rail North Partnership delivery of further franchise devolution.
This role will need work closely in partnership with Network Rail, our Franchisees and other key stakeholders to ensure that rail services in the North maximise the positive impact and long term benefits by transforming rail travel in the North. At its core will be a commitment to ensure that the risks associated with changes to infrastructure is mitigated through close working with both franchisees to develop and enhance technical solutions, risk mitigation actions and identify explicit cost and revenue impacts. Working closely with Rail North Partnership Commercial Management Team this role will establish the base business case and develop fully costed and risk assessed proposals for any resulting franchise changes.
The role will support the Rail North Partnership commercial team colleagues who manage the franchises to ensure that franchise objectives and outcomes are delivered through this significant change management programme. It will require development of close working relationships with both Rail North and DfT subject matter experts, leading multi-disciplinary teams in with operational, commercial, financial and legal workstreams. This is a highly visible and influential yet a hands on role - getting things done and ensuring that Rail North and DfT interests are fully protected in a challenging franchise change programme.
About the person
An effective influencer with senior industry credibility, very commercially astute and an excellent communicator/negotiator with a strong sense of the big picture for the future of rail in the North of England. With appropriate gravitas, be able to develop credible and effective working relationships with franchise operators, DfT, Rail North member authorities, Network Rail and Transport for the North – all at a senior level – driving a commercial agenda that optimises the long term benefits for rail in the North of England. (Working with national partners requires a flexible approach to travel including some days each month in London and the North).
An experienced outcomes-focused senior manager with considerable knowledge and understanding of rail franchises and commercial framework, you can be up and running quickly, making a difference to our management team from day one. A strategic thinker on long term commercial value, able to contribute to delivering our vision and able to delve into the detail without being overwhelmed by it. You will bring excellent commercial management, business case development and contract negotiation management experience. Knowledge and understanding of rail franchise agreements is essential.
Joining Rail North now opens up significant potential for growth in role and the opportunity to have a real impact on the lives of millions of people living in the North. The organisation and its teams will grow providing the scope for career development.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has a flexible and encouraging approach to helping you achieve your best work/life balance and career goals with a range of benefits including a local government career average pension scheme, a free countywide travel MCard (zone 1-5) and flexitime working scheme.
We encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion or beliefs, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Closing Date: 26/06/2016
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. Candidates will be notified of invitation to interview by e-mail.
No Agencies please.
Candidate information will be retained by WYCA for 12 months unless you make a request for this to be deleted.
Please note It is WYCA’s policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments