Chief Executive

Job Description HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities. High Speed Two (HS2) is a once in a generation rail and infrastructure project. HS2 will form part of a blend of projects that will unlock growth and prosperity throughout the nation. At this point in time the opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide an executive with a defining role in the success of HS2. The new CEO will have the high–profile position of overseeing the delivery of Phase 1, moving the project into the latter phases of the construction project it is today, onto transforming it into a railway and systems project before finally bringing it into service for passengers in the early 2030s. The successful CEO will expertly manage the complexity of this organisation and programme, focusing energy on outstanding delivery through a best–in–class HS2 organisation. This will be combined with strong relationships across its supply chain partners, and effective interface with Government and stakeholders to ensure the monumental benefits of HS2 are unlocked. The CEO will be responsible for managing more than GBP25bn worth of contracts with the most prestigious construction and advisory firms in the UK, directly engaging with their CEOs to deliver performance on time, to budget and safely. A key component for the CEO will be developing a high performing executive team and business culture that instils best in class performance across the entire organisation. The CEO and Board will provide the required leadership that delivers robust performance management and value for the taxpayer. A strong focus on performance against cost and schedule will be paramount. The CEO will also be the controlling mind for the entire HS2 investment, providing day–to–day leadership and ensuring decisions are made in a way that maximises value for money. Having the capability, energy to deliver a holistic railway system that is safe, functional and operational in alignment with the DfT strategic investment aspirations, will be central to achieving this. Undoubtedly the successful leadership and delivery of HS2 will create a unique legacy for the organisation, the supply chain, and the successful CEO. The impact of HS2 will be realised by many generations to come. About the role: As a member of the Board of HS2 Ltd, the CEO will lead the delivery of the HS2 programme by managing the top leadership team and the wider HS2 Ltd organisation to ensure that the programme is delivered on time, on budget and within the legal and fiduciary responsibilities laid out for its delivery.

• To work closely with the Board, key external stakeholders and the Shareholder to ensure that HS2 delivers a leading infrastructure asset and ultimately a railway that delivers high quality services.
• To set standards for planning, innovation and delivery, holding the organisation to account against key milestones, people, culture and financial metrics.
• To apply experience and judgement, as well as challenge and support, to drive value for money for the taxpayer.
• To work closely and effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders and support a culture of collaboration, openness and transparency whilst maintaining a clear understanding of the public's priorities and the ability to reconcile differing perspectives.
• To ensure safety of construction, and ultimately operation of the railway, as the top organisational priority and lead by example in this area.
• To ensure transfer of assets and knowledge, as appropriate, at the end of the project.
• To take critical decisions across all the aspects of the HS2 within the authority given by the HS2 Ltd Board, and support the Chairman in optimising the governance structure in order to ensure that good decisions are made in a timely, efficient manner.
• To manage, in close collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Directorate and the Chair, internal and external communication so as to develop public support for the project and present a consistent image to the stakeholders.
• To lead and manage relationships, in collaboration with the executive team, with the project sponsor (DfT), wider Government stakeholders, delivery agencies, Euston Urban Development Company and 3rd party technical and construction partners to ensure support, compliance and assurance.
• To lead budgetary planning and control processes to ensure that budgets and plans are aligned to the needs of HS2. Discharge Accounting Officer responsibilities in line with Government Requirements.
• To create a culture of empowerment and ownership driving personal accountability at all levels.

About you: Skills:

• Leadership of large, complex and multi–skilled teams across organisational boundaries.
• Ability to overcome obstacles and ensure intended outcomes are realised resolving conflicting objectives and judging trade–offs.
• Strong analytical skills – an ability to assimilate complex information in order to take action providing clear direction and purpose to the organisation and its stakeholders.
• An ability to understand and focus on detail whilst maintaining the strategic vision to keep the programme focussed.
• Ability to build, lead and motivate top executive teams and consensus within these teams and the board and sole shareholder.
• Public speaking and ambassadorial skills – ability to lead innovation within the broader industry, working with technical bodies, trade associations, and the supply chain.
• Ability to work with Government to deliver and communicate in the unique public/private environment and represent HS2 at events such as select committees, Public Accounts Committee etc.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of best practice approaches to embedding continuous improvement culture as the organisation shifts from concept to delivery and adapts accordingly.
• Knowledge of inclusive leadership techniques and approaches.
• Knowledge of complex engineering projects, supply chain management, programme management and business issues.
• Knowledge of large–scale programme delivery, preferably including infrastructure, systems integration and entry into service.

Experience:

• Experience of leading a successful transformation of a large delivery organisation, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service.
• Experience of leading Health and Safety culture through personal leadership and commitment.
• Experience of effective strategic risk management, change control processes and capital allocation on large–scale, capital–intensive projects or within organisations delivering in this environment.
• Experience of dealing with the procurement in a complex supply chain.

The post–holder is expected to behave at all times in a manner consistent with the HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect As HS2 Ltd do not hold a sponsorship license from the Home Office, we are not able to provide sponsorship to any applicant. Applicants must already have the Right to Work in the UK at the time of application and our process involves a Right to Work validation prior to the interview stage. Note, there are certain types of time–bound visas that we cannot accept. Any offers made to applicants will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre–employment checks which include Nationality & Immigration Status, employment references, DBS, Financial and Education checks. We ask for a variety of detail in your online application, however we perform the first assessment of suitability for a role based solely on the information in your CV. In a further development of our efforts to create a more diverse workforce, your CV will be anonymised and personal information will be removed during the first stage of the application review. This removes bias from the process and makes it even more important that you attach an updated word version of your CV for each new application ensuring you include evidence directly related to the criteria in the job advert. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered. About Us High Speed 2 (HS2 Ltd) will be the UK's new high speed rail network. As well as improving capacity, the new scheme will shorten journey times between a number of Britain's major population centres, boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. HS2 Ltd will create a skills legacy and develop a diverse range of talent. We aim to be a leader in EDI practice by creating a safe & inclusive working environment for all our staff – living our values of Safety, Respect, Integrity and Leadership. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities. HS2 Ltd is also a safety–critical organisation. Employees are required to ensure reasonable care of their own and others' health and safety by taking personal responsibility for working to our 'Safe at Heart' programme principles and following safe working procedures at all times. HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential.