Head Of Rail Capability & Innovation

Do you enjoy collaborating with a range of partners to deliver business strategies and outcomes?

Would you relish an opportunity to influence and drive decision making for senior leaders?

If so, we are looking for an engaging leader to join out Rail Capability and Innovation team, and we would love to hear from you.

The rail industry is going through a challenging and exciting time. Rail remains one of the most important and sustainable modes of transport, which supports both personal mobility and economic growth.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is undertaking the biggest set of Rail reforms in a generation, which will see the creation of a new body, Great British Railways. New ways of working and new technologies are needed to deliver a passenger-focussed, efficient and effective railway.

As Head of Rail Capability and Innovation, you will oversee the delivery by external bodies and work collaboratively across the Department and with other Government Departments.

You will lead and support a team of four with policy development. Our team is responsible for four areas of Rail policy work which look at ways to improve the management and operation of the railway:

• The health and competitiveness of the UK rail supply chain.
• Rail skills, recruitment and retention.
• Rail innovation, research and development.
• The UK’s rail response to the invasion of Ukraine.

To be successful in this interesting and rewarding role, we are not expecting you to have detailed knowledge of these policy areas, but to be able to think strategically, have excellent stakeholder engagement and organisational skills, and the ability to become familiar with varied and technical programme portfolios.

If you would like to find out more about what it's like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.

As Head of Rail Capability and Innovation, your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading on policy development on the rail supply chain, rail skills, rail innovation and rail aid to Ukraine, and on the Department’s response to issues emerging in these areas.
• Acting as policy sponsor for the rail supply chain, collaborating with industry bodies and other Government Departments, and engaging directly with major suppliers.
• Working with National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) and other partners to identify and mitigate gaps in rail skills.
• Sponsoring externally delivered Research, Development and Innovation programmes, including influencing internal funding, developing a good understanding of and familiarity with their work and delivery.
• Developing rail aid packages to support the people of Ukraine, including working with Network Rail and other parts of the rail industry.
• Drafting and approving advice, presentations and correspondence for Ministers and senior officials.
• Leading and managing a team of four.