Specifications Planner

Salary : circa £36,000 (Excellent Benefits)

Location : Palestra

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

The advert closes on 2nd April 2024 @ 23:59 hours

You’ll be responsible for the production of bus service specifications and detailed schedules evaluations as part of the bus service tendering process and bus network reviews, to support delivery of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. In addition, you’ll be responsible for delivering the best value for passengers within the funds available and recommend tender awards which are robust and offer best value long term solutions to reliability and other identified problems.

Key Accountabilities

• To manage the timely progress of a set of tranches (groups of routes) incorporating bus service specification production, resource forecasting, and schedule evaluation, through critical stages of the tendering programme from inception to implementation, taking the lead in all areas affecting specification production and schedule evaluation.
• To be responsible for the project management of an overlapping series of tranches, all at differing stages of their life, through tranche inception, development and implementation. Plan the resource requirements at each stage.
• To be responsible for obtaining a detailed working knowledge of each individual route, through desktop studies and site visits, in the relevant tranches of the tendering programme, including current problems and possible solutions.
• To consult with other TfL teams in order to ensure the smooth flow of accurate information into specifications and schedule evaluation reports.
• To produce detailed and well argued technical schedule evaluation reports, incorporating objective analysis and interpretation of tender bid schedules, performance data, and contractor assessment, recommending courses of action to the Tender Evaluation Committee.
• To advise on schedules matters and recommend courses of action to overcome scheduling and/or operational problems.

Skills

• • Good communication and negotiating skills to drive forward tranches of the bus route tendering programme from inception to readiness for implementation with a clear lead role at the key stages of resource forecasting, detailed specification and schedule evaluation. (Desirable)
• • Strong interpersonal skills and commercial acumen to employ a variety of tactics to achieve objectives, including discussion, persuasion and negotiation, whilst building and maintaining effective long-term working relationships. (Desirable)
• • Ability to achieve results through others. (Desirable)
• • Ability to think logically, explain concepts, produce clear yet technically detailed written reports and make persuasive presentations. (Essential)
• • A flexible approach and an ability to develop solutions to problems as they arise and to work to strict deadlines. (Essential)
• • The jobholder must be numerate, computer literate and able to use information technology to an intermediate level. (Essential)

Knowledge

• • An understanding of TfL's bus service planning criteria, cost/benefit analysis methodology and contractual regime and provisions. (Desirable)
• • An appreciation of the rationale behind the design of services and the constraints under which they operate. (Desirable)
• • A general knowledge of Greater London and an active advocate for TfL’s customers (its passengers). (Essential)
• • A degree in a numerate discipline and/or equivalent professional qualification. (Desirable)
• • A thorough knowledge of TfL’s businesses and the ability to develop and implement management initiatives. (Desirable)
• • A thorough knowledge of bus operating practice, including awareness of scheduling requirements.(Desirable)

Experience

• •Experience of defining and prioritising resource needs, and to plan accordingly. (Essential)
• Experience of participating in multiple teams and negotiating with others . (Desirable)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process
Please apply using your CV and a two page covering letter. Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

• Final salary pension scheme

• Free travel for you on the TfL network

• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket

• 29/30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays (delete one)

• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow

• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)

• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme

• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers

• Discounted Eurostar travel