Strategic Planner

Salary Scale: £40,000 per annum

Closing date: 26 April 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Planner to join the Railway Strategy and Policy team at RDG. The role holder will have the opportunity to identify and analyse strategic issues impacting rail customers across the country. This role offers a unique perspective to help coordinate strategic planning activity within GB rail and requires close working and influence with a number of external stakeholders from across the industry.

A key responsibility of this position will be facilitating RDG’s Planning Oversight Group (POG) which brings together executive-level industry planning experts from across the railway. The role will also support the development of policies to support broader reforms that will deliver better long-term outcomes for customers, funders, and the wider community.

Another crucial element of the role will be the representation of RDG and its train operator members on Network Rail’s Route Investment Review Groups (RIRGs).  This will necessitate close collaborative working both within RDG, but also with external stakeholders. The role requires authoritative and confident interaction with representatives from across the rail sector, which includes operators, Network Rail, Great British Railway Transition Team, government departments, the Office of Rail and Road, sub-national transport bodies and Rail Partners.

While the role will primarily focus on long-term planning, there may also be opportunities to support across RDG on issues such as structural/institutional rail reform, new ways of working, and rolling stock decarbonisation.

We are looking for a passionate individual with proven experience in strategic planning or town planning that can develop and deliver initiatives across a complex system.

Requirements

The ideal person will be:

Professionally qualified with a relevant degree/postgraduate qualification (ideally town planning or similar) and/or experience in business consultancy or planning organisations. Able to demonstrate relevant experience in Planning methodologies.

It is essential you are able to demonstrate experience or competence of:

·       Minimum of 2 years’ strategic planning or town planning experience

·       Ability to facilitate strategic planning meetings and workshops

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely

·       Demonstrated ability to conduct research, analyse data, and provide strategic recommendations

·       Strong problem solving and analytical capabilities

·       Great inter-personal skills and ability to collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Desirable:

·       Knowledge of the GB rail industry, plus its regulatory / commercial / contractual arrangements

Full membership (MRTPI) of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• 75% reduction on UK rail travel (for work and leisure) - more below
• Reduced international rail travel
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Contributory defined benefit pension scheme
• Give As You Earn scheme
• Subsidised private medical care
• Healthcare cash plan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• Flexible working
• 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Personal Development Days
• Employees may sell up to a maximum of five days’ leave.  Employees can buy up to a maximum of five days’ leave. These figures will be pro rata for part-time employees