Description
We’re looking for an Operations Projects Specialist to lead and support a portfolio of operational initiatives that drive long term customer, performance and efficiency improvements across our organisation. This includes overseeing our resourcing roadmap, implementing new systems, and embedding updated ways of working.
In this role, you will strengthen the Operations function’s ability to adapt to industry change by using robust data, clear insight and effective communication to enable senior leaders to make smarter, faster decisions.
If you are a highly influential professional with a proven track record of delivering positive results at a senior level across both public and private sector environments, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver key outputs aligned to industry change programmes and the Operations strategy.
* Use an agile approach to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with risks effectively managed.
* Lead SMEs in developing business cases, project design and delivery.
* Provide clear, evidence-based analysis using robust data to identify improvement opportunities.
* Manage workstream plans and trackers; prepare updates; chair meetings; and lead working groups.
* Communicate project vision, objectives and progress to stakeholders across the organisation.
* Carry out additional tasks in line with the purpose and level of the role.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence colleagues across complex project activity.
* The ability to lead change and a passion for innovation.
* Strong analytical capability, confident working with large datasets and turning findings into clear cost/benefit business cases for a range of audiences.
* Ability to use key planning and workforce systems (TrainTracs, VoyagerPlan, CrewPlan, Integrale, Kestrel, TRUST, CCIL to build meaningful datasets and identify opportunities.
* Experience in planning and knowledge of traincrew rules, terms and regulations.
* A flexible, pragmatic style and confidence operating in changing or ambiguous environments.
Job Benefits
* Salary up to £63,000 DOE
* A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
* Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
* 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
* 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
* A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
* Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)- A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
* Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
* A retail discount portal- offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.
London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway operate rail services across the Midlands, the Northwest and London, with Birmingham at the heart of our network.
West Midlands Railway provides most of the local services across the region, offering direct connections to towns and cities including Redditch, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, Worcester, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Telford and Northampton. Our London Northwestern Railway brand serves the route between London and Liverpool via key locations such as Crewe, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Northampton.
On 1st February 2026, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway entered public ownership and both services are now part of WM Trains Limited operated by DFTO. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide a safe, comfortable and reliable service for passengers across 235 miles of track and 150 stations, from London to Liverpool and Hereford to Lichfield.
We expect over 80 million journeys to be made this year, that’s more than 1,252 services every day, and we remain committed to delivering the rail experience our passengers expect.