Summary

Our transport system impacts the lives of everyone in this country: taking people to work and school, to visit friends and relatives, and keeping the shelves of our supermarkets stocked. The Coronavirus crisis has shone a light on how mobility, of both people and goods, is central to how we live our lives. At the Department for Transport, we are responsible for connecting people and places, and ensuring that the transport sector delivers today, while being ambitious for tomorrow.

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Department’s Rail Group as the Director of Rail Strategy and Analysis. You will work as part of a committed and friendly team focused on improving experiences for rail passengers and delivering value for money for taxpayers. You will lead on a broad range of rail policy and strategy issues, including planning for Budgets and spending reviews, rail freight, international rail and managing the relationships with some of the Department’s key stakeholders, as well as leading the Rail Analysis team whose work is critical to many of the decisions made in Rail Group. You will also be a key part of the Group’s leadership team, looking after the wellbeing of our 600-strong team and working collaboratively on a wide range of cross-cutting issues.

We are looking for an inspiring leader and an outstanding communicator, who can motivate and support a diverse and multi-disciplinary team, as well as effectively collaborate, gain trust and influence at the most senior levels of government and industry. We are looking for someone with the adaptability and resilience required to lead through periods of uncertainty or change, and with excellent policy and analytical skills.

We actively promote a flexible approach to working and would like to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply for this role. Expert knowledge is not needed for this role. If you are new to rail, or indeed to transport, we would still encourage you to apply.
 

Responsibilities

• Motivate a diverse team including policy experts and analysts, supporting their development and managing performance against a background of an unpredictable, fast-paced and changing programme of work.
• Ensure a culture of collaboration within and beyond the directorate, working closely with the rest of Rail Group and the wider Department.
• Develop the long-term strategy for rail, and work closely with the Rail Reform directorate to deliver the recommendations of the Williams Rail Review.
• Lead on rail sector financial issues including periodic reviews of Network Rail’s finances, planning for Budgets and Spending Reviews, in all cases ensuring a coherent and effective position is developed and communicated.
• Lead Rail Group’s input to Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the EU, and other countries. Support the industry to maximise the benefits and opportunities from leaving the EU and establishing a new role on the global stage.
• Ensure an effective and ambitious international rail policy is in place, particularly leading work to support the continued success of the Channel Tunnel.
• Oversee the work of the rail analysis team, supporting them to provide rigorous and high impact analysis to support a broad range of decisions across Rail Group.
• Lead key stakeholder relationships with rail sector arm’s length bodies including Network Rail, the Office of Rail and Road, British Transport Police Authority, Transport Focus, and the Rail Accidents and Investigations Branch ensuring all work to deliver value for money for taxpayers and improve the passenger experience.
• Provide advice to ministers on key rail sector policy issues including pensions, safety strategy, ensuring a vibrant rail supply chain and a successful rail freight sector.
• Ensure rail interests are effectively reflected in a broad range of issues that cut across Government departments, including housing and industrial strategy.

Benefits Benefits

"Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits.

This includes:
- a generous annual leave entitlement,
- attractive pension options,
- flexible working,
- good career development opportunities,
- a variety of career paths,
- inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance."

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Selection process details

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 23:55 on Sunday 7th June 2020. You will be asked to submit the following:
1. Some basic, personal information;
2. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
3. A Statement of Suitability (max 2 pages, minimum font size 11) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification
As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer by 2020. See the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with [email protected]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.