Head of Performance

Position - Permanent - Full time

Location - 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham

Salary - Competitive package and benefits - PM3

We are looking to recruit forward-looking, highly driven Head of Performance to report to the Operations Director. You will lead the Performance department within WMT to identify and drive structural and day-to-day improvements leading to improvement in the delivery of the train service in support of company and wider industry objectives.

In addition, you will ensure appropriate management of performance regimes in both the National Rail Contract (or successor agreement) and Track Access Agreement, including leadership of the Delay Attribution (Schedule 8) process and team. You will provide strategic advice to the WMT business in respect of Performance Improvement with the potential to impact future train service performance.

You won’t be prepared to settle for second best and will be committed to a culture that evolves to better deliver the service rail customers pay for.

You will bring with you the following skills and experience:

• Highly credible leader with a proven track record of leading, managing and motivating others to deliver results. Willing to challenge poor performance.

• Proactive individual with an ability to engage with others quickly to establish relationships.

• Excellent communicator with strong negotiation and influencing skills.

• Ability to understand, interpret and drive development of compelling management information. Demonstrable experience using Power BI (or another equivalent system) to establish a common picture from multiple data sources would be an advantage.

• Expert knowledge of modern National Rail operational performance measures and regimes.

• Specialist knowledge of the current Schedule 8 (Track Access Contract) regime and new National Rail Contracts.

• Understanding of PIMS & RM3P and how they can be applied in a modern train operator.

• Substantial experience of railway performance modelling – including demonstrable knowledge of opportunities provided by recent developments within the rail industry such as RSSB-supported approaches – would be an advantage.

• An eye for detail that ensures compliance reporting to stakeholders including DfT, West Midlands Rail Executive, Grand Rail Collaboration and our shareholders is accurate and timely.

• Good, broad-based knowledge of railway operations.

• Good knowledge of WMT operations and geography.

• Knowledge of safety and quality standards.   

• Able to understand and absorb substantial amounts of information quickly and accurately and drive appropriate action to deliver realistic solutions.

• Excellent people and team leadership skills gained in a senior management capacity.

• Experience of working in an operational environment. Thrives in complex and demanding situations. Can demonstrate a high level of personal resilience.

• Experience of deploying strategic priorities whilst maintaining performance delivery.

• Experience of managing diverse teams through change, developing talent and coaching others.

• Experience of managing a geographically dispersed team and able to work within virtual team environment.

• Experience of managing complex budgets.

• Developing a productive working relationship with internal functions.

In addition to a competitive salary, West Midlands Trains offers a wealth of benefits including first class travel on Abellio trains for you, your partner and dependant children, 75% discount on other train travel over most of the UK rail network, access to an Employee Recognition and Benefits Platform, development opportunities to help further your career with West Midlands Trains, and a defined benefit salary pension as well as an opportunity to participate in the company's health scheme.

Applications will be considered from internal colleagues with 6 months experience after completion of their probationary period and a full check of absence and disciplinary records.