Consultant - Rail Operations & Performance

Candu Energy; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Professional development

Senior mentorship

Career progression

Client exposure

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services firm, seeks an experienced Rail Operations & Performance consultant to shape and deliver complex operational, strategic and transformation initiatives. You will manage workstreams, analyse performance, and guide client teams through workshops and governance processes to improve safety, reliability and asset utilisation.

You will collaborate with senior consultants and technical specialists, develop plans and business cases, and play a key role in

Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience in rail operations, transport consultancy, project delivery or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable project management experience with planning, governance, risk and reporting.
• Understanding of rail interfaces between operators, infrastructure, timetable and customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, turning evidence into practical recommendations.
• Confident written and verbal communication with client/stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with limited supervision and high-quality output.
• PM qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage defined workstreams and smaller consultancy assignments from initiation through delivery.
• Apply rail operations knowledge to assess performance, processes and interfaces.
• Develop project plans, governance, risk controls and progress reporting.
• Analyse data to identify risks, trends and improvements.
• Lead workshops, interviews and stakeholder meetings with operational and management teams.
• Prepare client-facing reports, business cases, presentations and recommendations.
• Support bids and client development for rail advisory services.
• Plan and deliver assignments within scope, budget and quality requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs across operations, engineering, digital and planning.
• Build relationships with client stakeholders and communicate delivery priorities.

Skills

Rail operations experience

Project management

Rail operating environment

Analytical problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Prioritization & quality

Professional demeanor

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Help Shape and Deliver the Future of Rail Operations

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and commercially minded consultant to join our Rail Operations & Performance team. You will combine practical rail operations knowledge with project management experience to help clients define, mobilise and deliver complex operational, strategic and transformation initiatives. Working with senior consultants, technical specialists and client teams, you will take responsibility for defined workstreams and smaller assignments. Your work will support improvements in operational performance, safety, service reliability, passenger experience and asset utilisation, as well as the successful delivery of major rail programmes and organisational change.

This is an opportunity to apply your rail industry experience in a client-facing consultancy environment, lead high-quality analysis and delivery, manage stakeholders and contribute to the continued growth of our rail operations advisory capability.

Your role

Manage defined workstreams and smaller consultancy assignments from initiation through to delivery.

Apply rail operations knowledge to assess current performance, operating arrangements, processes and interfaces.

Develop project plans, schedules, governance, risk controls and progress reporting.

Analyse operational and business data to identify risks, trends and improvement opportunities.

Lead or support workshops, interviews and stakeholder meetings with operational, technical and management teams.

Prepare clear, evidence-based reports, business cases, presentations and recommendations for clients.

Support bids, client development and the continuous improvement of our rail advisory services.

Plan and deliver consultancy assignments in accordance with agreed scope, programme, budget and quality requirements.

Manage project controls, including schedules, actions, risks, issues, dependencies, change and status reporting.

Assess rail operating models, operational processes, performance, capacity, timetable and control interfaces to identify practical improvements.

Translate complex operational evidence into options, recommendations, implementation plans and business cases.

Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs across operations, engineering, digital, planning, safety and project delivery disciplines.

Build effective relationships with client stakeholders, facilitate decision-making and communicate delivery priorities clearly.

Produce and quality-assure client-facing reports, presentations, plans and governance documentation.

Monitor delivery performance and take timely action to resolve issues or escalate risks.

Support and coach junior colleagues, providing clear direction and constructive review of their work.

Contribute to proposals, estimating, client account development and wider practice initiatives.

About you

Essential

• Relevant professional experience in rail operations, transport consultancy, project delivery or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable project management experience, including planning, governance, risk and issue management, stakeholder coordination and reporting.
• Good understanding of the rail operating environment and the interfaces between operators, infrastructure, timetable planning, control, engineering and customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn evidence into practical recommendations.
• Confident written and verbal communication, including experience engaging client and operational stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work with limited supervision and maintain high standards of quality.
• A collaborative, proactive and commercially aware approach.
• A degree or equivalent relevant professional experience; a recognised project management qualification is desirable.

What We Offer

• A varied portfolio of rail operations, transformation and project delivery assignments.
• Responsibility for meaningful workstreams with direct access to clients and senior specialists.
• Opportunities to broaden your operational, consulting, commercial and leadership experience.
• Support towards relevant professional and project management qualifications.
• Coaching from experienced rail consultants and industry practitioners.
• A clear pathway to senior consultancy and project leadership roles.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis , a world-class engineering services and nuclear organi