Digital Programme Manager

Porterbrook; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Parental leave

Cycle to Work

Season ticket loan

Free parking

Job summary

Porterbrook in the UK is seeking an experienced Digital Programme Manager to lead the Digital Services Programme and join a team delivering innovative rail solutions.

You will manage multiple inter-related projects, build strong stakeholder relationships, and ensure delivery on time, budget and quality. This role offers a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits across Derby, London and Long Marston.

Qualifications

• Chartered engineer with traction and rolling stock experience 5–10 years.
• Experience managing projects, budget control, and customer/supplier liaison.
• Knowledge of railway rolling stock, industry contracts, and project management tools.
• Data analysis techniques and agile project management methods are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Digital Services Programme on time, to budget, and with required quality.
• Manage multiple inter-related projects and develop stakeholder/supplier relationships.
• Prepare monthly briefs and quarterly reporting; monitor costs, risks and opportunities.
• Chair contract review meetings and ensure timely payment of supplier invoices.
• Provide general Digital and PMO services across the business when required.

Skills

Chartered Engineer

Budget control

Stakeholder liaison

Project management

Agile methods

Data analysis

Software engineering

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

HNC or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database knowledge

Job description

At the heart of the rail network for over three decades, Porterbrook is the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.

By working together with our partners, we deliver high-quality, agile rolling stock solutions that ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, sustainable and fit for the future.

We don’t just provide trains – we provide a customer-focused platform for long-term success. Since 1994, Porterbrook has invested over £4bn in new rolling stock including £1bn of capital in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure in the last five years.

With our strategic and empathetic funding solutions, we’re actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead.

About the team

Our Fleet Services team support customers across the UK and offer a range of embedded support packages to help improve fleet reliability. The successful candidate will be joining a team of experienced engineers.

About the role

A great opportunity for an exceptional Digital Programme Manager, to join the Porterbrook team.

Key responsibilities

Digital Services Programme

• Accountable for the on time, to budget and acceptable quality, delivery of the Digital Services Programme
• Manage multiple inter-related projects in parallel
• Develop collaborative stakeholder and supplier relationships
• Agree detailed work scopes and deliverables with all parties
• Ensure deliverables are met and to the required quality

Project Delivery

• Manage internal and external parties, assisting in requirements capture for new and existing Digital products and services
• Ensure that the projects that are allocated to you are reported so the business has sufficient visibility of the progress, issues, costs, risks and opportunities within your projects. This will normally take the form of a monthly brief and formal quarterly reporting or as required by the business
• Undertake regular project reviews to monitor overall project performance and provide robust forecasts on costs vs budget
• Ensure all information, relevant to the projects that you manage, is shared within the business in a timely manner, including ensuring that logistics are kept up to date with project schedules
• Ensure Project Execution Plans (PEPs) and workbooks for your projects are up to date and are compiled in accordance with the issued Porterbrook Procedure
• Chair the regular contract review meetings as specified in the relevant contract and produce and issue minutes in a timely manner
• Ensure the payment of supplier invoices are progressed in accordance with the business processes in a timely manner

Customer Relations

• Where requested, in liaison with the Head of Digital Engineering Services and wider technical team, provide direct support to customers on all technical issues affecting the vehicles that they lease that arise from Digital Services projects. Ensure that these matters are appropriately prioritised and addressed

General Management

• Support suppliers in their development of working practices, promoting an environment of continuous improvement

Other Duties

• Assist in providing general Digital and PMO services to/across the business as and when required

About you

General requirements are for a Chartered Engineer, or someone working towards this level, with appropriate Traction and Rolling Stock experience of 5 to 10 years. Alternatively, someone with a detailed knowledge of the rail industry with appropriate Traction and Rolling Stock experience. Previous experience of managing projects is essential. The incumbent shall be experienced in dealing with budgetary control, customer and supplier liaison

Skills / Experience

What you’ll need to have:

• Chartered Membership of Engineering Institution desirable but not essential
• Degree, HNC or equivalent in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering but note comments above regarding alternative appropriate Traction and Rolling Stock experience
• Good knowledge of railway industry rolling stock, organisation and players
• Knowledge of contractual obligations
• Good knowledge of project management tools
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques, algorithm development and/or software engineering is desirable
• Knowledge of agile project management methods

It would be great if you also had:

• Report writing and presentation skills
• Financial and budgeting awareness
• Organisational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy (especially Microsoft Office and database knowledge)

A great place to work

We have a collaborative work ethic with our team members across the company, and with our customers and suppliers. In Derby, London and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, all striving to drive excellence through strong partnerships that create value for all.

We promote a high-performing culture where everyone is supported to achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. We have a close-knit, diverse team that looks out for each other, and supports our colleagues, communities and the next generation of the railway family.

In recognition of this we have been awarded:

• Investors in People Gold accreditation
• Investors in People ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ Gold accreditation
• Engineering and Safety Award Railway Innovation 2025

These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.

To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.

We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

• 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
• Financial wellbeing support
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced Armed Forces policies
• Ongoing support with professional and personal development
• Long service awards
• 25 days’ annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days’ additional leave
• Additional days annual leave for long service
• Free parking and electric vehicle charging are available at our Derby office
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.

Accessibility

We’re committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at [e-mail] We’ll be happy to discuss how we can assist.