Rail Operational Planner (Senior/Principal Consultant)

WSP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Greater London is seeking a Rail Operational Planner to enhance its advisory and engineering services for rail operations. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in operational planning to deliver effective timetabling and assessments in both national and international projects. This role involves client relationship management, project leadership, and providing technical guidance to meet diverse stakeholder requirements. A minimum of five years' experience in the rail industry is essential, along with a strong focus on collaborative client engagement.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health and Wellbeing programs

Employee training and development opportunities

Company discounts on gym memberships

Qualifications

• At least five years' experience in Rail Operational Planning.
• Knowledge of UK rail industry structure and client needs.
• Ability to apply the Network Code.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver projects on railway planning and operation.
• Build and maintain collaborative client relationships.
• Provide technical leadership in operational planning.
• Produce concise reports and proposals for clients.

Skills

Timetabling

Operational Planning

Client Relationship Management

Problem Solving

Project Management

Education

Relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Our Rail Client Advisory and Engineering Services group within the Rail business is seeking an experienced Rail Operational Planner to support the continued growth of our services. This role will be akin to an Operational Planning Manager, STP/LTP Timetable Manager, Strategic Timetable Manager, or Senior Timetable Manager role. In your role you will build on the existing capabilities across operational planning, system capability analysis and modelling and simulation. You will be part of a group that is a trusted advisory and delivery partner to transport businesses and governments both in the UK and overseas. We have a strong track record of providing a wide portfolio of rail advice to our clients and pride ourselves on our forward thinking and record of successful project delivery.

You will apply your experience to heavy, light, high-speed passenger or freight rail projects to lead and deliver iTSS assessments, capacity studies, timetables and operational plans that meet client and wider stakeholder requirements. This includes identifying appropriate infrastructure and/or service changes working with the project team as well as clients/TOCs/FOCs to determine the optimal solution. Projects range from single discipline studies to complex multi-disciplinary projects, including franchising and concession tendering, and span across a UK and international client base.

You will act in a work winning and client relationship managing role. In this situation you would be using your experience to plan, develop and deliver competitively positioned tender responses. You will be able to build client relationships to develop trust and gather intelligence to support work winning activities. You may also take on internal project management roles to drive successful delivery of projects.

Our Rail Client Advisory and Engineering Services team helps our clients solve the most complex rail transportation problems. Whether for a new or existing railway, public or private sector, passenger or freight services, we use strategic and critical thinking together with understanding of how a railway system can be operated to deliver the outcomes of moving people and goods to deliver social, economic, and environmental value. You will support this through providing hands‑on consulting to help us solve these complex problems.

A little more about your role…

As a Rail Operational Planner, you'll be used to facing a wide range of technical, commercial, people and other challenges across business and project activities. The role has a series of core responsibilities which are broadly as follows:

• Building and maintaining strong collaborative client relationships with infrastructure managers, government and devolved bodies, train/freight operating companies
• Leading and delivering projects focused on the planning, operation and performance of the railway
• Providing technical leadership and expertise in the area of operational planning
• Actively engaged in client facing roles
• Responsible for quality assurance, checking and approving analysis and reports delivered by the team
• Producing clearly written, concise and professional quality reports and proposals to our clients
• Developing the pipeline of work through client engagement and work winning activities

In addition, you will be passionate about people development, and support the development of advisors, engineers and leaders coming through the business. You'll be passionate, engaging, energetic and articulate when bringing diverse, multi-disciplinary teams together to address the range of challenges our clients face. You'll also understand the importance of implementing robust systems and processes to ensure that our bid and projects deliver value for money in achieving client goals and requirements as well as cost and programme targets.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• A proven track record in providing timetabling or Rail Operational Planning with at least five years' experience, for example as an Operational Planner, STP/LTP Timetable Planner, Strategic Timetable Planner or Senior Timetable Planner.
• Knowledge of UK rail industry structure with an understanding of what our railways major clients need, both nationally and internationally, and how we best tailor our services and build robust and lasting relationships.
• An ability to apply the Network Code.
• An ability to establish, build, sustain and share strong, professional relationships with relevant groups both inside and outside the organisation. You're naturally driven to exceed client expectations.
• An ability to reason logically and apply a systematic process to finding solutions, proactive in responding to problems, able to apply sound logic in situations of ambiguity and problem‑solving methodologies across a range of circumstances. A desire to constantly improve, motivate and encourage others.
• A forward‑thinking mindset, capable of visualising and planning for the longer term.
• Actively champion sharing knowledge, ideas, and intelligence. Strong presentation skills influential and persuasive internally and externally, encourages open dialogue and feedback.
• A desire to develop and secure opportunities through active business development and work winning activities.

Don't quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work‑life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.