**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. **A little more about your role…** This role is part of our Rail Systems Technology team which is a globally networked group of operations and engineering experts with an international footprint specialising in providing strategic advice around whole system rail operations within the Rail sector. We specialise in providing advice around infrastructure and rolling stock operations and maintenance with a particular focus on establishing operational strategies, and concept of operations work for new and changed systems with a particular focus on introducing new technologies and rolling stock into operational service. The team has on-going projects in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Australasia and is looking to grow to support our offering and position of being the client advisor of choice and global leaders in providing these services. We are looking for an experienced people manager and consultant to join our existing team in the UK. We are flexible on location, as we have a range of WSP offices around the UK. We are not just a delivery team – we are advisors to some of the biggest projects in Europe and we provide insights and rail operations support across the lifecycle. The role will be a blend of people management of existing operational specialists coupled with consulting in your own right. On some projects you will be in the detail resolving issues, on others you will be providing strategic advice for operational changes or business cases. Customer-centric thinking is at the heart of WSP. This often leads us to work alongside clients in their offices and, with our expertise in demand globally, we also find ourselves travelling internationally. The role will involve people management of our Rail Operations and Maintenance Advisory team and will need close and collaborative working with other technical discipline experts from our wider Rail Advisory Services function as well as the wider WSP Rail organisation. This will require the ability to collaboratively work with colleagues with expertise across the whole rail system to drive optimised outcomes and recommendations which provide a best whole-system solution. This role goes beyond just day-to-day tactical operations and maintenance advice. We are here to promote and support the introduction of new and often complex technologies and explore what is possible integrating this into whole system focused solutions. Our clients come to us not just because we are operational and technical experts but because we work collaboratively with them to consider each problem and shape the solution on their behalf. We are a client facing team, so you need to be comfortable working with clients, both individually and as part of the Rail Advisory Services team; and we get involved in everything from detailed operational system specification and operational and design reviews, franchise advisory and business differentiation through to commissioning and bringing into use new technological solutions. Our approach is to provide robust and holistic solutions that future proof rail operations and acts as a strategic enabler. Because of our strong blend of technical insight and problem-solving ability we often get called in to act as trouble-shooters on difficult or complex projects – and whilst we prefer to work strategically, we have no problem getting hands-on where the role requires it. We seek to be entrepreneurial welcoming ideas, market insight and a flair for spotting an opportunity. **What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…** + Expertise in rail operations and/or rail asset management and maintenance for either infrastructure or rolling stock or both + Considering and developing the operational approaches for new and existing rail networks across light and heavy rail applications in both the UK and Globally. + An understanding of newer technologies into the rail industry and how these technologies could/will change the way the railways operates today. + Engaging clients directly to draw out their concerns and secure WSP work + People managing a team of Rail Operations and Maintenance experts + Mentoring junior and graduate staff and working within a Multi-discipline design team. + A qualified rail operator either with a degree or vocationally trained + Working towards or have achieved Chartered status + People Management experience of a small to medium size team or business unit + Understanding the whole rail system and how operations and engineering interface with knowledge of systems integration + Are comfortable writing papers and giving presentations, acting as the companies voice in industry. 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.** **\#LI-MA1** **We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!** In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world. When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Who We Are | WSP (https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/who-we-are) **WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU** **Work-life balance?** WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself. Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK. **Inclusivity & Diversity?** We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential. **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. Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation. **Flex your time?** For improved work life balance, WSP offers the “WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you. **Your development?** We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring. **APPLY NOW AND BE THE FUTURE OF WSP!** **\#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._ _Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date._