Policy Managers Rail Group

Do you enjoy working in a fast paced and exciting environment? Would the opportunity to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including Ministers, industry, passenger representative groups, and the public to deliver on challenging and significantly large projects worth billions of pounds motivate you?

Rail Group is responsible for taking Britain's railway into the future - delivering a sustainable and customer-focused railway which puts passengers at the heart of the journey. Rail Group was created in 2013, bringing together the Department's interests in rail - strategy, franchising, commercial and major projects - into one centralised team. In Rail Group we are working on a diverse range of exciting projects - from making wifi available on trains, to procuring and managing 15 franchises worth billions of pounds, to overseeing large scale, infrastructure projects such as Crossrail and Thameslink - not to mention working in partnership with Ministers and a range of private and public sector stakeholders.

The scope is immense and the opportunity to influence policy, project delivery and commercial contracts is what makes a job in Rail Group a challenging and rewarding experience - and you don't have to be interested in trains!

You will be working in a varied and dynamic environment, with a wide range of Government Departments, industry stakeholders, Ministers and passenger representative groups to improve the passenger experience.

Watch our video to find out what it's like to work in Rail Group .

Depending on your skills, strengths and experience, you may be matched to a role in one of the following directorates within Rail Group:

Rail Strategy, Reform and Analysis Directorate plays a central role in delivering ministers' overall objectives for the railway, providing the strategic context within which all of Rail Group's work is delivered. The Rail Strategy Projects division deals with long-term strategic issues facing the railway, including the long-term vision for the railway; rail freight policy; the strategic relationship between Government and Network Rail, with a focus on how structures and incentives can best be aligned to optimise performance and value for money; and the implications and opportunities for Rail of the UK's exit from the European Union.

Passenger Services Design Directorate is responsible for the design, procurement and performance of the day-to-day management of passenger railway service contracts in England and Wales and for the passenger experience. It also ensures a consistent approach to rail policy areas delivered through franchise contracts with Train Operating Companies, and their implementation. The Passenger Services Policy team leads on key areas of policy relating to the passenger experience, including fares & ticketing and passenger rights, stations and community rail, and devolution of rail services.

Network Services Directorate is focused on modernising our railways to enable more seats, more services and faster journeys and the effective transfer of goods and services. The Directorate is to ensure that Government funded investments in the railway infrastructure are effectively planned, prioritised and delivered. This includes sponsoring and overseeing Network Rail's vast investment programme and future track investment. It also includes opening up access to the railways by delivering new stations and step free access at others across the country.

One Railway and Security Directorate has a diverse and far reaching portfolio with its overarching aim to ensure the railways in the UK are safe, secure and fully integrated. The Directorate is responsible for: ensuring the creation of a single rail network encompassing both high speed and conventional rail services; all activity led or overseen by Rail Group is managed as a single integrated and efficient portfolio; and managing the range of national security risks to the land transport networks and to support an efficient and timely response to incidents; and improving competitiveness of the UK rail supply chain, maintaining high levels of safety and protecting current and future UK economic and commercial interests in relation to cross-Channel rail.

These are diverse and challenging roles which will suit motivated team players who are able to quickly get to grips with rail strategy and policy. As a Policy Manager within Rail Group, you can expect to be responsible for:

• Leading policy and strategy development, working with as range of stakeholders, including industry and cross-Government contacts and legal and corporate finance experts. You will be expected to tackle key policy challenges and areas of likely ministerial interest, influencing and keeping senior colleagues appropriately engaged
• Overseeing project planning and reporting, risk management, and quality assurance processes, in conjunction with PPM specialists
• Providing leadership and management of individuals and small teams (where appropriate) to ensure team members are supported, stretched and reach their full potential
• Contributing to divisional resourcing plans and recruitment activities

Full details of these exciting roles can be found via the attached Role Profile.

This is a great time to join Rail Group, situated within the Department of Transport. We are responsible for taking Britain's railway into the future, by delivering a sustainable and customer-focused railway which puts passengers/end users at the heart of every journey.

We plan to do this by building a transport system that works by:

• Making journeys better - simpler, faster, and more reliable as well as affordable
• Ensuring that every part of Britain benefits from a growing economy
• Investing to bring our country together, including building a Northern Powerhouse
• Making transport safer and more sustainable.

At the Department for Transport we offer a flexible and supportive working environment that includes remote working, career development opportunities, a generous pension plan, improved work/life balance and 25-30 days annual leave.

We are also proud to announce that the Department is in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women in 2017, in recognition of its leadership on workplace gender equality. We've made great strides in raising the number of women in senior positions.

Competencies

We'll assess you against these competencies during the selection process:

• Making effective decisions
• Seeing the big picture
• Leading and communicating
• Delivering at pace
• Achieving commercial outcomes

Civil Service Competency Framework

Benefits

Pensions
Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits
Besides the rewarding nature of the job itself, the benefits that come with it are excellent. The package includes generous leave entitlement, attractive pension options, flexible working and other policies to enable a good work/life balance, including beneficial childcare arrangements. You'll also benefit from our commitment to nurturing and developing talent.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks .

Nationality statement
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules .

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details
To apply

Please use your CV and Personal Statement to provide information on your suitability for the role and to evidence when you have:

• Led policy and strategy development and implementation in a fast paced and complex environment
• Confidently engaged with internal/external stakeholders and colleagues to identify the main issues in complex problems and generate solutions
• Worked collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve commitment to shared goals in a changing environment.

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions about your strengths or how you would respond in any particular situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements
Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.