Arterio Programme Director

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

South Western Railway is transforming its network with the rollout of our new Arterio fleet – a significant and high-profile step forward in modernising the customer experience across our routes. Several units are already in daily service, with more being introduced over time.

We are now seeking an experienced Programme and Business Change Leader to join us on an interim basis (6–12 months) to take ownership of this next stage and ensure the programme is structured for long-term success. We have recently enhanced the programme and its governance and as well as continuing the delivery of the fleet, there is a need to consider the broader and longer-term business change programme that underpins the full success of this transformation, across South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex.

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the UK's most ambitious rail transformation programmes. You'll help ensure that the Arterio fleet not only enters service smoothly but delivers long-term value across the business and for our customers.

Main responsibilities:

• Directly manage a programme team and hold functional accountability across business areas.
• Define and document the full scope of fleet-related business change activities required over the next five years – incorporating both current and future phases of the Arterio rollout.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to map out delivery timescales, interdependencies, and resource needs across all programme elements.
• Consider and manage key external interfaces.
• Approach and lead the programme with true partnership with Network Rail.
• Establish a clear and sustainable transition plan, integrating the programme into the existing SWR Projects and Change team structure.

You'll need:

• A strong track record of leading complex business change and transformation programmes, ideally within rail, transport, or other regulated industries.
• Expertise in programme governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
• A pragmatic and collaborative approach, with the ability to quickly assess, shape, and stabilise delivery environments.
• Confidence operating at both strategic and delivery levels to embed effective long-term change.

Working pattern

You will be working an average of 37 hours, typically Monday - Friday with some out of hours and weekend working as required.

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/