Joint Planning & Performance Director

Who are we?

Network Rail (NR) are committed to deliver a plan that centres around their passengers, putting them at the heart of everything they do and focusing on improvements which will make a difference to their journeys. 

The Wessex route covers the major commuter area of south west London, as well as from London Waterloo to the south and south west of England. The route is one of the busiest on the rail network, running through Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across this network and employs more than 5,000 people. Providing 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

Are you ready for a new challenge and want to play a part in shaping the future of rail travel across one of the UK's busiest networks?

South Western Railway and Network Rail are looking for an experienced strategic leader to take on the role of Joint Planning & Performance Director – a critical joint leadership position responsible for defining the long-term direction of rail services and operational excellence across the SWR network.

Your main responsibilities will be:

This unique opportunity sits at the heart of our integrated railway between South Western Railway and Network Rail, with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of train planning, service performance and engineering access.

You'll lead the development and execution of our short, medium, and long-term train service planning strategies, delivering world-class services for customers, enabling robust performance, and driving value for taxpayers. You'll manage a cross-industry team and embed a data-led, customer-focused approach to every aspect of timetable planning, access management, and service delivery.

As the Joint Planning & Performance Director, you will be accountable for:

• Strategic Timetable Planning & Delivery: Setting the planning direction for train services, engineering access, and risk management to meet business plan targets.
• Timetable & Operational Readiness: Ensuring timetables are optimised, performance-led, and meet the Train Service Specification.
• Performance & Data Excellence: Building a high-performing analytics function that turns complex data into actionable insight.
• Business Continuity & Governance: Overseeing contingency planning and ensuring consistent governance across all planning and performance activity.
• Stakeholder Leadership: Collaborating across the industry, including other train operators, freight operators, TfL, government partners and developing productive relationships with trade unions and senior stakeholders.

You'll need to have:

• Proven leadership experience in operational or performance management, preferably in transport or infrastructure.
• Demonstrable experience of influencing cross-industry and cross-functional stakeholders at the most senior levels.
• A strong commercial mindset and financial acumen, with the ability to align business planning with customer needs and regulatory requirements.
• Experience working with the Network Code and Track Access Conditions.
• The ability to develop and lead high-performing, analytical teams and embed data-led decision making across a large organisation.
• Exceptional communication and strategic thinking skills, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• A passion for delivering exceptional customer outcomes.

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

Expected travel across the SWR network 

Will include Exec team On-Call commitment 

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty, residential and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

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/neurodiversit