Midlands Rail Hub Service Development Manager

Midlands Rail Hub Service Development Manager

Application Deadline: 27 July 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract (24 months)

Location: Head Office - Birmingham

Reporting To: Business Operations Strategy Manager

Compensation: Up to £70,000 depending on experience

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative individual to act as the key link between WM Trains (WMT) and the Midlands Rail Hub (MRH) Programme. This role will act as a single point of contact to represent WMT's interests, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and ensure infrastructure developments support operational performance, customer experience and future growth.

Working across multiple organisations, you will provide operational expertise, influence programme decisions, and help shape future depot and stabling arrangements.

Please note this role is a 24 month fixed term contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as WMT's lead contact for all MRH Programme-related activities
• Represent WMT at programme meetings and coordinate business input across stakeholders
• Develop depot and stabling strategies to support current and future operations
• Assess operational, maintenance, safety and commercial impacts of infrastructure proposals
• Identify and manage risks, ensuring appropriate mitigations are in place
• Support operational readiness, including training, staffing and maintenance requirements
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful programme delivery
• Provide updates and briefings on programme developments and impacts
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, customer experience and business outcomes

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to manage competing priorities and make informed decisions
• Collaborative approach with the confidence to challenge constructively
• Strategic thinking and a continuous improvement mindset
• Knowledge of railway operations and infrastructure impacts
• Experience working within complex programmes, projects or operational environments
• Understanding of operational, maintenance, safety and commercial considerations
• Understanding of depot, stabling or operational planning
• Ability to use data and operational insight to inform decisions
• Experience assessing risks and supporting business change is desirable

Commitment Required

To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.

Benefits

• A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK
• Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents
• 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents
• 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network
• A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household
• Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
• Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles
• A retail discount portal – offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants