Job Description

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 improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life.

SWR is part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

About the job

To lead the delivery of all projects and major improvements to stations and other SWR infrastructure to meet safety obligations, contractual commitments, regulatory output requirements, business and customer needs, as scoped and specified by the business.



To provide strategic direction on project delivery, programme management and change activity across the business



This role would ordinary act as the Deputy to the Director of Projects and Change

Your main responsibilities will be:

Oversee the delivery of the SWR projects capital works programme, as set out in our Business Plan, through the different portfolio teams reporting to this post Ensure effective and efficient delivery of Projects in conjunction with Network Rail to deliver in line with a lowest whole life cost approach, best practice and legal requirements. Manage and direct the Project teams to achieve business and functional objectives and meet key performance measures and that project progress and risks are clearly reported. Champion the effective liaison with internal and external stakeholders in order to maximize the benefits of service and project delivery for them and to realize added value from any investment. Develop and oversee the robust procurement of contracts for the good and services necessary to meet business goals. Engage closely and collaboratively with all department taking the lead to shape project roadmaps and execution schedules; Ensure that value for money is achieved and that all contracts are closely monitored and financial performance is appropriately measured and reported on. Work with other FirstGroup Rail businesses and FRH to ensure that a consistent Group approach to project delivery and project management is maintained and that any economies from joint working can be realised.

As a minimum, you will need to have:

Significant experience and professionally qualified in programme and project management and associated procurement and legislative framework (including Health and Safety) and ideally experience of construction in the railway technical environment at a senior management level Team player who can influence deliver change across organizational boundaries and can bring people together to deliver programmes and projects that explicitly meet the needs to the business. Knowledgeable in the use of risk registers and risk management tools to mitigate the impact of changing circumstances on delivery. Commercial acumen, with previous strong project budget experience and Commercial Contract experience Continuous Improvement ethos and drive to strive improve the way the business delivers projects and change Senior level experience of managing people and resources. Excellent communicator and stakeholder manager.

About the location

South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport.

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days , office hours

Flexibility depending on business needs plus on call commitment

The Reward

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


Free duty 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 Large range of exclusive retail offers Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR.

FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, 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.



We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.



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.