Consultant – Rail Operations & Performance

Location: GB.United Kingdom

Overview

Help Shape and Deliver the Future of Rail Operations

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and commercially minded consultant to join our Rail Operations & Performance team. You will combine practical rail operations knowledge with project management experience to help clients define, mobilise and deliver complex operational, strategic and transformation initiatives. Working with senior consultants, technical specialists and client teams, you will take responsibility for defined workstreams and smaller assignments. Your work will support improvements in operational performance, safety, service reliability, passenger experience and asset utilisation, as well as the successful delivery of major rail programmes and organisational change.

This is an opportunity to apply your rail industry experience in a client-facing consultancy environment, lead high-quality analysis and delivery, manage stakeholders and contribute to the continued growth of our rail operations advisory capability.

Your role

• Manage defined workstreams and smaller consultancy assignments from initiation through to delivery.
• Apply rail operations knowledge to assess current performance, operating arrangements, processes and interfaces.
• Develop project plans, schedules, governance, risk controls and progress reporting.
• Analyse operational and business data to identify risks, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead or support workshops, interviews and stakeholder meetings with operational, technical and management teams.
• Prepare clear, evidence-based reports, business cases, presentations and recommendations for clients.
• Support bids, client development and the continuous improvement of our rail advisory services.
• Plan and deliver consultancy assignments in accordance with agreed scope, programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Manage project controls, including schedules, actions, risks, issues, dependencies, change and status reporting.
• Assess rail operating models, operational processes, performance, capacity, timetable and control interfaces to identify practical improvements.
• Translate complex operational evidence into options, recommendations, implementation plans and business cases.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs across operations, engineering, digital, planning, safety and project delivery disciplines.
• Build effective relationships with client stakeholders, facilitate decision-making and communicate delivery priorities clearly.
• Produce and quality-assure client-facing reports, presentations, plans and governance documentation.
• Monitor delivery performance and take timely action to resolve issues or escalate risks.
• Support and coach junior colleagues, providing clear direction and constructive review of their work.
• Contribute to proposals, estimating, client account development and wider practice initiatives.

About you

Essential

• Relevant professional experience in rail operations, transport consultancy, project delivery or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable project management experience, including planning, governance, risk and issue management, stakeholder coordination and reporting.
• Good understanding of the rail operating environment and the interfaces between operators, infrastructure, timetable planning, control, engineering and customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn evidence into practical recommendations.
• Confident written and verbal communication, including experience engaging client and operational stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work with limited supervision and maintain high standards of quality.
• A collaborative, proactive and commercially aware approach.
• A degree or equivalent relevant professional experience; a recognised project management qualification is desirable.

What We Offer

A varied portfolio of rail operations, transformation and project delivery assignments.

Responsibility for meaningful workstreams with direct access to clients and senior specialists.

Opportunities to broaden your operational, consulting, commercial and leadership experience.

Support towards relevant professional and project management qualifications.

Coaching from experienced rail consultants and industry practitioners.

A clear pathway to senior consultancy and project leadership roles.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-UK#LI-ATKINS #LI-Transportation

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.