Portfolio Planning Manager

Do you have the drive, enthusiasm, and a passion to help take the North further? If yes, then come and be part of our amazing team here at TransPennine Express. We are an intercity train company connecting people and communities across our cities and major towns in the North of England and Scotland. Together we will continue to transform rail travel with faster, easier journeys that offer a step change in services with our fleet of new high-tech trains.
The North is a vibrant place to live and work, and here at TransPennine Express, our services are helping to keep the country moving. If you want to be involved in something truly transformative, that will have a lasting impact on how we travel, then please join us, and help us to take the North further.
Job Summary
The Portfolio Planning Manager holds a critical leadership role within the Integrated PMO (iPMO) function of the Major Projects Directorate at TransPennine Express. Your primary responsibility is to lead and oversee all scheduling activities for projects and programmes within the directorate’s diverse enhancements portfolio. This involves creating, maintaining, and owning multiple schedules across various projects and programmes, ensuring effective scheduling at both Level 1 and Level 2 to facilitate successful project delivery.
The role requires holding project managers, senior project managers, and Programme Managers accountable for adhering to agreed-upon schedules and offering support and guidance in schedule remodelling or re-planning when necessary. Additionally, a key aspect of this role involves collaborating closely with Industry Partners to align TPE schedules with industry-wide scheduling, contributing to an integrated programme plan for our core TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme.
Leadership Responsibilities
Responsible leadership and line management duties for the PMO Planner.
Engaging and inspiring team members, ensuring accountability for actions and business performance.
Continuous development and role modelling of leadership skills and company values.
Specific Experience, Knowledge, Qualification, and Training Requirements

Deep and broad knowledge of programme/project management in the context of complex business change projects.
Proven track record of delivering large complex capital or change projects.
Hold a recognised Project Management qualification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, MSP).
Experience working within large, complex organisations.
Track record of balancing competing priorities.
Significant and successful experience of enhancing project management maturity through new processes, systems, team working, and training initiatives.
Experienced reviewer of projects and documentation.
Experience running a knowledge management function at a portfolio level in a major organisation.
Degree qualified or suitable professional experience.
Experience leading a team, demonstrating capability in matrix management of project teams (preferable).
Prior experience with project management tools, project reporting, and risk identification.
Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
Tact, diplomacy, tenacity, and an ability to manage upwards to have a positive impact and influence key decisions.
Understanding of railway infrastructure, operations, and Network Rail organisational delivery (preferable).

Contact with Internal and External Customers

Engage with the Executive and Senior Leadership team.
Collaborate with the Major Projects team and Project Management Organisation.
Foster relationships with all functions within TransPennine Express.
Communicate effectively with Network Rail and consultants.
Establish connections with all other operators.
Interact with key stakeholders like DfT, RNP, TfN, WYCA, TfGM, etc.

General Knowledge

Proficiency in P6 Primavera.
Strong MS PowerPoint skills & experience.
Strong facilitation skills.
Familiarity with project management methodologies.
Proficient in IT systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other project management and collaboration tools (preferable).
Ability to convey complex information in a concise and clearly understood manner.
Awareness of Rail Industry structure, contractual framework, and/or regulated utilities (preferable).

If that sounds like the right fit for you, we’d love to hear from you, please visit Search Page (firstgroup.co.uk), complete an application form and upload a copy of your CV and a Covering Letter.
Benefits & Perks
What can we offer you?

Excellent career prospects.
A personal development plan.
Fully funded structured training and development*.
Competitive salary paid on 4 weekly basis.
Generous annual leave entitlement.
Free TransPennine Express rail travel for you and your dependants*.
Travel discounts of up to 75% off other train operating companies, plus international rail travel after 1 years’ service* for you and your dependants*.
Free & Confidential Employee Assistance Program and Wellbeing Portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any finance, family, health, or wellbeing issues you have. We make sure there’s someone on-hand to offer guidance, advice, and useful information for our people when they are experiencing hardship at work or at home.
Option to join the Railway Pension Scheme with significant employer contributions.
Family friendly maternity and paternity benefits.
Plus, high street and lifestyle discounts as well as a cycle to work scheme*.

Terms and conditions apply.

Help take the north further.
Why Work with us?
Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into rail. We want the best people for our roles. We are proud of our region and committed to connecting and reflecting the diverse communities that we serve across the North of England and Scotland. Our values are central to this, especially being ‘Supportive of each other’. As an inclusive employer we value individuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief.