Head of Digital Systems and Software Rail

Purpose of the Job

• Responsible for coordinating all of the Digital and Software systems delivery across the programme.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining the vision and strategy for the Digital and Software systems
• Ensures that consistent standards and best practice for Digital Systems control is implemented across the programme.
• To be the guiding mind and technical champion for all Digital and Software systems, covering the final integration and transition to operations phases.
• Manages the transition from ‘the programme’, across to the operator and maintainer, ensuring that a transition plan exists and that a seamless transition is achieved to operational control and maintenance of the IT networks and digital systems.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop and deliver the Digital and Software management strategy for the programme, addressing the immediate challenges of configuration control and system validation and the longer-term needs of the system in conjunction with the Infrastructure managers (RfLi and TfL).
• Maintain strong stakeholder involvement to ensure consistency and compliance and adjoining networks of London Underground, Network Rail and Heathrow requirements.
• Lead end-to-end Digital change management required to improve, implement and embed digital systems, IT infrastructures and processes, with particular importance given to configuration definition and change management.
• Ensure best practices and processes for all delivered Digital and Software systems throughout.
• Develop and maintain strong and unambiguous relationships with lead engineers accountable for single asset classes or subsystems currently involved in digital systems integration and management (eg. signalling project engineers and asset engineers). Develop bespoke solutions to align common IT frameworks with existing railway management practice and process.
• Research solutions and make recommendations for the improvement of Digital and Software systems and infrastructure.
• Ensure teams are delivering to a common vision, plan and purpose, and that risks and issues are well-managed.
• Lead, coordinate and monitor the Digital and Software systems delivery, that meets the needs of the end users, Operators and Maintainers.
• Leads the technical relationships with software providers across the supply chain (where not covered by other arrangements) and Implement mechanisms to monitor, manage and provide progress on all software development activities across the programme.
• Create, implement and maintain a continuous improvement plan for Digital and Software development and IT infrastructure.
• Work with the Chief Information Security Officer to ensure that we deliver an electronically secure railway system for all Digital and Software systems.
• In conjunction with the Heads of Disciplines, define and maintain the IT technology strategy and infrastructure upgrade plans for each of the systems and sub-systems. Particular attention to longer term obsolescence management and management of systems upgrades required to maintain a robust railway.
• Reviewing and applying best practices to establish architecture and frameworks consistent with and supportive of delivery.
• Ensuring that technology standards and best practices for all Digital and Software systems are maintained across the Organisation.
• To drive consistent standards and approaches for all Digital and Software systems throughout the programme.
• To effectively transition the role, assets and processes to RfLi in a timely and seamless manner.
• Take reasonable care of your own and others’ health and safety and of those who may be affected in the day-to-day delivery of this role by taking personal responsibility for working to Target Zero principles.
• Co-operate in all matters relating to health and safety, including following safe working procedures at all times.
• Act as a role model for vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with Ways of Working. Encourage and support others to do so too
• Promote equality in the workplace and adopt appropriate behaviour when interacting with colleagues
• Take necessary care to properly protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of corporate information from unauthorised disclosure, modification or destruction. Never knowingly put information or information systems at risk

Main challenges of the job

This is a key appointment, carrying accountability for all Digital and Software systems on a major rail programme.

The primary challenge will be to successfully implement proven IT industry approaches to digital systems integration and operational control to a traditional railway environment, where technical control is still exerted within traditional railway functions and using legacy processes and working practices. This will require unquestionable IT technical skills and experience, the ability to architect a bespoke approach to IT management that will meet the needs of the project and the Elizabeth Line and proven soft-skills in communication and influencing change within a culture which values its traditional organisation structures and processes.

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional qualification in a digital or software engineering discipline.
• Substantial experience in the delivery of major IT projects, preferably in rail / major public infrastructure.
• Extensive experience of leading Digital and Software systems engineering delivery.
• An excellent working knowledge of Health & Safety and Environmental issues within a safety critical environment.
• Proven experience of implementing bespoke IT / Digital management frameworks – large scale integration of IT – large scale operational configuration and control of IT systems.
• Excellent written, oral presentation and communication skills together with strong inter-personal skills and experience.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary management team and within a matrix organisational structure.

Desirable

• Previous experience in the delivery at a senior level of a major rail project / major safety critical engineering project.
• Good appreciation of railway / other safety critical engineering approval and verification processes.
• Experience of transitioning new safety critical infrastructure into operations.
• A good understanding of the construction techniques for the creation of a modern transport facility.
• A good understanding of the integration of complex infrastructure with existing facilities or protection of existing facilities.
• Good knowledge of the issues involved in the assessment and mitigation of environmental impacts.