My client is responsible for the biggest rail construction project in Europe, helping to improve London's commuter infrastructure.

Due to an increase in project workload they require Head of Digital Systems and Software to hit the ground running and become a vital part of the team on a fixed term contract through until September 2021.

As the Head of Digital Systems and Software reporting to the Technical Director, you will provide a vital service to the programme providing the latest skills and experience in digital systems integration. The role will enhance the existing digital integration skills we have on the programme which have been primarily focussed on the safety critical train and signalling systems to date.

Purpose

• 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 programme 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.

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.
• Maintain strong stakeholder involvement to ensure consistency and compliance with the business 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 the programme.
• 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 programme Chief Information Security Officer to ensure that the programme delivers 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 programme 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 the programmes 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 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 the programme 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 the programmes vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with programmes 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 the programmes information or information systems at risk

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 programme and proven soft-skills in communication and influencing change within a culture which values its traditional organisation structures and processes.

Dimensions & Interfaces (both internal and external)

The post holder is the principal advocate of technical excellence and technical safety & security for Digital and Software systems within the Technical Directorate.

The post holder is responsible for the management of circa 5 direct reports.

The post holder will have defined technical delegated authority from the Chief Engineer for Digital and Software systems engineering.

Key working relationships

• Technical Director
• Chief Engineer
• Chief Information Security Officer
• Heads of Discipline
• Functional and Delivery Teams across the integrated organisation
• Functional and Asset Management teams within the operations and maintenance organisation.
• Sponsors - Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL)
• Industry Partners (Network Rail, London Underground, Rail for London, DLR), Canary Wharf and Berkeley Homes

6. 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.

If you have carried out this function in a large infrastructure programme environment and this opportunity sounds like the position for you, then please get in touch or apply today. A full job description is available upon request,

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This vacancy is being advertised by Advanced Resource Managers. ARM is a specialist talent acquisition and management consultancy. We provide technical contingency recruitment and a portfolio of more complex resource solutions.

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