Programme Manager

Closing Date for Applications ; 17th February 2026

Salary Range : £59,031 - £80,079

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) partners with Britain’s train operators to put customers at the heart of everything we do, delivering essential services and dedicated experts who keep the nation’s railway running efficiently.

We believe that the art of programme management is the balance of inspiring a shared strategic vision with co-ordinating multiple workstreams and providing direction across project teams. As a programme manager your role is to deliver programmes, projects and other initiatives across the whole lifecycle within scope, time and budget. You will need to manage and nurture key Stakeholder relationships whilst following the RDG Project Delivery Framework and encouraging others to also. This role will be measured by the successful delivery of programmes within both our organisation, and where appropriate our member organisations too.

This role will lead the RDG delivery of the Welcome Points rollout programme, which will deliver a phased rollout of between 700-1000 Welcome Points across stations in England, following a successful 3-month trial in 2025. This programme represents a significant opportunity to improve accessibility for disabled passengers, support station modernisation and contribute to a more accessible and inclusive rail network.

What can I expect to do in this job?

Working for the Programme Director and other internal or external stakeholders, you can expect to be involved in the following:

• Lead the programme – represent it, resolve blockers, have a strong and capable team, set direction and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Establish, maintain and manage programme and project plans, tracking and monitoring progress and issues and taking necessary actions and decisions
• Develop and maintain productive and professional stakeholder relationships to ensure that programmes are delivering to industry needs and realising the required benefits
• Manage risks, issues and change. Initiate corrective action against identified risks and issues to achieve programme objectives. Manage change considering business benefit and impact on costs and time
• Set up the appropriate governance for the Programme in line with RDG’s existing governance structure. Responsible for providing reports and papers for that governance and stakeholders
• Line & matrix manage and support project delivery teams in their day-to-day delivery achieve the performance needed to successfully deliver the objectives of programmes
• Adhere to RDG Project Delivery Framework standards and procedures and identify and implement improvements to these standards and procedures.
• Manage Programmes of value of between £5m and £15m.
• Lead engagement with DfT, GBR, TOCs and accessibility stakeholders to support the national rollout and strengthen collaboration
• Represent the Welcome Points programme at Programme Boards and senior forums, clearly articulating scope, timelines, and progress.
• Represent the programme at events and forums, championing and promoting the initiative
• Coordinate strategic stakeholder engagement to support station selection, deployment planning, and industry alignment.

 

 

Requirements

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

Essential Criteria

• Broad vocational experience ideally within Transport, Travel, Retail, Utilities, Professional Services
• Experience working with both Agile and Prince 2 methodologies, qualified in programme management (e.g. Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)
• Delivery of programmes/projects within the agreed constraints of time, budget and high-level scope. This includes demonstrated experience in prioritising activities (including where necessary supplier priorities) and ensuring appropriate actions are regarding managing issues and risks and approving changes.
• Experience of delivering programmes or projects with multiple external stakeholders
• Ability to make decisions relating to project priorities, change management (e.g. scope, time, contractual), financial and commercial changes.
• Experienced in developing project plans for and assuring delivery of priority projects.
• Identifying and documenting risks, issues, dependencies, assumptions and decisions and the associated management, with the appropriate action owner, to remediate.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, leading and getting the best out of project teams and individuals
• Excellent communication skills, liaising with all senior executives, stakeholders, Industry boards and project team members, through the provision of high-quality multi-media reports, presentations, demonstrations and focus groups to influence decisions, make recommendations and provide support on business management.
• The ability to think strategically in your approach to delivery of the project aims.
• Experience of managing high impacting programmes of between £5m and £15m.
• Experience working in accessibility and/or customer experience programmes
• Confident influencing skills, including senior-level engagement
• Ability to manage sensitive policy, operational and stakeholder issues

Benefits

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts.
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Season ticket loan for commuting costs.
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave.
• Pension scheme – up to 11.58% employer contribution.
• Private medical insurance (Vitality PPP) including mental health and specialist care.
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes.

Career Development & Progression

You’ll be part of a team driving innovation at a national scale, with the opportunity to influence long-term ticketing strategy. This role provides real ownership, the chance to work with leading-edge technologies and partners, and visibility at senior levels across the rail industry. You’ll also gain wide exposure to transport and government stakeholders, opening up exciting development and progression opportunities within RDG.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you are interested in joining RDG as a Programme Manager and shaping the future of digital ticketing, we’d love to hear from you!

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.