About us 
Transport for London (TfL) plays a key role in shaping what life is like in London. Our transport infrastructure and public transport network is admired around the world. We are literally changing London for the future – making it one of the best cities to live, work and visit and we now play a key role in London’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prior to 2020, the Tube network carried over 1.35 billion customer journeys each year. There were over 2 billion passenger journeys made by local buses in London and there were an additional 116 million journeys made on the Docklands Light Railway. To meet the needs of our customers, now and for the future, we’re providing the modern, affordable, safe and sustainable transport network London needs. 

We’re now seeking a technical Head of Profession – Road & Rail Traffic Control Systems, to join us to lead a skilled team of around 200 Engineers to support all TfL traffic control and railway signalling systems, and provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders both internally and externally. 

About the role 
This is a Pan-TfL role that will include working with one of the largest operating units within TfL, the London Underground (LU).  The Head of Profession – Road & Rail Traffic Control Systems, is the leading technical authority for this discipline and will provide technical support to all other areas of the TfL business including Streets, London Trams, DLR, and London Overground.  These systems range from “state of the art” to those dating back many decades and are installed within infrastructure that is itself up to 160 years old.

You’ll also be accountable for ensuring compliance with all relevant legislative requirements and provide the technical direction to all related engineering activity. Alongside this, you will provide leadership, constructive challenge and support TfL against the biggest challenges, whilst maintaining alignment to our cost saving and growth agendas.
  
You’ll be an advocate for modernisation and transformation and have the drive and ability to create an inclusive and positive culture across your immediate team and more widely across TfL.   

Reporting into the Head of Transport Systems, you will be responsible for ensuring that the road and rail traffic control systems are safe, legal and functional. Developing, implementing and maintaining the pan-TfL asset strategy, to identify and meet the ongoing business requirements will be one of your key priorities in this role. You will work across the asset lifecycle from involvement in strategy, design, procurement and assurance through to support to operations and maintenance.

Your key stakeholders will be delivery Directors within the TfL organisation in respect of the safety, reliability and long-term sustainability of TfL’s multitude of road and rail traffic control systems. You’ll also be a critical stakeholder in negotiation around future investment and the prioritisation of investment plans. Alongside internal stakeholders, you will be the main point of contact for the rail regulators on traffic and train control systems issues, including the Office of Rail and Road, Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Safety Authorities. 

Leading a large team of around 200 Engineers you’ll form part of the TfL Engineering leadership team and support the development and implementation of TfL’s overall people plan, ensuring the continuous development of your team. 

About you 
You’ll likely be an experienced Technical Leader, already operating at the Head of or Director level within a large and complex operational organisation. This could be either internally or acting as a consultant or advisor. As this role holds the position of senior technical authority, you’ll have a rail signalling and control systems engineering background and be a confident and competent leader in your field.  Alongside this, you’re driven to add value to the business and improve business efficiency. 

You’ll ideally be a senior member of a relevant professional institution, such as the IET or IRSE or have the equivalent experience. Your technical experience will be blended with a commercial acumen and ability to translate technical requirements to various audiences to drive excellence across the TfL and engineering function. 

Alongside a strong and progressive technical background, you’ll also continuously be championing change and leading by example showing strong leadership behaviours. It is crucial for all of our leaders to display positive leadership behaviours for our next cohort of internal leaders to look and aspire to and our current stakeholders to collaborate with. 

Efficiency, productivity, innovation and customer service lie at the heart of what we do. We are excited about the journey we’re on and we are looking for leaders who believe in our journey too.

How to apply

Please submit your most recent CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you possess that are relevant to this role.