Assistant Project Manager

At the heart of the rail network for over three decades, Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.

By working together with our partners, we deliver high-quality, agile rolling stock solutions that ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, sustainable and fit for the future.

We don't just provide trains - we provide a customer-focused platform for long-term success. Since 1994, Porterbrook has invested over £4bn in new rolling stock including £1bn of capital in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure in the last five years.

With our strategic and empathetic funding solutions, we're actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead.

The successful candidate will be joining the Major Projects function, a small but focused projects team that deliver several of the complex, high value and diverse range of projects including New Build, New technology introductions, refurbishments, and infrastructure upgrades. Porterbrook works to deliver improvements for customers and passengers that add tangible value. The team is part of the Operations Directorate reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.

A great opportunity for an exceptional Assistant Project Manager, to join the Porterbrook team.

• Ensure vehicles are suitable for safe operation on the railway system, with due consideration to Porterbrook’s lease obligations
• Review National Incident Reports identified as affecting applicable rolling stock and coordinate the implementation of remedial actions as necessary
• Manage maintenance specifications to ensure that no undue risk is imported on to the running railway
• Recording vehicle modifications and following the required engineering change process

• Ensure that the projects allocated are managed to deliver their time, cost and quality objectives
• Undertake regular project reviews to monitor overall project performance and provide robust forecasts on costs vs budget where required
• Ensure all information, relevant to the projects that you manage and support, is shared within the business in a timely manner, including ensuring that logistics are kept up to date with project schedules
• Ensure Project Execution Plans (PEPs) and workbooks are up to date and are compiled in accordance with the issued Porterbrook Procedure
• Take part in weekly reviews and monthly contract reviews meetings as specified in the relevant contract and produce. Followed by issuing minutes in a timely manner.
• Manage Contract Variations ensuring that such variations are applicable and offer an acceptable value for money for the business
• Provide project management expertise to projects, ensure that all management aspects are in accordance with company standards and best practice
• Travel to and from both supplier depots and customer sites for project delivery requirements
• Maintain and review Additional Arising Work (AAW) logs for required projects
• Maintain and review risks with the Project Manager

General requirements are for an assistant project manager with a rail background, who can deal with customers and contractors in a commercial environment.

• Railway engineering knowledge preferable
• Degree, HNC or equivalent in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or working towards a Degree or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge of project management, ideally in rolling stock
• Knowledge of railway industry rolling stock, organisation and rail stakeholders
• Basic knowledge of contractual obligations and operating lease agreements
• Awareness of safety cases, certification issues, railway risks and group standards

• Project planning skills
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Financial and budgeting awareness
• Organisational skills
• Negotiation skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy
• Commercial/contractual awareness
• Customer facing and communication skills
• Investigative skills

We have a collaborative work ethic with our team members across the company, and with our customers and suppliers. In Derby, London and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, all striving to drive excellence through strong partnerships that create value for all.

We promote a…