Systems Project Manager

Systems Project Manager | £500 to £650 per day (Inside IR35)

Location: Hybrid (3 days Central London office, 2 days remote) with occasional travel to depots.
Contract Length: 12 Months Initial Contract

About the Opportunity:

One of London's leading Train Operating Companies (TOCs) is embarking on a critical journey to modernise its operational systems, making significant investments to enhance efficiency and reliability across its extensive network. As part of this ambitious programme, they are upgrading a vital stock management software, "Genius," to its next generation.

We are seeking a highly experienced and technically astute Systems Project Manager on an initial 12-month contract to lead the implementation of this crucial system upgrade from the business's perspective. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a transformation programme, ensuring the operational systems are future-proofed and meet the demanding needs of a modern railway.

The Role:

As the Systems Project Manager, you will be the central figure driving the successful upgrade of the "Genius" systems used for stock management and complex rostering. While external partners will handle the software development, your expertise will be critical in coordinating internal efforts, ensuring business readiness, and acting as the pivotal liaison between the TOC and the software supplier.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Management:

• Lead and manage the "Genius" system upgrade project from inception to successful delivery within the 12-month programme timeline.
• Coordinate and motivate a small internal project team, including subject matter experts (SMEs), to contribute to detailed design, testing, and implementation activities.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, progress reports, risk registers, and stakeholder communications.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management:

• Act as the primary point of contact and single source of truth between the TOC and the external software development supplier, ensuring clear communication and managing the supplier to agreed schedules and deliverables.
• Proactively engage with and manage diverse internal stakeholders, including operational teams, unions, and relevant department heads, ensuring their requirements are understood and incorporated, and managing expectations effectively.

System Implementation & Business Readiness:

• Oversee the business readiness aspects of the system upgrade, ensuring that operational teams are prepared for the transition and adoption of the new "Genius" system.
• Work closely with SMEs to facilitate the capture of detailed business requirements and ensure thorough testing of the new system.

Risk Management:

• Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks, developing mitigation strategies to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of the system upgrade.

Essential Experience & Skills to Secure an Interview:

• Proven Project Management Experience: Demonstrated success in managing and delivering complex system implementation or upgrade projects.
• Operational Environment Exposure: Clear experience working within a demanding, fast-paced operational environment.
• Industry Background: Preference for experience within Rolling Stock or Rail. Candidates with a strong background in other highly regulated industries such as Aerospace or Heavy Engineering will also be considered.
• Technical Acumen: Ability to understand and engage with technical discussions relating to software systems and their integration into operational processes.
• Exceptional Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to effectively manage diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external suppliers, and trade unions.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be eligible to pass a Drug & Alcohol (D&A) test.
• Must be eligible to pass a Medical assessment.

Closing Date: Friday 16th May 2025

How the apply for the role: If you are interested in the Systems Project Manager position, then please apply via this job board. For more information, please get in touch with the Consultant listed on this page.

Likely Job Titles: Systems Upgrade Manager, Software Upgrade Manager, Software Project Manager, IT Project Manager (Operations/Systems), Business Systems Manager, Operational Technology Project Manager, Implementation Project Manager, Transformation Project Manager, Systems Integration Manager

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

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