The posting
Job Description
We are seeking an accomplished Head of Rail team to lead and manage our WSP’s Rail Business project teams supporting the Global Capability Centre (GCC). This is a senior leadership role requiring a strong blend of technical expertise, people leadership, and strategic mindset.
The successful candidate will work closely with global leadership and GCC leads, driving technical excellence, team performance, digital adoption, and project delivery across multiple client accounts.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Development:
- Manage and provide leadership to multi‑disciplinary project teams delivering a wide range of complex Rail business projects within the rail sector, supporting clients including Network Rail, TfL, LUL, HS2, and Crossrail.
- Set and drive the strategic goals of the unit, aligning with broader organizational objectives.
- Provide vision and direction for resource management, succession planning, and staff development to build a resilient and agile team capable of addressing future needs.
- Establish and maintain an environment of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
Project Oversight & Delivery:
- Oversee planning and delivery of projects from initial concept through to completion, ensuring adherence to time, quality, and budgetary standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to set project parameters and objectives, maintaining a strong client focus.
- Review and optimize workflows, driving efficiencies and ensuring best practices in project management are upheld.
- Ensure accountability within project delivery, optimizing resources and budgets to meet or exceed financial and or delivery targets.
Technical & Subject Matter Expertise:
- Act as a thought leader in Rail Infrastructure field, with the ability to provide high-level technical oversight and direction.
- Leverage technical expertise to support and guide the team in overcoming complex challenges, ensuring quality and innovative solutions.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards, legislation, and emerging trends.
- Serve as the senior point of contact for clients and stakeholders, translating complex insights into actionable recommendations.
- Present strategic updates, project progress, and analytical insights to senior leadership, the UK team, and other stakeholders.
- Foster alignment of unit objectives with organisational goals and key performance indicators, contributing to broader business development efforts.
Key Competencies / Skills
Technical Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of design and development consulting projects.
- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, standards, and best practices within the framework.
- Proficiency in relevant software, tools, and project management methodologies, with a focus on innovation in design and consulting.
Leadership & Soft Skills:
- Demonstrated experience in leading and developing multidisciplinary teams with a focus on strategic growth and cross-team collaboration.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organisational abilities.
- Proficiency in managing budgets, project timelines, and resource allocation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor / Master’s degree level in the relevant field
- Seasoned professional with at least 15 years of diverse experience in delivery of Rail Infrastructure Projects/ services in a consulting engineering environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Chartered Professional, or equivalent (advantageous). • Experience delivering solutions compliant with international and local design standards. • Strong understanding of:
- Planning and design processes,
- Technical approvals and consents,
- Contract procedures and financial controls,
- Commercial awareness across bidding, planning, and project delivery for both large and small-scale projects.
BGV: • Employment with WSP India is subject to the successful completion of a background verification (“BGV”) check conducted by a third-party agency appointed by WSP India. • Candidates are advised to ensure that all information provided during the recruitment process — including documents uploaded — is accurate and complete, both to WSP India and its BGV partner”.
About Us
WSP is one of the world's leading professional services consulting firms. We are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. We design lasting solutions in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our talented people around the globe engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.
With approximately 4,000 talented people across 3 locations (Noida, Bengaluru & Mumbai offices) in India and more than 73,000 globally, in 550 offices across 40 countries, we engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.
At “WSP” we draw on the diverse skills and capabilities of our employees globally to compete for the most exciting and complex projects across the world and bring the same level of expertise to our local communities. We are proud to be an international collective of innovative thinkers who work on the most complex problems. Unified under one strong brand, we use our local expertise, international reach and global scale to prepare our cities and environments for the future, connect communities and help societies thrive in built and natural ecosystems. True to our guiding principles, our business is built on four cornerstones: Our People, Our Clients, Our Operational Excellence and Our Expertise.
www.wsp.com
We are
- Passionate people doing purposeful and sustainable work that helps shape our communities and the future.
- A collaborative team that thrives on challenges and unconventional thinking.
- A network of experts channeling our curiosity into creating solutions for complex issues.
Inspired by diversity, driven by inclusion, we work with passion and purpose.
Working with Us
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
Our Hybrid Working Module
With us, you can operate in a flexible, agile, yet structured work environment and follow a Hybrid Work Model.
- Maximize collaboration.
- Maintain product quality and cultural integrity.
- Balance community, collaboration, opportunity, productivity, and efficiency.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Our people are our greatest asset, and we prioritize a safe work environment. Health, safety, and wellbeing are integral to our culture, with each of us accountable for fostering a safe workplace through our “Making Health and Safety Personal” initiative. Our Zero Harm Vision drives us to reduce risks through innovative solutions, earning recognition for our global health and safety practices with the prestigious RoSPA Health and Safety Awards for six consecutive years.
Inclusivity and Diversity
WSP India is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive work environment where our greatest strength - Our People -feel valued, respected, and supported. We ensure an unbiased approach in hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation, regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability, education, social status, or cultural background.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
Join our close-knit community of over 73,300 talented global professionals dedicated to making a positive impact. Together, we can make a difference in communities both near and far.
With us, you can.
Apply today.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
