Head of Projects

Arriva Group; Crewe, York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation company is seeking a Head of Projects to head the Rail Services PMO and oversee complex projects in Crewe. This strategic role involves managing all aspects of project delivery and ensuring stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years in senior project management and is skilled in governance, risk management, and team leadership. The position offers a hybrid working model with flexibility in work location.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in senior project or programme management roles.
• Deep understanding of project governance and methodologies.
• Strong financial and risk management capability.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the project lifecycle across all units.
• Own and improve project governance and reporting frameworks.
• Manage budgets, risks, and resource planning for projects.

Skills

Project governance

PRINCE2

Agile

Communication

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Risk management

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a results-driven Head of Projects to set up and head the Rail Services PMO, oversee complex projects and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timely, on-budget, and high-quality delivery. They will design and lead change strategies for major initiatives and oversee stakeholder engagement, communications, and training. This role can be based in either Crewe or York and operates on a hybrid working model. Due to the scope of the role and its responsibility across the whole Rail Services business, regular travel to sites and operational teams should be expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the end-to-end project lifecycle across all business units.
• Own and continuously improve project governance, methodologies, and reporting frameworks.
• Manage budgets, risks, dependencies, and resource planning for the entire project portfolio.
• Oversee stakeholder engagement, ensuring accurate, clear, and timely communication.
• Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to agreed quality standards.
• Change management leadership.

About You

You will be an experienced project leader with a proven track record of delivering complex, high-value programmes. You bring clarity, organisation, and strategic focus, and can influence at all levels. You are passionate about developing people, driving improvement, and enabling effective cross-functional working.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years experience in senior project or programme management roles.
• Strong understanding of project governance, methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile), and best practice standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong financial and risk management capability.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining high standards of delivery.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change.