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Directorate – Rail Business Directorate
Reporting Line: Rail Business Director
Salary: £57,701 – £71,942 (Grade C1 – Max 3)
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Glasgow/Hybrid

Scottish Rail Holdings Limited (SRH) is a limited company whose sole shareholder is the Scottish Ministers. SRH has been set up with the express purpose of overseeing the governance of train operating companies under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993. SRH act as the “owning group” of the operating companies and provides separation between Transport Scotland as strategic policymakers and the direct management of train service delivery by its subsidiaries ScotRail Trains (SRT) and Caledonian Sleepers Limited (CSL).

SRH’s role is to oversee the delivery of services, targets and KPIs by its subsidiaries, including commitments within its Business and Corporate Plans, and to support SRT and CSL in the development of policies and projects. In addition, SRH oversees performance of each of its subsidiaries against a Grant Agreement. SRH liaises with the Transport Scotland Sponsorship Team on matters relating to SRT and CSL and its performance.

SRH is classified as an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and reports to the Scottish Ministers, with its obligations set out in a Framework Agreement with Transport Scotland, who are responsible for transport policy and strategy.

The role of the Rail Business Directorate is to support the activity outlined above, including monitoring, gathering, and analysing information in liaison with SRT & CSL, and proactively supporting SRT & CSL in the delivery of its obligations in line with agreed governance procedures.

Key Accountability:

This role is accountable to be the single strategic guiding mind on the overall operational aspects of the Rail Business Directorate and is the main strategic single link to the Transport Scotland Sponsorship Team.

Main Duties

• Provide a focal point for the working level interactions, including reporting and information gathering, management of the monthly review meeting processes with the SRT & CSL functional leads and their counterparts in SRH with the Sponsorship Team.

• To work with the equivalent functional leads in SRT & CSL ensure the timely provision of reports and information.

• To lead the coordination of the provision of the regular reporting packs for the SRH Board, including financial and performance information ensuring that these are prepared in line with the Governance timetable.

• To lead SRH interests in relation to issues affecting business continuity and resilience plans for CSL. Including areas for improvement to achieve the delivery of performance targets.

• Lead in the day-to-day interactions with the TS Sponsorship Team including being responsible for the coordination and quality control of analysis and information required in preparing response to Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, FOI requests, event briefings and speaking notes.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of Government mechanisms for managing the provision of transport services, which are both in public ownership and those under contract. They are likely to come from a background in Government. Core skills will be the ability to interpret data to produce meaningful information to help inform decision making. They will be able to develop business continuity plans and be able to manage a highly complex set of requirements. Excellent facilitation skills are also a key requirement of the role.

Core Skills and Competencies

Managing & Leading

Leading Others

• Takes responsibility to deliver consistent services, managing risk and resources to support continuous improvement.

• Promotes collaborative working and is able to respond creatively to tough challenges.

• Actively manages authorising environment, making connections across boundaries to build strong networks and partnerships.

Delivering Outcomes

Communications and Engagement

• Contributes to and develops clear, creative, and detailed policy communication strategies to achieve SG outcomes.

• Manages internal and external relationships, creating positive networks and maintaining trust and credibility.

• Knows when to engage with Communications specialists and considers the impact on other policies and programmes across SG & wider system.

• Communicates complex information clearly, presenting strategic ideas in a clear and positive way.

Improving Performance

• Uses relevant tools, techniques, and skills development to facilitate continuous improvement.

• Adapts quickly to fit skills and resources to changing circumstances and expectations.

• Maintains and promotes risk management processes to improve strategic planning and resource allocation.

Analysis and Use of Evidence

• Develops policy options and decisions using a range of evidence and research, to ensure that polices are aligned to outcomes.

• Uses relevant evidence, recognising validity and limitations, in evaluations & assessment of risks against desired outcomes, engaging analytical specialists appropriately.

• Captures and securely organises knowledge & information for wider use across the organisation.

• Shares knowledge and information across the wider system, to obtain best value from it across the wider public service.

Financial Management

• Interprets and uses accurate financial data to inform decision-making, investment appraisals and risk management implications.

• Delivers objectives within budget, applying procurement policies & procedures and knows when to seek advice from audit, risk, procurement, and finance specialists.

• Understands the wider public expenditure and financial decision-making environment as outlined in the policies of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

To apply for this engaging role, please email your CV and covering letter to:
tc@northstarconsultancy.com
Closing date: 19 May 2025
Interviews will be held w/c 9 June 2025