Head Rail

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.

• 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”.

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.