Transport for London
Head of Engineering Programme Delivery
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Reporting into – Head of Engineering Delivery
Contract – Permanent
Vacancy type – Full time
Band - 5
Location – Palestra with 50% hybrid working
About Us
Our Capital team owns our enhancement projects and drives our capital efficiency progress and Programme Management Office improvements. It also sets engineering standards and provides engineering and asset strategy expertise to the business.
As part of the Chief Capital Office, we're accountable for engineering outcomes, supporting our four delivery businesses London Underground, Surface Transport, Major Projects, Commercial & Network Development, standardising our pan-TfL asset strategy approach and leading carbon reduction across the business. We act as the “engineering conscience” of the organisation, leading on technical safety and protection of assets.
About The Role
As Head of Engineering – Programme Delivery, you will be a key member of the E&AS senior leadership team, with collective responsibility delivering some of the largest infrastructure and rail system programmes in London.
You will act as the engineering lead and single point of technical accountability for programme delivery, including major rail line extensions, whole line upgrades with the introduction of transformative new Rolling Stock and new or modernised railway infrastructure for TfL. The role holder will lead a large team to ensure engineering outcomes are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with TfL’s strategic objectives.
- Lead large and complex engineering programmes – Direct and manage multi-disciplinary engineering teams of 50–250 FTE (both direct and indirect), including Principal Engineers, Engineering Leads and senior consultants. You will model inclusive leadership, champion a safety-first culture and drive proactive risk management across all delivery activity.
- Embed strategy and long-term planning – Translate TfL strategies into clear, actionable delivery plans, maintaining a long-term multiyear outlook for capability and programme delivery. You will shape and execute engineering strategies that drive innovation, set technical standards and enable continuous improvement.
- Provide programme engineering leadership – Act as the engineering lead and integration focal point for major multi-billion-pound design and build programmes, ensuring safe, consistent and high-quality technical delivery across delivery teams and an international supply chain.
- Lead strategic resource planning – Define engineering resource demand and capability across the programme, informing workforce planning, succession pipelines and the effective management of significant resource budgets.
- Develop and deliver engineering strategy – Create and implement engineering delivery strategies for complex, multi-disciplinary programmes, including execution and assurance plans aligned to TfL governance and standards.
- Drive systems integration and change control – Ensure effective integration of complex systems across programmes, supported by robust engineering change control processes that minimise risk and prevent adverse impacts across asset areas.
- Apply strong commercial acumen – Work closely with commercial teams to provide expert technical advice, ensuring engineering decisions support robust commercial strategies, value for money and effective supplier outcomes
About You
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished engineering leader with the credibility, capability and strategic mindset to operate at senior levels within a complex, safety-critical organisation.
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You have comprehensive knowledge of best practice in an engineering and technical environment, alongside a strong understanding of large-scale and technically complex programmes, including commercial considerations, legal frameworks, financial control and procurement processes.
You bring strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex data, draw clear conclusions and develop practical, value-driven solutions. You are comfortable operating in fast-paced environments, able to assess complex situations quickly and make confident, informed technical decisions.
You are an excellent communicator, with a proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary, high-performing teams to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes in complex and dynamic stakeholder environments.
Your strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills enable you to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-specialist audiences. You are passionate about developing high-performing, delivery-focused teams and have demonstrated your ability to build, lead and motivate large multidisciplinary engineering teams within a matrix organisation.
To be considered for the role you will need to demonstrate the following skills:
Essential
- Extensive major programme experience – Demonstrable track record delivering large-scale, complex infrastructure programmes, ideally within rail or transport environments
- Railway / infrastructure expertise – Experience working on major railway or comparable infrastructure programmes, with a strong understanding of asset systems and operational environments
- Professional accreditation – Chartered Engineer status or Fellowship of a recognised engineering institution
- Commercial awareness in high-value environments – Experience operating within large, commercially complex organisations, with an understanding of high-value contracts and supplier delivery models
- Engineering leadership and accountability – Proven experience acting as engineering lead and single point of accountability for complex programmes
- Team and supply chain leadership – Strong track record leading and managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams and supply chain partners to deliver outcomes to time, cost and quality
- Safety-critical technical leadership – Experience providing engineering assurance and technical leadership within high-risk, safety-critical environments
- Stakeholder management and influence – Ability to build strong relationships and proactively manage risks and issues across complex stakeholder and delivery environments
- Translating strategy into delivery – Experience converting business requirements into safe, reliable and value-driven engineering solutions
Application Process
Please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover letter (no more than 1 A4 page, Arial size 12).
We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and ensure your application outlines where you meet these criteria.
For a copy of the job description or any questions on the recruitment process, please contact Cilla Thompson on talentacquisitionandexecutiverecruitment@tfl.gov.uk
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Closing date for applications will be Wednesday 5th August at 23:59hrs. Please note that if we receive a large number of applications, we will close the advert early. We anticipate for 1st stage interviews to be held in August 2026.
We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We will be holding a Spotlight session, where you can learn more about the role and have the opportunity to ask the hiring manager questions. This will be held 12:30 on Monday 20th July. To be added onto the event please email your interest over to this address- talentacquisitionandexecutiverecruitment@tfl.gov.uk
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.
Our city. Made better by you.
TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.
Hybrid Working
Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.
Benefits
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role and business area but mostly include:
- Final salary pension scheme.
- Free travel for you on the TfL network.
- Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket.
- 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays.
- TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow. 50% time in the office.
- Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional).
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme.
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers.
- Discounted Eurostar travel.
- TfL employees can access electric vehicles through salary sacrifice, making them more affordable. Whether brand-new or preloved, the scheme helps you save on tax and NI while making a greener choice.
Terms And Conditions
NPL Applications
Applications to internally advertised roles can only be accepted from temporary workers who are on PAYE terms via agency, or PAYE via Umbrella Companies. Temporary workers who are paid through their own limited companies are not covered by the Agency Worker Regulations and are ineligible to apply.
NPL members of staff are not eligible to apply to secondment opportunities.
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