Senior Consultant (Rail)

Job Description

Contract type/Duration: Permanent


Working hours Full time (9day Fortnight companywide)


Band: 3.1


Salary: £51,000 - £60,000 (depending on office location and proven ability)


Reports to: Head of Enterprise Support (Transport)


Location: Milton Keynes/London (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)


Internal Job Code: RC085


Closing date: 9am on the 18th January 2026
Recruiter Interviews: Week commencing 18th January
Panel Interviews: 26th January and week commencing 2nd February 2026


The Role

Based within the Enterprise and Innovation Directorate, the role holder will be responsible for shaping and leading programmes and propositions that enable the supply of and demand for innovation. They will ensure the success of the Directorate and wider Business Unit by providing excellence in client relationship development, delivery and opportunity management. Leading by example to shape, set pace and model great work, they will coach and inspire others. The successful candidate will undertake a leading role in the delivery of High Speed 2’s Accelerator, with specific responsibility for its current Accelerator and the strategic design of the programme in future years. Considering this, it would be advantageous if applicants had experience of working on national transport infrastructure projects, specifically in an innovation focused role.

You will lead the current HS2 Accelerator, ensuring the programme is delivered on time, to a high standard, and with all KPIs achieved. Working closely with the Head of Enterprise (Transport), you will help shape the future accelerator proposition for HS2, contributing to the strategic direction of the programme. You will also deputise for the Head of Enterprise (Transport) where required, feeding into the wider Rail Directorate and supporting its broader objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Meet revenue targets​.
• Spot opportunities​.
• Contribute to bids and proposals.
• Increase client confidence in and credibility of CPC, manage sell ons and 2nd phase wins.
• Ensure CRM system is updated stakeholder contact and any account information including opportunity management.
• Scope and lead streams of work​.
• Shape the planning and budget​ing of work.
• Shape and design the deliverables​.
• Manage the PMO and commercial control​.
• Organise the work stream for the core and virtual team members​.
• Provide excellence in delivery​.
• Meet (or exceed) utilisation targets.
• Design and plan innovative and professional delivery.
• Develop senior client buy in across a range of stakeholders​.
• Hold face off accountability at senior management levels.
• Update CRM system with contact of client information.
• Contribute profession/specialism into delivery and proposal development​.
• Provide thought leadership​.
• Work in profession virtual community​.
• Provide learning opportunities.
• Maintain own professional development.
• Ensure an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contribute to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities.
• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Required Competencies

• Spark creative thinking across all tasks.
• Apply systems thinking to problem solving.
• Create effective networks.
• Use personal influence to progress beyond challenges and blockers.
• Use experience to provide the voice of the customer in all activities.
• Effectively manage communication across teams and stakeholders, lead meetings and contribute to publications and events.
• Co-ordinate plans across activities.
• Role model agility and adaptation.
• Champion and promote inclusion and sustainability.

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.