Lead the Future of Rail Performance at Avanti West Coast
We’re looking for an exceptional operational leader to join our senior leadership team as Head of Fleet & Engineering. A critical role responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and high-performing fleet operations across the Avanti West Coast network.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of rail engineering performance, influence strategic supplier partnerships, and lead a high-impact team at the heart of one of the UK’s most important rail operations.
The Role
As Head of Fleet & Engineering, you will lead the strategy, performance, and delivery of our rolling stock operations ensuring our fleets operate safely, efficiently, cleanly, and reliably for customers every day.
You’ll oversee major engineering and supplier relationships, drive operational excellence, and ensure value is maximised across fleet contracts exceeding £350 million annually.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Leading the Fleet & Engineering function across the Avanti West Coast network
- Driving fleet reliability, punctuality, and operational performance
- Managing strategic partnerships with providers including Alstom and Hitachi
- Overseeing relationships with rolling stock leasing partners including Angel Trains and Rock Rail
- Ensuring strong commercial governance across high-value fleet contracts
- Collaborating closely with Operations Control to minimise disruption and maintain the highest safety standards
- Leading, coaching, and developing a high-performing engineering and fleet team
- Supporting budget management and identifying opportunities for greater operational value and efficiency
About You
You are an experienced engineering and fleet leader with a strong track record in rail, transport, or another safety-critical operational environment.
You Bring:
- Senior leadership experience within engineering or fleet operations
- Strong commercial and contractual management capability
- Expertise in managing complex supplier and stakeholder relationships
- A data-driven approach to operational performance and continuous improvement
- Excellent communication and people leadership skills
- The ability to lead confidently in a fast-paced, regulated environment
Please see role profile attached for more information.
Benefits include:
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operator
Be You. With Us.
At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.
We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.
We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-18”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Avanti-West-Coast”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__435622058__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=835” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Birmingham” } } }Lead the Future of Rail Performance at Avanti West Coast
We’re looking for an exceptional operational leader to join our senior leadership team as Head of Fleet & Engineering. A critical role responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and high-performing fleet operations across the Avanti West Coast network.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of rail engineering performance, influence strategic supplier partnerships, and lead a high-impact team at the heart of one of the UK’s most important rail operations.
The Role
As Head of Fleet & Engineering, you will lead the strategy, performance, and delivery of our rolling stock operations ensuring our fleets operate safely, efficiently, cleanly, and reliably for customers every day.
You’ll oversee major engineering and supplier relationships, drive operational excellence, and ensure value is maximised across fleet contracts exceeding £350 million annually.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Leading the Fleet & Engineering function across the Avanti West Coast network
- Driving fleet reliability, punctuality, and operational performance
- Managing strategic partnerships with providers including Alstom and Hitachi
- Overseeing relationships with rolling stock leasing partners including Angel Trains and Rock Rail
- Ensuring strong commercial governance across high-value fleet contracts
- Collaborating closely with Operations Control to minimise disruption and maintain the highest safety standards
- Leading, coaching, and developing a high-performing engineering and fleet team
- Supporting budget management and identifying opportunities for greater operational value and efficiency
About You
You are an experienced engineering and fleet leader with a strong track record in rail, transport, or another safety-critical operational environment.
You Bring:
- Senior leadership experience within engineering or fleet operations
- Strong commercial and contractual management capability
- Expertise in managing complex supplier and stakeholder relationships
- A data-driven approach to operational performance and continuous improvement
- Excellent communication and people leadership skills
- The ability to lead confidently in a fast-paced, regulated environment
Please see role profile attached for more information.
Benefits include:
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operator
Be You. With Us.
At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.
We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.
We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…