Project Coordinator

Who Are We?

First Rail Consultancy provides specialist services across the public transport sector, particularly in the rail industry. We work closely with other FirstGroup plc businesses including operators Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, Lumo and advising DfT on the future operation of HS2. We also provide consultancy services for First Bus, London Trams, London Cable Car and external clients.

We deliver a wide range of services to meet our clients' needs including business development, branding, data analysis, engineering, project management, editorial work, and training. We also engage in commercial activity for FirstGroup plc to expand our business, both nationally and internationally. This work encompasses everything from contract bids and business planning to developing software services and new rail routes.

We have assembled an experienced team with expertise in a range of disciplines. Just as importantly, we take great pride in being friendly, inclusive and supportive. We support all employees in their personal and professional development through training, academic qualifications, and interesting, varied project work.

What is the role?

This role will provide project management coordination and delivery support as part of our consultancy team. You will support teams in the coordination, administration and delivery of projects and assignments for First Rail Consultancy and our clients. Assignments will involve a variety of projects within the Consultancy team, across various FirstGroup businesses and with external transport organisations.

The role and the nature of the work will give you a unique opportunity to develop project management skills and knowledge of different business functions and organisations. As a Project Coordinator you will be working with a diverse group of clients in different businesses. It is important to appreciate this is not a ‘business as usual' role and, as consultants, we balance the priorities of our clients with those of our own organisations. Often, we work on a range of assignments for different clients at the same time, dividing and recording the time we spend on each piece of work. We find those who excel in our environment relish the variety and challenge offered. Note that some projects may require travel to client sites.

Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Supporting the creation and maintenance of project management information, reports and plans.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of project management logs, including risks, opportunities, assumptions, issues and dependencies, and decisions made relating to each project.
• Tracking, analysing, reporting and forecasting project plans, status and metrics.
• Coordinating project meetings and workshops, taking meeting notes and tracking actions.
• Assisting with internal communications and project presentations.

Who are we looking for?

The successful applicant for the role will:

• Be a self-starter who is well organised, results-driven and has high levels of self-motivation, energy and initiative.
• Have experience of organising, prioritising, and managing rapidly changing demands.
• Have the ability to focus on the delivery of outcomes, working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Have strong attention to detail.
• Understand the ethical and appropriate use of AI tools.
• Have good interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Be a team player.
• Having an understanding of railway infrastructure, operations and the industry is desirable, but not essential.

Skills and Experience

Key skills include:

• Experience of working in, or alongside, projects, with an understanding of project management approaches, structures and roles is desirable but not essential.
• Attained, or working towards attaining, appropriate professional qualifications is also desirable, but not essential.

We require the following relevant experience:

• Further education – degree level or equivalent.

What can we offer you?

• Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
• 25 days holiday plus national bank holidays
• Travel offers for Bus and Rail*
• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a charity of your choice
• Shopping discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
• All employee Share Schemes* 
• Buy as You Earn share scheme*
• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
• Flexible working – a mix of remote working/in-office with an average of 3 in-office days per week. Note: remote working is restricted to within the UK.

*After 6 months employment

FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer base.