Head of Fleet Delivery
11 hours ago
London
Candidate Opportunity Brief Position: Head of Fleet Delivery Reporting to: Engineering & Safety Director Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors: Rail & Transportation Civils & Construction Manufacturing & Supply Chain Technology & Cyber Security Logistics & Intermodal Freight Defence Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management. Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition. Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution. We have been exclusively appointed by our client business on a retained search for a Head of Fleet Delivery. Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Principal Consultant & Senior Consultant of Ford & Stanley Executive Search and the Engineering and Safety Director of our client company. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification. Key deliverables within the first 12 months include: Deliver a sustained and measurable improvement in fleet availability, shifting performance to the required level by stabilising day‑to‑day delivery, addressing known engineering issues, and embedding the operational disciplines. Lead a culture shift across the fleet function, create a more open, accountable, and change‑ready culture that supports modern ways of working. Rebuild confidence in this business area, demonstrating safe, reliable, and professional fleet delivery that improves the organisation’s confidence in the department’s capability. Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience) Rail fleet background and experience required, candidates can come from TOC'S, FOC'S, OEM's or Overhaul/Maintainers. Demonstrable knowledge and experience in production processes. Strong people leadership experience, we expect candidates to have led similar-sized teams previously. Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and positive behavioural change. Demonstrable experience in leading multiple teams across different geographical locations. Strong stakeholder engagement experience, at all levels (Shop floor, through to senior leadership). Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours) An innovative transparent leader who can bring fresh ideas and ways of working to the business. Resilient, ability to work under pressure and challenge when required. Level-headed and collaborative in their approach across all levels of the business. Articulate and inspirational, with the ability to bring teams on a journey. Working Arrangements & Location: Candidates are required to travel across the network, this to include the West Midlands, South of England and Greater London. Hybrid working available; however candidates must be prepared to be a present on-site leader up to 5 days when required. Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process: First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared. Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV. The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations. Client Company Interview Process: 1st Stage interview: Teams / Face to face interview (dependant on diary availability) with Engineering & Safety Director. 2nd Stage interview: Face-to-face with Engineering & Safety Director and another chosen member of the leadership team. Good to know: The Head of Fleet Delivery holds full accountability for ensuring the fleet is made available, safe, compliant, and fit for daily service. The role provides the critical link between engineering, operations and service delivery, ensuring that fleet output is predictable, reliable and aligned to business performance requirements. This individual will have 5 capable direct reports, with circa 160 indirect reports across the network. This individual will lead approximately 85% of the engineering function, taking ownership of developing, upskilling, and mentoring a large and diverse team. They will be expected to raise capability, embed modern engineering standards, and build a confident, high‑performing workforce aligned to the needs of a reliable daily service. The Engineering & Safety Director is keen to empower the new Head of Fleet Delivery to have full autonomy to drive change and develop the team. The Head of Fleet Delivery will have proven experience delivering fleet availability, reliability and operational performance. Strong stakeholder management will be needed across operations, engineering and planning functions. The role will largely be required to work with internal stakeholders rather than external. Key Responsibilities: Delivery of the fleet for daily service. Line management of all staff at all depots.. Ensure fleet maintenance, servicing and presentation activities are delivered to the highest safety and quality standards. Work closely with Operations, Fleet Planning and Engineering teams to maximise fleet availability and performance. Lead the effective use of people, materials and resources to support operational delivery. Deliver fleet availability, reliability and presentation targets to support operational performance. Monitor fleet performance and implement improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve reliability. Lead performance management and continuous improvement across fleet delivery teams. Manage budgets, workforce planning and resources to ensure efficient depot operations. Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and asset owners to support effective fleet delivery. Lead operational reviews and provide clear reporting on fleet performance, risks and delivery. Competitive Salary and supporting benefits available. Executive Search Delivery Team: Billy Jackson – Principal Consultant: (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Consulting, Networking) Emma Barlow – Senior Associate: (Network, Research, Search, Interviews, Market intelligence, Longlisting, Shortlisting, Headhunting) Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant: (Data, diary management and coordination) About Ford & Stanley Executive Search: Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy. Services advertised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search are that of an executive search and talent advisory business