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Resourcing the programmes of TOCs
This Train Operating Company (TOC) is the second largest train operator in the UK employing more than 7,000 people and providing approximately 2,500 local and regional transport services every day to more than 500 stations across the north of England. It manages over one million passenger journeys every year.
Practicus’ partnership began with the TOC in 2019 and continues to this day, having placed more than 59 candidates since the beginning of our partnership. We specialise in providing the TOC with Programme Management Office, Project and Programme and Strategic Change resource on a permanent and interim basis as well as delivering resource within Commercial, Property, Retail, Digital, Service Planning, and IT.
Within the last three years we have placed 16 Project and Programme Managers, 6 Pricing and Commercial Managers, 2 ‘Heads of’ senior managers and 4 Analysts and Business Intelligence candidates. Roles have included:
- Project Manager
- Programme Manager
- Programme Lead
- Project Manager – Community Projects
- Commercial Manager
- Head of Retail
- Business Analyst – Service Planning
- Rail Pricing Consultant
- Digital Retailing Strategy Manager
- Head of Service Planning
- Change IT Project Manager
- Senior Insight Manager
- Commercial Insight & Analysis Manager
- Service Cloud Consultant
The TOC is undergoing a lengthy transformation to improve the delivery of services and to increase its ticket sales by delivering an excellent customer experience. With a portfolio of projects spanning construction, infrastructure, IT and digital, the company engaged Practicus because of our partnership approach. We work collaboratively with numerous stakeholders across the organisation and understand the nuances and complexities of the organisation. With several departments and project portfolios, we have formed a trusted bond where the contract is measured based upon our ability to consistently deliver high quality PMO and Change specialists as and when required.
We deliver the full recruitment lifecycle for each role which encompasses:
- Briefing – spending time with stakeholders to understand the role, its requirements, motivations for the placement and what a quality candidate would look like.
- Candidate networks – utilising our network of seasoned PMO, Project & Programme Management and Change specialists across the UK to gauge availability, interest and positioning within the marketplace.
- Passive search – reaching out to candidates not actively looking for a role to gauge interest, referrals and positioning within the market.
- Advertising – using our reputation and influence via social media to advertise the role to a wide diversity of talent, as well as utilising specialised industry job boards and publications to further our reach.
- Screening and vetting candidates – carrying out standard screening processes (Right to Work, Visa, DBS, qualifications and references, etc) and in-depth vetting to gain an understanding of the candidates cultural fit, motivations, values and experience relevant to the role.
- Shortlisting & interviewing – supporting stakeholders and candidates throughout the shortlisting and interviewing process ensuring only those with relevant experience and cultural fit are presented and interviewed.
- Offer & onboarding – managing the offer process and assisting with candidate onboarding.
- After care – checking in with candidates and stakeholders at set intervals post start date to gain feedback and troubleshoot any issues.
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