Workforce Planning and Development Manager (2949)
- Salary:Competitive depending on experience
- Location:Go-Ahead House (East Croydon)
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Closing Date:22 August 2025
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for data-driven planning and operational excellence? We're looking for a proactive and analytical professional to take ownership of the Customer Service Directorate (CSD) workforce plan. In this pivotal role, you'll lead the development and delivery of resourcing and training strategies that align with our key performance indicators and strategic goals—ensuring we have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain an agile, cost-effective workforce plan aligned with GTR's strategic objectives.
- Translate forecasts and budgets into actionable plans, ensuring stakeholder buy-in and clear communication.
- Collaborate with recruitment, training, and rostering teams to deliver plans on time and manage risks.
- Coordinate all workforce planning activities, ensuring accountability and timely progress.
- Produce regular reports on delivery status, highlighting risks and recommending corrective actions.
- Identify and propose workforce design improvements using data and stakeholder insights.
- Lead or support the implementation of approved changes, ensuring compliance with governance and safety protocols.
- Work closely with Employee Relations and Portfolio teams to secure necessary approvals and track benefit realisation.
What you'll get:
Living locally, you'll have a short commute and rewarded with an interesting and varied work schedule, in an environment where learning and progression is actively encouraged. You'll enjoy great company and industry benefits, as well as the support of a passionate team. Along with comprehensive and ongoing training, your benefits will include free travel on our network, privilege rate oyster card, up to 75% off travel on other TOCs (train operating companies), final salary pension and much more. #LI-PA1
Benefits

Pension

Staff Travel

Childcare Vouchers

Extra Holidays

Discount Scheme

Long Service Awards

Employee Assistance Programme

The Transport Benevolent Fund

In-House Occupational Health Department

Cycle to Work Scheme
Testimonials
What our staff say
“I work as part of the Fleet Infrastructure team, which means ensuring our 18 Engineering locations operate safely and efficiently. We oversee all building and track maintenance works as well as various minor and major projects across the network.”
Hannah Richards
Fleet Infrastructure Administrator
“I started in a small ticket office back in 1996 and have continued to work my way up ever since. A previous manager told me about a job he’d seen advertised for a trainer. ’d never considered a job in HR or mentoring before then, but he said I’d be perfect for it and I haven’t looked back since!”
Zoey Hudson
Head of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion
“Since April, I’ve helped to support our Kickstart Scheme. It’s been a really rewarding process to be part of because I know first-hand how tough it can be to find work once you’re out of it.”
Jack Gow
Mobile Station Manager
“I love the freedom that comes with being a train driver. Obviously, there are rules and regulations to follow as well as duties and commitments to carry out, but in a way, you’re sort of your own boss, which is nice.”
Ashley John
Train Driver
“I’m a Thameslink passenger host and team leader based at Luton station and I’m currently doing a Level 3 Supervisor apprenticeship so that I can improve my skills even further. I was hesitant to do the apprenticeship at first because of my age – I left school over 60 years ago without any qualifications! It’s been hard to get back into the routine of learning again.”
Bob Bryce
Passenger Host Team Leader
“It was my brother’s suggestion to join the railway. He was already working in the industry and knew I had some university bills to pay off so told me to give it a go, get out of debt and see what I wanted to do next. After a while, it just felt like actually – this is exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m part of a great team and the on-board department as a whole are brilliant to work with. I feel at home here.”
Tonderai Matizha-Johnson
Area Operations Manager
“When I saw that GTR was advertising places for its apprenticeship scheme I looked into it straight away because I thought it was a great opportunity to learn whilst getting real life experience in a 9-5 job. I applied for a level three business administration apprenticeship and was thrilled to find out I had a place on the course! I was so excited that I didn’t even mind it was based 250 miles away from where I lived.”
Harriet Dee
Team Administrator
“Working for GTR is very rewarding and fulfilling. You really feel like you're making a difference to customers, no matter what role you're in as at the end of the day they're the heart of our business. I’ve had lots of opportunities to explore other aspects of the business including supporting our station staff and gaining my Train Dispatch Licence which has been enriching for my experience here.”
Maggie Luckhurst
Platform / Train Dispatch
“If you’ve always had an interest in rail, or maybe you’re just curious to find out what working in the railway might look like, GTR is the operator to go for. Not many companies do an official work experience program and this unique opportunity will give you a good grounding with varied activities to help you find the best place in the railway for you. It certainly did it for me.”
Nathaniel Owen
Station Manager