The Chief Operating Officer (COO) leads on the finance, HR, IT, security and estates functions. This includes running our business planning processes and our financial reporting. In addition, you will lead on organisational changes resulting from the Government‘s programme of rail reform. The ORR is a relatively small organisation, and this is a hands-on role where you will be expected to develop a strong understanding of how the ORR works and the role of the Corporate Operations Directorate within it.
You will also be expected to be an active member of the ORR Executive Committee, supporting the work of other Directors and working as a team. You will need to be flexible and anticipate how the organisation will need to change and evolve.
You will attend all Board meetings and will be expected to play an active role at these meetings. As the Executive lead at the People and Audit & Risk Committees you will develop the agendas for these committees, liaise closely with the non-executive chairs and link with external members, such as the independent member of the Audit & Risk Committee.
Key accountabilities
- Leading the Corporate Operations Directorate which includes Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Estates and Security (the latter includes being the most senior executive accountable for the security of the organisation) and has c.40 people, as well as line managing four direct reports.
- Leading the organisation’s approach to annual business planning, ensuring that ORR implements an effective approach to financial management, funding, value for money and resource management.
- Leading on organisation change and transformation across ORR resulting from rail reform and other strategic priorities.
- Being accountable for the day-to-day management of the Directorate’s c.£8m annual budget.
- Providing leadership and strategic oversight to help ensure that ORR can deliver its commitments.
- Overseeing the timely publication of ORR’s Annual Report and Accounts and being able to assure the Accounting Officer and Audit & Risk Committee that corporate governance standards have been and are being followed.
- Being the key executive lead to our ORR People Committee, ensuring delivery of the People Strategy priorities, and to our Audit & Risk Committee.
- Providing strategic guidance, insight and analysis to the Board and committees on business performance and operational efficiency, as well as current and emerging risk in the delivery of corporate activities.
- Working collaboratively with the ORR senior leadership team to identify improvements and work cohesively to oversee their implementation and deliver results.
- Being inquisitive and flexible to take on new roles/activities to develop and support the organisation.
- Leading the implementation and delivery of the technology strategy to ensure ORR’s IT, digital capabilities and information management is effective, efficient and supported in a secure environment, meeting current and future business needs.
- Representing ORR with its stakeholders and working effectively with industry and Department for Transport and other government colleagues.
