Head of Integration - Depot

The Head of Integration Depot role is primarily focused on programme integration, stakeholder coordination, and schedule assurance, rather than direct cost management. As the central figure responsible for enabling timely, safe, and coordinated delivery of assets into the depot, the role requires a strong integration mindset, high resilience, and the ability to operate within a complex, multi-party environment.

Key Responsibilities

Integration & Schedule Coordination

Coordinate programme and construction schedules across multiple delivery areas to ensure all assets, systems, and interfaces are delivered on time for depot handover and readiness.
Act as the integrator between rail systems, civils, on‑network works, and external contractors-ensuring alignment of sequencing, access, commissioning, and assurance activities.
Identify schedule conflicts, interface risks, and interdependencies early, driving resolution through proactive engagement with delivery teams and stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management & Single Point of Contact

Serve as the single point of contact for all key project stakeholders, including:
Train Manufacturer & Maintainer (TMM)
West Coast Partnership
Network Rail
Birmingham City Council
Department for Transport
HS2 Operations
Ensure consistent and controlled communication, protecting the project from misalignment, scope drift, or conflicting stakeholder expectations.
Maintain clear, documented channels of engagement to ensure timely decision‑making and issue escalation.

Protecting Depot Scope & Controlling Interfaces

Act as a gatekeeper to protect the depot from unnecessary stakeholder interference, scope changes, or operational pressures that could disrupt integration or readiness.
Ensure HS2 remains fully informed and involved in any contractor‑to‑contractor discussions, preventing direct negotiations that bypass formal governance or risk creating technical or contractual ambiguity.
Maintain oversight of all depot-related interfaces to ensure clarity of ownership, responsibilities, and technical boundaries.

Engineering Governance & Technical Oversight

Provide engineering leadership across integration activities, maintaining high technical standards and adherence to relevant assurance processes.
Participate actively in Interdisciplinary Design Checks (IDC), technical reviews, and design assurance forums to ensure depot requirements are fully understood, coordinated, and delivered.
Work closely with engineering, systems specialists, and assurance teams to identify and resolve technical or interface risks early.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with key members of the wider integration team, including:
Head of Planning
Engineering Leads
Commercial Teams
Operations and Maintenance Readiness Teams
Ensure seamless communication and collaborative problem‑solving across all functional areas contributing to depot delivery