Senior Sponsor

Description

• Influence cross-directorate priorities, managing trade-offs and conflicts to ensure Sponsorship and Shareholder Relations delivers on all key business priorities. Provide clear direction and leadership to matrix teams working on NPR-related activities.
• Actively promote and embed Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.
• Lead HS2 Ltd’s sponsorship responsibilities for NPR during its formative stages, ensuring strategic alignment with Government objectives and HS2 interfaces. Act as the primary point of contact for DfT on NPR-related matters, building trusted relationships to secure confidence and timely decisions.
• Act as the single gateway for NPR engagement, managing and prioritising requests from DfT and Government to protect HS2 Ltd teams from ad hoc demands. Ensure responses are consistent, coordinated, and maintain HS2 Ltd’s credibility.
• Coordinate HS2 Ltd’s contributions to NPR development activities, ensuring evidence-based, robust input that reflects programme priorities and Government expectations.
• Shape NPR development strategy, influencing option selection and design principles to ensure NPR integrates effectively with HS2 and wider rail networks. Provide strategic advice on implications of NPR choices for HS2’s delivery and long-term operational requirements.
• Monitor and anticipate emerging issues, advising senior leaders on risks and opportunities associated with NPR development. Ensure HS2 Ltd’s position is well-defined and communicated to Government to maintain confidence in programme progression.
• Facilitate resolution of complex issues and risks, enabling constructive dialogue between HS2 Ltd technical experts and Government officials. Drive solutions that balance NPR objectives with HS2 delivery commitments and strategic outcomes.

Requirements

• Understanding of governance and decision-making processes for publicly funded projects and major infrastructure programmes.
• Demonstrated success in influencing senior stakeholders in situations of high ambiguity and political sensitivity.
• Ability to build and maintain senior-level relationships, influencing and negotiating with stakeholders to secure strategic outcomes.
• Knowledge of early-stage programme development, including option appraisal and business case preparation.
• Exposure to large-scale projects or programmes within the public sector or regulated industries.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to convey complex issues clearly to varied audiences including Government and senior executives.
• Familiarity with Government investment frameworks such as HM Treasury Green Book and DfT approvals processes.
• Proven experience of working across multiple organisations to achieve strategic outcomes in complex environments.
• Awareness of national transport strategy and interdependencies between major rail programmes.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills in contexts of ambiguity, balancing risk and opportunity without complete information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across a broad portfolio, ensuring timely delivery of critical outputs.
• Experience of leading teams or matrix groups to deliver well-defined outcomes in major programme contexts.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance