Transport for London (TFL) - IIPAG Chair

Chair of the Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group (IIPAG) for Transport for London

Location: London / Virtual 

Time commitment required: Maximum of 80 days per year.

About Transport for London

London has one of the busiest and most advanced transport networks in the world. Currently delivering more than 21 million journeys every day, Transport for London (TfL) runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital's public transport network, including London's buses, London Underground, the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, London Trams, Cable Car and Santander Bikes. We also manage London's strategic road network, run London River Services, Victoria Coach Station and the congestion and emission charging schemes and regulate London’s taxis and private hire vehicles. In addition to our core transport purpose, we have a significant advertising portfolio, are ranked as London's largest electricity purchaser and we engage in substantial property development, including providing affordable housing. Our scale and network of circa 28,000 colleagues, ensures we make a real difference to millions of people every day.

As an organisation integral to London’s success, TfL plays a vital role in supporting and shaping London’s social and economic development.

On average TfL spends £1.9bn each year on our capital investment programme. We deliver the infrastructure that London needs by ensuring our assets are safe and fit for purpose, delivering upgrades and major projects, ensuring improvements to air quality are achieved, promoting active travel, and delivering new homes. Underpinning all of this is the critical need to ensure that our projects and programmes deliver the best possible value for money for our customers.

Continuing to ensure investment delivers maximum value for money and efficiency is key to TfL’s financial sustainability. The Mayor of London’s Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group plays a key role in realising this aim by providing independent assurance and expert advice. This is primarily across TfL’s Capital Investment Programme but the expertise of IIPAG may also be called upon to assure some key procurements in TfL’s operational business.

We will be appointing a new Chair of IIPAG to support TfL in this work. As the IIPAG Chair you will help us drive a forward-looking agenda to maximise efficiency, effectiveness and value for money of our major Investment Programmes. You’ll help London to thrive for years to come.

About the Opportunity 

London is a world leading capital city and TfL plays an essential role as its Strong Green Heartbeat. TfL has a significant Capital Investment Programme supporting the key priorities described in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the TfL’s Corporate Strategy which are reflected in our Business Plan.

This is a unique and high-profile opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future of London’s transport. As Chair of IIPAG, you will lead a small, highly skilled group of senior professionals drawn from engineering, project management, and commercial disciplines. Together, you will provide independent, third line assurance of projects and programmes, usually with a value of over £50m on a risk-based approach, along with some key decisions in the wider TfL business. This includes renewal works and upgrades and major projects. You’ll constructively challenge and provide strategic input on a broad range of matters affecting our programmes, including external market forces. You will also deliver cross cutting reviews on key topics and systemic issues that affect the investment programme which provide powerful recommendations and far-reaching advocacy of best practice. 

The Chair of IIPAG reports directly to TfL’s Projects and Investment Committee and represents IIPAG at the most senior levels, influencing investment decisions that impact Londoners every day.

The Role

As Chair of IIPAG, your responsibilities will include:

·      Providing leadership and direction to IIPAG, ensuring its work is rigorous, impartial, and evidence-based.

·      Overseeing reviews of TfL’s investment programme and major projects, with a focus on value for money, deliverability, and risk.

·      Offering independent and authoritative advice to the Projects and Investment Committee, highlighting risks, opportunities, and lessons learned.

·      Representing IIPAG at Board and Executive-level meetings, delivering clear, constructive, and credible recommendations.

·      Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders while maintaining the independence and integrity of IIPAG’s work.

·      Oversight of sub-groups.

About You

We are seeking an outstanding leader with exceptional credentials in transport, infrastructure, or related fields.

Essential Experience & Skills

·      Recognised and respected leader at executive level, with a proven record in oversight, management, and delivery of major, high-value transport or infrastructure programmes.

·      Extensive senior leadership experience in high-profile, politically complex environments, working effectively as part of a wider leadership team.

·      Ability to identify strategic themes and risks, with a strong understanding of the wider political context and the complexities of stakeholder engagement in a publicly accountable setting.

·      Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the authority to represent IIPAG at Board and Executive levels, and the ability to deliver challenging messages with sensitivity.

·      Strong analytical skills and professional judgement to provide constructive challenge.

·      Well-developed interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build relationships at the highest levels and lead senior professionals.

·      A detailed understanding of the project and programme lifecycle, including planning, design, forecasting, and budget development.

Desirable Experience & Skills

·      Experience delivering independent assurance reviews and making evidence-based recommendations.

·      A track record of providing independent advice to improve delivery of major projects and programmes.

·      Recognised professional qualifications and senior (typically Fellowship) memberships of relevant industry bodies, or equivalent standing.

Impact and Reward

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most complex and high-profile transport networks in the world. As the Chair of IIPAG, you will:

·      Help ensure TfL delivers its investment programme to the highest standards of governance and public value.

·      Play a central role in safeguarding billions of pounds of investment.

·      Influence outcomes that affect the daily lives of millions of Londoners.

·      Enhance confidence in TfL’s stewardship of London’s transport infrastructure.

Your leadership will have a direct and lasting impact on the success of London’s transport system.

How to apply

Please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover letter (no more than 1 A4 pages Arial size 12). 

You must upload your application here: https://foeurope.my.salesforce-sites.com/jobboard/JobRegister?JobId=a1hSa000002UauXIAS

Please ensure to complete the diversity monitoring form. We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and ensure your application outlines where meet these criteria.

Closing date for applications will be October 19th

First Stage Interviews are scheduled to take place in November.

For a more detailed discussion on the role, please contact Tom Niven at Penna on 07860 657044 or tom.niven@penn.com.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

TfL is currently unable to provide sponsorship to candidates for this role as the Home Office’s eligibility criteria for sponsorship will not be met. TfL keeps its approach under review in line with changes to UK immigration rules. We are also unable to provide advice or guidance on individual immigration queries and advise candidates to check the Government’s website for further information.

NPL Applications:

Applications to internally advertised roles can only be accepted from temporary workers who are on PAYE terms via agency, or PAYE via Umbrella Companies. Temporary workers who are paid through their own limited companies are not covered by the Agency Worker Regulations and are ineligible to apply.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.