Job Description

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Rail, Defence, Technology & Heavy Manufacturing industries. 

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients' organisations with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.  

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or interim solutions.  

We have been appointed by our client company on a retained search for a motivated and hands-on leader who will be accountable for the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the Fleet whilst leading the Fleet Engineering team.

Below you will find a ‘candidate opportunity briefing document’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Head of Executive Search and Senior Research Associate of Ford & Stanley Executive Search and the Fleet Director of the client company.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification. 

Client Opportunity Statements:

“As we elevate the business and take the next step on our growth trajectory, we are focused on developing and professionalising our engineering function to deliver a first-in-class service by appointing a driven and hands-on Head of Technical Fleet Services. 

“A successful candidate will take full ownership of the safety, reliability and effectiveness of our Fleet, leading the Fleet Engineering team to maintain and optimise VMIs for improved performance. In tandem, I expect this individual to be my “right hand” and work with me to build the vision for the team to drive transformation. The Head of Technical Services will have the opportunity to make this role their own.

“Culture is key to our business, and we are looking for a seasoned professional with strong leadership and technical experience to be able to have ownership and give direction to the fleet department as we continue our journey of professionalisation and continuous improvement.”

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)  

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)            

Working Arrangements & Location: 

The Head of Technical Services will predominantly be based on site in the Midlands, 5 days a week, there will be an 'air' of flexibility when required.

Search Timescale Agreement  

Ford & Stanley Interview Process: 

• 1^st Stage: Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.  
• 2^nd Stage: The ‘shortlist’: Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business, reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.  

Our Client’s Interview Process:  

• 1st Stage interview: To be held with the Fleet Director via Teams.
• 2nd Final Stage interview: Face to face with the Fleet Director and a member of the HR team.
• 3rd and Final Stage (Informal Meet): Fleet Director and Managing Director to meet with the successful candidate over a coffee.

Good to know:  

• The Head of Technical Services will be accountable for the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the Fleet, leading the Fleet Engineering team to maintain and optimise VMI’s for optimum vehicle performance, provide technical support to the Service Centres and instigate vehicle modifications to address safety concerns or improve vehicle reliability.
• The Head of Technical Services will also be required to set and monitor the Fleet Engineering Standards for the business to ensure legislative compliance, as well as leading a performance management function, ensuring metrics are clear, available to the business and industry bodies in a timely and accurate way.
• We are seeking a seasoned professional with strong leadership and technical experience to be able to ownership and give direction to the fleet department.
• The Fleet Director has created a vision for the team to drive transformation; the Head of Technical Services will have the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with the Fleet Director to make this role their own.
• The Fleet Director is looking for an individual who is ambitious and not afraid to grab the challenge with both hands. The business have the resources, but they need to be put in the right place.
• This person will be required to create a clear strategy for Engineering across the fleet and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Create a focus within the business of looking at the uptime, not just focusing on downtime.

Key Accountabilities within the role to note:

• Fleet engineering / EC system of maintenance.
• Safe system of maintenance, innovative maintenance.
• Digital, RCM, condition-based, AI 
• Supporting fleet delivery 
• Digital assurance OT 
• Software / Cyber, Interface, Inc energy
• Scope of work / MMI / SRD
• Task risk assessments 
• Industry liaison / standards
• L&D and competency 
• Accident and incident investigations

Competitive salary and package available for this role.

Please contact Emma directly for the full opportunity brief and disclosure of benefits  package.

Executive Search Delivery Team: 

• Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search (Headhunting, Offer Negotiations, Client Consulting)
• Emma Barlow– Senior Research Associate (Shortlisting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)
• Ralitsa Kuzeva– Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Coordination, Candidate Experience).

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search: 

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.  

1. Ford & Stanley TalentWise - Business specialising in blue collar trade & technical services – permanent and temporary. 
2. Ford & Stanley Recruitment - Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.    
3. Ford & Stanley Executive Search – Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.  
4. Ford & Stanley Genius Performance - Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.  

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy. 

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business.