Kirsty Forster

• Achieved timely project tracking and reporting through effective utilisation of advanced project management tools.
• Enhanced project success by supporting teams through all phases to accomplish objectives.
• Streamlined resource management achieved through efficient project scheduling.
• Reduced project delays by facilitating prompt issue resolution.
• Ensured compliance with requirements in contracts administered across infrastructure and government programmes.
• Mitigated risks effectively through proactive contract administration, including NEC forms.
• Increased visibility across teams by aiding in risk identification and scope coordination.
• Ensured consistent delivery and reporting through production of project documentation trackers and templates.
• Aligned operational delivery with contractual obligations through collaborative efforts with project teams.
• Strengthened stakeholder engagement by providing assistance in commercial discussions.
• Maintained clarity and effective communication between project teams and senior stakeholders, enabling timely escalation.

• Directed management of a portfolio of strategic infrastructure projects in line with Major Projects Directorate's strategic objectives.
• Oversaw comprehensive project management processes, ensuring strict adherence to established compliance and quality controls. Architected and executed innovative process controls focused on enhancing safety, quality assurance, cost efficiency, and project timelines.
• Facilitated effective stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure alignment and communication across various organizational levels and sectors.
• Managed and optimised project budgets ranging from £2.5M to £5M, ensuring financial health and resource allocation effectiveness.
• Orchestrated procurement strategies in adherence to corporate governance and policies, driving value and compliance across project supply chains.
• Led and managed multiple strategic infrastructure projects to align with Major Projects Directorate goals, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project scopes.
• Developed and executed tailored project management frameworks inclusive of compliance standards and quality assurance protocols, optimising overall project performance.
• Facilitated stakeholder engagement initiatives to enhance collaboration and communication among diverse organisational levels and sectors throughout project lifecycles.
• Led successful implementation of strategic procurement frameworks that aligned with corporate governance, enhancing project delivery outcomes.
• Developed stakeholder engagement plans that fostered collaboration and transparency among key partners, resulting in stronger project alignment and success.
• Led strategic planning and execution of infrastructure frameworks to meet project objectives and regulatory requirements in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
• Developed and managed comprehensive project documentation, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and stakeholder expectations throughout all project phases.
• Implemented and refined risk assessment and mitigation strategies, enhancing project resilience and compliance with industry best practices.
• Managed lifecycle phases of strategic infrastructure projects, incorporating stakeholder feedback and ensuring alignment with Major Projects Directorate's vision.
• Orchestrated procurement processes that ensured compliance with corporate standards while delivering value across various project contracts.
• Instituted advanced project governance frameworks that ensured effective monitoring and control of project execution and compliance with regulatory standards across multiple infrastructure projects.

Led York Central infrastructure project (45-hectare brownfield regeneration):

• Administered NEC (Option A) contracts and procedures
• Developed comprehensive project controls and safety systems
• Managed complex stakeholder relationships across multiple organisations
• Ensured compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards
• Implemented robust risk management processes.

• Managed execution of NEC (Option F) contracts Developed and implemented contract management procedures
• Conducted site inspections and compliance reviews
• Led knowledge transfer and safety management initiatives
• Managed stakeholder communications and issue resolution
• Managed execution of NEC contract and ensuring that all parties fulfil their obligations.
• Monitoring contract performance and ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.
• Resolving any disputes or issues that arise during the course of a contract.
• Identifying risks and potential pitfalls in contracts and taking steps to mitigate them.
• Maintaining records and documentation related to contracts.
• Communicating with stakeholders and providing updates on contract progress.
• Developing and implementing contract management procedures and best practices.
• Collaborating with cost, project management, PMO and other departments to ensure effective contract management.
• Delivering Knowledge transfer training and Q&A workshops
• Attending site visits to ensure the project stays on track and the contract is adhered to by all parties.

• Led various civil and architectural projects in the renewals team
• Successfully delivered major infrastructure project for new rolling stock (Budget £120k)
• Managed design tender (£350k) and delivery (£15.5m) of plain line renewal project
• Oversaw track extension project involving rail-road intersection Lead project manager for major locomotive overhaul (Budget £5.5m)
• Managed engineering change process
• Led engineering vehicle refresh and new vehicle purchase project (Budget £2.5m)
• Taught project management using APM guidelines
• Coached project managers and conducted lessons via Teams and face-to-face
• Additional Responsibilities: Assisted with Northern Rail bid for Gleeds Social champion for Rail North Managed onboarding process for new starters at Nexus

Led infrastructure and energy efficiency projects:

• Managed complex technical projects including battery farm development
• Exceeded delivery targets while maintaining budget control Implemented safety and compliance procedures
• Defined project scope and deliverables to meet stakeholder and business needs.
• Identified process, procedure and architecture opportunities to streamline project operations.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver timely, under-budget technical projects.
• Networked at industry seminars to build strategic business relationships.
• Coordinated with engineering teams and stakeholders
• Developed and maintained project controls

• Delivery of the full range of teaching and learning activities that make up the learning experience and carry out associated preparation and assessment processes of project management at level 5 for mechanical, electrical and multiskilled engineering and academic study skills at level 4 for mechanical and electrical students.
• Conducted research, contributed to the knowledge base in the field.
• Ensured up-to-date subject knowledge with continuous professional development.
• Developed comprehensive course curriculum by aligning with university standards.
• Managed administrative tasks related to coursework, streamlined evaluation process.
• Helped students secure meaningul work placements to improve practical subject understanding.
• Railway engineering at level 3, health and safety at level 3, communications – level 3 and workplace improvement at level 3. Advising, guiding and supporting learners to identify and achieve their learning aims throughout lockdown via teams and also teaching FE face to face engineering projects and comms and interpreting and using engineering info.
• Implementing assessment procedures and contributing to the maintenance of course files and attendance.
• Writing and revising schemes of work, lesson plans and associated materials.
• Carrying out tasks associated with record keeping and the maintenance of MIS records and contributing to learner’s reports.
• One to one tutoring to support learners who struggle, producing new schemes of work, group work, practical activities for assignment work and enrichment.
• Onboarding new learners as their personal tutor according to all safeguarding and PREVENT guidelines

• Managing in service modifications of new build trains, designing and implementing new processes and governance for new scope, change industrialisation, fleet configuration, scheduling and production, training and development, managing fleet final acceptance and design, modifications and acceptance of special project trains.
• Managing project teams to include operations, production, materials, procurement, engineering, PMO and being single point of contact for senior stakeholders, customers and suppliers.
• Use of SAP and the full Microsoft package with some Microsoft edge was required.
• All escalations managed, risks and budget managed via tracker, process managed via Kanban and reporting weekly on all projects to show headlines, risks, escalations, working progress, project progress in line with business needs and facility capabilities.
• Manage work packaging process in line with priorities, manage priorities in line with business needs.
• Risk register managed and open items list managed daily and circulated every two days. Lead meetings on each project appropriately and keep minutes and OIL for governance and reporting purposes.

• Collated data and wrote Project management plan for medium sized confidential project at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
• Plan was delivered on time and within budget, communications were successful, and customer accepted the proposal.
• Project was assessed as medium risk and has now commenced with a larger than anticipated contingency fund as advised in PMP and is currently running well.
• Recruitment of project managers, business analysists, business change managers and systems engineers for new project starting with major client.
• Development of governance surrounding IR35 for contractors. Development of standardised interview techniques and scoring amongst contractors and permanent staff along with strategies for quality testing wage structures.
• Advised governmental bodies on policy matters related to nuclear energy production and usage.
• Developed safe and efficient protocol for nuclear reactor operations.
• Ensured adherence to all legal requirements related to nuclear energy production and waste management.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, fostering innovation in nuclear research methods.

South West Rail 465 Door Overhaul | £9.8M

Led comprehensive door system overhaul project for South West Rail's 465 fleet, managing refurbishment and refit of internal, external, and cab doors to meet lease hand back requirements.

Key achievements include:

• Directed door overhaul design team through concept to preliminary design, developing practical solutions aligned with accelerated program objectives
• Successfully coordinated between multiple stakeholders including South West Rail's engineering teams, Porterbrook, and Wabtec product support teams
• Managed onsite contracting teams, implementing rigorous health and safety protocols including toolbox talks and risk assessments
• Delivered detailed business case and technical solutions while balancing design constraints, time pressures, and quality requirements Established comprehensive reporting framework to group/client auditors and managing director
• Improved fleet reliability through reduced door failure rates, enhanced passenger satisfaction, and increased safety performance
• Demonstrated expertise in both rail engineering standards and project managemet.

Managed Transpennine Express fleet modification project:

• Led compliance with Network Rail standards Managed onsite production and safety protocols
• Coordinated infrastructure readiness assessments
• Developed and implemented project controls
• Conducted acceptance testing and quality assurance
• Lead a continuous improvement project which included time and motion surveys and built small onsite projects to save time and money. Introduced iPads for technicians in the depot to improve quality and data collection which lead to a reduction of exams needing to be carried out and increased availability of the fleet
• Steered teams through complex project phases to successful completion.
• Promoted team collaboration for more innovative solutions in projects.
• Led fire testing of all items for new fleet project
• Contributed to communications with trade unions by translating engineering documents to a more user friendly state
• Contributed to a £350 mil bid by writing technical reports on wheel spin protection
• Mitigated potential risks effectively, safeguarded against possible pitfalls within projects.