Network Rail
Head of Commercial [Capable Owner]
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Who We Are
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
About The Role
As the Head of Commercial [Capable Owner], you'll act as the principal commercial adviser and lead commercial support to the Network Rail Capable Owner Representative for the Southern Integrated Delivery Enterprise Agreement, ensuring effective governance, commercial stewardship, risk management, and continuous improvement of the Agreement to deliver successful enterprise outcomes and value for money.
Context
The Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) is a long-term (10 Year) collaborative enterprise established to deliver rail infrastructure renewals and associated works across Network Rail's Southern Region. The Enterprise brings together Network Rail and its delivery partners (AtkinsRealis, Octavius Infrastructure, Volker Fitzpatrick & Volker Rail) through the Southern Integrated Delivery (SID) Enterprise Agreement (EA), a multi-party alliance-style arrangement designed to improve safety, performance, efficiency and value through integrated planning, shared objectives, collective risk management and aligned commercial incentives. The Agreement provides the governance, commercial and operational framework through which enterprise partners collaborate to deliver the Southern Region's renewals programme, manage enterprise-wide risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement in delivery outcomes for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.
Lead Commercial Support To The Capable Owner Representative
In addition to the core responsibilities of the Head of Commercial role, you'll act as the principal commercial lead supporting the Network Rail Capable Owner Representative for the Southern Integrated Delivery (SID) Enterprise Agreement.
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The role provides strategic commercial leadership, governance oversight, and expert advice to ensure the Agreement operates effectively, delivers its intended business outcomes and remains compliant with its contractual, governance and assurance obligations. Acting as the senior commercial focal point for SID, the postholder supports the Capable Owner Representative in maintaining the commercial integrity of the Agreement, stewarding enterprise governance arrangements and driving value, performance, and continuous improvement across the Southern Renewals Enterprise.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the management of procurement and commercial activity within a given category group.
- Lead and inspire a team to drive the development, efficiency and effectiveness of individuals and the team as a whole.
- Lead the development of any customer relationships for which the team is responsible. Work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative strategies which meet business requirements, maximising benefits and efficiency opportunities and minimising risk.
- Lead the development of robust business-wide demand and prioritised opportunity forecasts for category spend. Maximise commercial advantage for the company by promoting cross-functional decision making and total cost of ownership principles, and monitor compliance to category objectives.
- Lead the communication of scope and benefits of strategies to senior, cross functional customers and stakeholders to gain their endorsement. Own demand data and regularly communicate requirements to the supply market.
- Lead the delivery of all sourcing and post contract management activities to meet the needs of the category strategy, customers and stakeholders, integrating safety and sustainability throughout the process.
- Monitor and manage performance against defined measures in order to continuously improve and develop the relevant category strategy.
- Lead the development of a range of complex strategic suppliers and manage relationships to deliver business benefit and performance optimisation from both supplier and Network Rail perspectives.
- Manage and comply with company procedures to provide appropriate resources, communication strategies, training and competencies, and evaluate fitness of staff to safely deliver their accountabilities.
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Your Experience And Skills
Job skills and experience:
We're looking for a commercially astute leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic outcomes within complex, stakeholder-rich environments.
You Will Bring
- Strong strategic thinking with a proven ability to deliver organisational objectives.
- Extensive commercial and supply chain management expertise.
- Demonstrable experience delivering significant financial and non-financial benefits.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at executive level.
- Proven experience leading high-performing teams and developing talent.
- Experience managing complex customer, client and supplier relationships from strategy through to delivery.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to manage risk while driving value.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Desirable Experience
- Recognised subject matter expertise within a relevant commercial or supply market.
- Experience within capital-intensive, asset-rich sectors such as rail, infrastructure, construction, utilities or transportation.
- Active involvement in relevant professional or industry bodies.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to influence one of the most innovative and collaborative delivery arrangements in the UK rail industry. You'll work alongside senior leaders across Network Rail and industry partners, helping shape commercial strategy across the Southern Region.
Salary: £85,395 - £104,160 plus £3,270 Location Allowance
Closing Date: 1 September 2026
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