Network Rail
Head of Safety Investigations
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Who We Are
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent
Contact: If you require any support with your application, please click here for contact details.
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.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on train tickets.
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
Plus more....
About The Role
What does the average day look like?
In this influential leadership role, you'll lead major safety and operational investigations across Network Rail, working closely with senior leaders to understand what happened, identify root causes, and drive improvements that make a real difference. You'll provide expert advice on investigations, safety learning and risk management, ensuring lessons are learned and embedded across the organisation to prevent future incidents.
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You'll also help shape the future of rail safety by developing investigation standards, leading relationships with regulators and industry partners, and championing a culture of openness, learning and continuous improvement. From chairing national review panels to influencing industry best practice, you'll play a key role in improving safety performance across Network Rail and the wider railway industry.
A Little Bit About The Team...
Our team sits at the heart of Network Rail's commitment to creating a safer railway. We are a team of experienced safety and investigation professionals who lead some of the most significant investigations across the business, turning insight into action and helping to prevent future incidents. Through collaboration with senior leaders, regulators, and industry partners, we drive continuous improvement and influence safety standards across the rail industry.
The team is passionate about learning, innovation, and doing the right thing. We foster an open and supportive environment where curiosity, professionalism, and evidence-based decision making are valued. Together, we work to ensure that lessons are identified, shared, and embedded, helping to create lasting improvements for our colleagues, passengers, and the wider railway network.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 10th August subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.
We encourage you to review our Safety Vision, as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail
All external offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
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Who are we looking for?
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We're looking for an experienced investigation leader with a strong track record of managing complex investigations into major incidents within a safety-critical environment. You'll be an excellent communicator, able to influence senior stakeholders, build strong relationships, and translate findings into meaningful safety improvements.
You'll bring expertise in accident investigation, risk management, and safety governance, alongside a resilient, inquisitive, and empathetic approach. TechIOSH membership (or above) is essential, and experience within the rail industry or a similar safety-critical sector would be highly beneficial.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable successful examples of leading immediate investigative responses to major and serious incidents as a senior manager of a professional and expert team.
- Be a member of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) at Technical (Tech IOSH) level or above.
- Broad and extensive experience in accident investigation and report writing, including being able to make a compelling argument through expert communication skills.
- Expert management of complex, multi-discipline industry investigations, including application of accident investigation protocols.
- Significant demonstrable experience of the following attributes within the investigative process, establishing relationships, resilient, an inquisitive nature, and comfortable dealing with vulnerable witnesses and situational impacts in an empathetic way.
- A comprehensive knowledge of policies and standards, risk management tools and methodologies relating to accident investigation and demonstrable experience in their application.
- Strong commercial awareness and financial astuteness.
- Significant demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategies that provide tangible safety or asset management improvement within a safety-critical industry.
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