Network Rail
Programme Manager (Change)
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Who We Are
Scotland's Railway plays a critical role in connecting communities, supporting the economy and moving people and goods across the country. This role offers the opportunity to influence how the railway is planned, funded and developed, with the programme informing decisions that will extend well beyond the next five-year funding period.
You will join at a formative stage, giving you genuine scope to shape how the programme is mobilised and delivered. Working closely with senior decision-makers and specialists from across the railway, you will gain broad exposure to strategic planning across infrastructure, train services, investment, finance, operations and government.
At Network Rail, you will be part of an organisation with a clear public purpose and a culture built around care, respect and teamwork. You will be supported to develop through personal development plans and wider opportunities including training and mentoring.
If you can bring structure to complexity, connect strategy with delivery and create the conditions in which people and programmes succeed, we would like to hear from you.
About The Role
We're looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead and coordinate the development of Scotland's Railway's Integrated Strategic Business Plan.
Sitting at the heart of the regulated funding process for Scotland's Railway, the plan will bring together infrastructure and train service planning and set out how the outcomes and outputs required by Scottish Ministers can be delivered within the funding available. It will provide the evidence and choices needed to inform decisions for the 2029-34 funding period, while taking a longer-term view where strategically important decisions extend beyond it.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape how Scotland's Railway plans for the future. Working across organisations and specialist workstreams, you will bring together infrastructure, train services, investment and delivery planning into one coherent, evidence-led plan.
The programme will address some of the most important choices facing Scotland's Railway, balancing long-term ambition with affordability, deliverability and risk. You will establish the programme discipline, governance and shared ways of working needed to turn this complex activity into clear, coordinated and deliverable plans.
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Working closely with the Head of Business Planning and Strategy, the Senior Responsible Owner, senior leaders, workstream owners and subject matter experts across Scotland's Railway, you will provide the structure and visibility needed to manage dependencies, maintain momentum and support timely decisions. You will also help create an environment in which organisations can plan collaboratively while retaining clear accountability for their decisions and delivery.
This is more than a programme management role. It is an opportunity to establish a lasting approach to integrated strategic planning and contribute directly to the future of Scotland's Railway.
What You'll Lead
- Shape and maintain the integrated programme plan, bringing together multiple workstreams, milestones and major submissions.
- Establish proportionate governance, assurance and programme controls that support clear accountability and timely decisions.
- Work with the Head of Business Planning and Strategy, Senior Responsible Owner, senior leaders and workstream owners to maintain strategic alignment and turn emerging evidence into clear choices and recommendations.
- Manage programme-level dependencies, risks, issues and resources, resolving conflicts and escalating matters where needed.
- Build strong relationships across Scotland's Railway, creating an open and collaborative environment across organisational boundaries.
- Provide senior leaders with clear insight into progress, confidence, risks and decisions, while helping to build programme capability and ways of working that can endure beyond the immediate programme.
Please submit a CV and supporting statement outlining your relevant programme experience and how you meet the requirements of the role.
How To Apply
Salary: Starting at £71,163 and rising to £86,801 per annum. Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
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Closing date: Midnight of the 26th of October. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency-based interview. If any additional stages or testing/assessments are to take place, you will be notified of these.
Click 'apply now' to apply.
We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
Your Experience And Skills
What you'll bring
- Experience of leading complex business change programmes or major projects involving multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
- A practical understanding of programme planning, governance, assurance, risk and dependency management.
- The ability to bring structure and clarity to complex or uncertain environments.
- Confidence working with senior leaders, supporting decisions and providing constructive challenge where needed.
- Strong communication, relationship management and influencing skills.
- A recognised programme or project management qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
What We're Looking For
- Relevant experience in the successful management of major and complex change programmes.
- Experience of applying programme / project methodologies
- Commercial and financial awareness.
It's desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role:
- Educated to degree level.
- Member of project association
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