Network Rail
Programme Manager
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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.
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.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
About The Role
This opportunity is for two Programme Manager roles within the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), the pioneering programme delivering the European Train Control System (ETCS) at scale in the UK along the East Coast Main Line South. ECDP is the largest and most complex signalling upgrade programme for Network Rail, involving the deployment of both wayside and onboard signalling and communications technology across more than 100 miles of railway.
The programme impacts over 20 train operators and multiple rolling stock fleets, all of which require ETCS onboard equipment to operate on the route. ECDP affects every aspect of the railway system, and its successful delivery is critical to achieving Network Rail's long-term signalling strategy. It is also driving an unprecedented level of collaboration between Network Rail and train operators, creating new ways of working across the industry.
Please note, there are two roles available, X1 perm & X1 secondment until September 2027 (12 months).
These roles can be based at York, Derby or London Kings Cross.
Role 1: Programme Manager - Charter & Heritage ETCS Fitment and Business Change (12-Month Secondment)
This role is within the Charter & Heritage ETCS Fitment and Business Change Project. The role will support successful delivery for both the East Coast Digital Programme and the National Freight ETCS Programme, enabling freight operational migration to be completed.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Applying the PACE governance framework to the Charter & Heritage Programme (Fitment and Business Change) and securing sponsor approval at the required stages.
- Establishing and maintaining robust project controls, including RADIO management, resource-loaded schedules, financial forecasting, and change control processes.
- Leading delivery of the project scope (excluding Class 43 fitment), working closely with sponsors, commercial teams, and finance colleagues, including re-baselining the project where required.
- Managing project governance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to ensure delivery objectives are met.
- Undertaking line management responsibilities for both Network Rail employees and contract staff.
The role requires close engagement with the Network Rail Charter & Heritage project team, supply chain partners, and Charter & Heritage operating companies.
Role 2: Programme Manager - Infrastructure ETCS Deployment
This role sits within the infrastructure team and is responsible for leading the deployment and delivery of a portfolio of significant multi-discipline wayside ETCS projects.
The Key Responsibilities Include
- Applying the PACE governance framework to the Infrastructure Programme and associated projects, securing sponsor approval through each stage gate.
- Developing the contracting strategy for the remaining ETCS roll out on the East Coast.
- Establishing and maintaining effective project controls, including RADIO management, resource-loaded schedules, financial forecasting, and change control processes.
- Leading the development of delivery strategies for the remaining ETCS infrastructure deployments across ECDP.
- Client management of the supply chain alongside the commercial team.
- Leading the project management team, ensuring that the Train Control Partner, sponsorship and engineering are aligned.
- Proactively identifying and driving cost reduction and efficiency opportunities throughout the project lifecycle in line with Minimum Viable Product (MVP) principles.
- Undertaking line management responsibilities for both Network Rail employees and contract staff.
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Role
Both of these roles will role model and embed Eastern Region's culture principles - Show We Care, Listen Learn Improve, Better Together and Keep It Simple - by:
- Creating an environment of psychological safety and accountability where people can challenge and improve working practices.
- Driving collaboration across teams and partners to deliver whole-system outcomes.
- Promoting continuous improvement and learning from performance output.
- Ensuring clear, simple and focused governance and decision-making.
Key Accountabilities
- Deliver a portfolio of programmes and/or projects.
- Implement an assurance framework and KPIs for programme management activities.
- Develop and implement relevant programme management standards, processes and procedures.
- Develop and deliver a specific programme/project on time, to budget and to other agreed success criteria, within corporate guidelines.
- Produce investment plans for the programme in accordance with Investment Regulations.
- Deliver the effective development and management of suppliers and staff to meet all corporate rules and means of control (including standards), in particular those relating to safety, quality and environment, and disseminate lessons learned.
- Deliver the effective development and management of suppliers to meet programme requirements.
- Establish and manage collaborative cross-functional virtual teams to deliver change projects, where appropriate.
- Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.
- Develop the capability and professional development of staff within the programme and project management teams.
- Liaise with internal and external customers to address customer needs by fully understanding them and taking them into consideration in any strategic or policy changes that may arise.
- Discharge Network Rail's CDM related duties as required by company process.
Essential Criteria
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.
- Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills.
- Substantial proven experience in programme management.
- Excellent knowledge of programme and project controls processes and systems.
- Proven experience in managing and developing teams to achieve high performance.
- Proven ability to work with senior industry stakeholders to understand their requirements.
Desirable Criteria
- Chartered status.
- Membership of a relevant professional body - Project Management APM membership.
- Knowledge of the rail industry and its regulatory framework.
- Knowledge of the principles of investment processes and procedures.
- Experience of working in a commercial environment in a programme management role.
- Ability to clearly communicate with senior leaders across the partnership.
- NEC 4 Contract Experience.
- Service Management Experience.
- Knowledge and experience in discharging the Client Role under CDM 2015.
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Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
External How To Apply
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a Disability Confident Leader employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at mark.holt@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here.
Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information. Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role.
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness of our safety vision.
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3,333 (to a maximum amount of £2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave.
Salary: £71,163 to £86,801 per annum (plus an inner London allowance for London based roles).
Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
Please note, there are two roles available, x1 permanent & x1 FTC until August 2027.
Closing date: 31st August 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
What's In It For You
Here are a few of the benefits we offer
- 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days.
- Choice of pension schemes.
- 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family.
- Private Healthcare.
- 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
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