Network Rail
Senior Investigator (Employee Relations)
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
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.
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
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent
Salary: £46,701 - £56,963
Contact: If you require any support with your application, please click here for contact details.
We're looking for an experienced employee relations professional to join us as a Senior Investigator, Employee Relations.
In this role, you'll lead complex and sensitive HR investigations, helping to establish the facts, evaluate evidence and produce clear, balanced, and comprehensive reports. You'll manage investigations in line with our internal policies and UK employment law, making appropriate recommendations to support fair outcomes and organisational improvement.
This is an opportunity to use your professional judgement, analytical skills and employee relations expertise in a role that can make a meaningful difference to colleagues and the wider organisation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading investigations into grievance, disciplinary and Network Rail Speak Out whistleblowing cases.
- Identifying immediate and underlying causes, examining evidence and delivering reports that meet the agreed remit and timescales.
- Preparing accurate, robust and comprehensive investigation reports that clearly explain the findings, supporting evidence and reasons for the outcome.
- Conducting effective and sensitive interviews with witnesses and those who are the subject of an investigation.
- Managing a varied caseload effectively, including complex or sensitive cases.
- Building strong working relationships with functional, route and regional teams, the employee relations community, HR Direct and policy owners within our Centres of Expertise.
- Keeping up to date with policy and employment legislation changes and recommending improvements where appropriate.
- Identifying themes, risks and lessons from investigations, and sharing insight with the HR leadership team and wider HR community.
- Producing reports and presentations that promote shared learning, best practice and continuous improvement.
- Providing specialist advice, coaching and support to Investigation Managers to improve the quality of investigation processes and reports.
- Representing Network Rail at Employment Tribunals when required, clearly explaining and supporting the content and conclusions of investigations.
- Proactively developing your own knowledge and helping colleagues remain up to date with employment legislation and organisational changes.
The quality of an investigation can have a significant impact on everyone involved. Your work will help ensure that complex and sensitive concerns are considered carefully, objectively, and consistently.
By identifying themes, risks, and lessons from individual cases, you'll also help the organisation learn from investigations, improve its practices, and reduce the likelihood of similar issues happening again.
You'll provide valuable guidance to colleagues across HR, raise the standard of investigation practice and support fair, evidence-based decision-making across Network Rail.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 12th October, 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
Essential Criteria
Your experience and skills
- Proven experience of managing complex investigations in a fast-paced working environment.
- Strong knowledge of investigation practice, including preparing, reviewing, analysing and verifying evidence.
- The ability to conduct effective interviews with witnesses and subjects of investigations, supported by a good knowledge of interview techniques.
- Extensive and current knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and HR processes.
- A CIPD qualification or relevant experience that demonstrates an equivalent level of professional competence.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to influence and manage sensitive or challenging situations.
- The ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders.
- Strong analytical skills, sound judgement and a logical approach to assessing information and reaching evidence-based conclusions.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities while working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
It would also be beneficial if you have
- MCIPD membership, a postgraduate HR qualification or equivalent experience.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced, unionised environment.
- Knowledge of railway operations and different terms and conditions of employment.
- An understanding of Network Rail's values and how they apply to employee relations investigations.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London