Network Rail
Strategic Planner
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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
As part of the role, you'll identify both future challenges and opportunities for growth to then analyse potential solutions and develop options that would unlock improvements for passengers and freight users. To do this, you'll work collaboratively with other teams both within Network Rail and with our external partners (e.g. Mayoral Combined Authorities) to tie it together into a long-term strategy, which will be used to inform future industry decisions. The team are currently working on finalising long-term strategies for both the East Coast Main Line and the East Midlands amongst other projects.
The role also provides fantastic exposure to different areas of the rail industry that can provide further opportunities for the successful candidate to develop both their technical and communication skills.
This role can be based in York or London.
Key Accountabilities
- Facilitation of cross-functional input to the development of route plans.
- Develop route plans for specified simple routes and contribute to development route plans for more complex routes, both from internal perspective (i.e. Operating Route / Area) and external perspective (i.e. by strategic route), based on needs and priorities of stakeholders.
- Undertake analysis work for capacity studies, and develop train service specifications for assessment by technical experts.
- Work with the Senior Strategic Planner to undertake business appraisal of complex projects and route strategies. Identify industry benefits of rail capacity changes, journey time improvements etc. Specify and obtain demand forecasts.
- Work with sponsors of major asset renewal and enhancement schemes to develop in alignment with Route Strategies and the Capacity Utilisation study and develop, where appropriate, combined renewals and enhancement strategies.
- Prepare reports on route plans.
- Assist with the Route's input to the Business Plan.
- Assist in identifying the needs and priorities of stakeholders and monitor to ensure that they are being met. Participate in liaison with internal and external parties.
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Essential Criteria
- Degree or degree equivalent qualification
- Knowledge of Rail Industry and Network Rail's contractual commitments to customers and suppliers
- Analytical skills and numeracy
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Commercial and financial awareness, including understanding economic trade-off analysis
- Knowledge of rail industry and commercial framework
Desirable Criteria
- Good knowledge of the customers and assets of the route
- Knowledge of estimating techniques, risk analysis and economic models and tools
- Knowledge of project development and delivery processes
- Knowledge of Network Rail's sponsorship and Investment processes and procedures
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.
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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
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
£35,582 to £43,400 per annum (plus an inner London allowance of £3,270 per annum for London based roles).
Employee Benefits
- 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
- Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
- Gym Pass - access to gyms across UK
- My Benefits platform - giving national and local retail discount
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
Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
Your Experience And Skills
The ideal candidate would be:
- Analytical, they can establish problems by interrogating data and demonstrate problem solving skills through identifying potential resolutions.
- Comfortable with supporting engagement with industry stakeholders.
- Someone who can collaborate across multiple teams to achieve an overall goal.
- Enthusiastic and proactive in developing their skills and industry knowledge.
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.
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