About Network Rail

About Network Rail...

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!

Brief Description

Vacancy Details

Duration: 9-monthSecondment/Fixed Term Contract with the potential to extend or go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).

Location: Roles are based both nationwide (with travel expected 3 days per week including 2/3 overnight stays) and in London covering Southern region and Western route. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered. For Quadrant: MK, you must live within 90 minutes of the office or be willing to self-relocate.

Band & Salary: (Band 3C) £55,596 - £63,797 please note any salary offered will be within the advertised salary range and is dependent upon experience.

Who are we looking for?

We're recruiting for an exciting programme that will is supporting Network Rail and the industry on developing and deploying innovative trials to help build a better railway. You'll be working as part of a team on diagnosing the areas for improvement within a given system of work followed by rapidly co-designing, testing, and deploying solutions to the issues found. This includes areas such as stations, operations control, train performance management, timetable planning, and more.

There's no need for previous systems thinking experience, if you can answer yes to the following questions we'd love to hear from you:

Are you a visionary problem-solver with a passion for driving transformational change? Do you have the skills to coach matrix teams to analyse, design, and implement interventions that reshape the way we work? Would you enjoy traveling nationally to work collaboratively with frontline teams and leaders to deliver sustainable improvements? Do you want to springboard your career and gain exposure to senior and executive leaders through delivering high-priority business improvements?

About the role (External)

What does the average day look like?

In this role, you'll be right at the heart of Network Rail's transformation journey. No two days will be the same, but you'll regularly lead cross-functional teams to tackle complex business challenges-designing, testing, and refining new operating models that drive real improvement. You'll dive into data to uncover insights, assess performance, and identify opportunities for change. As a coach and collaborator, you'll empower teams to adopt systems thinking, building their capability to lead future improvements themselves. Engaging and influencing leaders across the organisation will be key to securing buy-in and sustaining momentum. From managing change activities to delivering hands-on project work, you'll ensure every intervention is delivered with precision-on time, to a high standard, and with lasting impact.

Essential Criteria

To excel in this role, you should have:

• Passion for Change: Successful experience and qualifications in business improvement approaches and business change (or willingness to gain them).

• Analytical Prowess: Proven ability to analyse and evaluate data to drive decision making.

• Influencing Skills: Proven ability to positively influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve desired outcomes.

• Collaborative Spirit: Advanced influencing, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• Team Leadership: Experience in managing cross-functional teams in a customer-focused environment.

• Systems Thinking: Demonstrable commitment to learning systems thinking to transform business operating models.

Experience and understanding of rail operations would be an advantage.

For a full list of Key accountabilities, essential and desirable criteria. Please click apply and you will be redirected to the Network Rail external careers website where you can find the Job description.

How to apply (External)

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact recruitment support RecruitmentSupport@networkrail.co.uk. Please ensure that you have the IREC number (IRC2317842) ready as you will be asked for this.

Additional Information...

Closing date: Sunday 1 st June. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: Interviews will be held W/C 9 th June, depending on business requirements.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

Application Process:

1. First Sift - We will CV Sift all applications against the essential criteria for the role.

2. Assessment (including competency-based interview questions and an assessment task)

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

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....

Network Rail operates, maintains and develops Britain's railway infrastructure managing 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and thousands of signals, level crossings and stations.