Sponsor | Troopr

About Network Rail

Key Information

Role: Sponsor

Salary: £46,701 to £55,411 per annum

Location: Manchester Square One, or Leeds Whitehall Quay (with regular travel between both and project offices)

Contract Type: Full time, permanent

Office Requirement: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days per week working from the office

Recruitment process: Our recruitment process includes an initial sift of applications, followed by a face-to-face, competency-based interview. Depending on the number of suitable candidates, a second sift may involve submitting video responses to motivational and technical questions

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Employees will be entitled to a discretionary 75% discount off leisure travel this includes off peak and super off-peak tickets. Employees will also be entitled to 75% discount on season tickets.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

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.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Transpennine Route Upgrade

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a £10.7 billion Programme of activities that is improving the railway between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield.

Stretching across the North of England, this key 76-mile Transpennine railway serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under 285 bridges and viaducts, passes through six miles of tunnels, and crosses over 11 level crossings.

Proposed improvements as will deliver a hard-working, reliable railway for passengers, allowing for trains with more seats, more services and faster journey times.

For more information visit www.theTRUpgrade.co.uk

Brief Description

The role of Sponsor on TRU is embedded into the project delivery directorate, working closely with the project team to deliver multi-billion-pound projects safely, successfully, on time & on budget.

This role will support the TRU W2BC Project, an 18+ mile project linking the newly electrified railway at Stalybridge to the 'in progress' remodelling at Huddersfield. The project involves the following:

• Replacing & upgrading track, signalling & E&P assets

• Installing 25kv electrification throughout

• Creating W12 gauge clearance across the route, including significant works to tunnels and structures

• Upgrading (and in some cases moving) stations across the route, to provide longer & fully accessible platforms, improved station environments and enhanced facilities

• Replacing & upgrading bridges and other structures to provide suitable clearance for electrification

• Providing a new 3 rd track from Marsden to Huddersfield to improve capacity.

As a sponsor you will support the submission and outcome associated with a Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO), work closely with local authorities to build support and confidence in the project plans, manage changes to scope, and interfaces to the project - such as colleagues in Routes and other adjacent projects.

The role will also include preparation for stage gate reviews, working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to provide inputs to the projects Final Business Case, and working with TOC colleagues within TRU's 'Enterprise Model' to develop & consult on both Network Change, and Station change proposals.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of, and influence a major project within the design phase, with construction works taking place across 2026-2034.

About the role (External)

Some of the key accountabilities of this role are:

1. Build effective relationships, (internally & externally) to balance the requirements of the client, Network Rail and the industry as a whole. Champion the interests of clients, customers and stakeholders acting as the focal point for escalation within Network Rail.

2. Work with internal and external stakeholders to manage & deliver a scope which optimises client requirements, value for money, network availability and capacity for future development and whole life cost.

3. Support the production of business cases for the project, with the Department for Transport.

4. Take a beyond project view to support generation of additional benefits, identify and resolve conflicts to work out and drive efficiencies (Integration) and external point of contact for the project for other enterprise and project teams.

5. Support the application for TWAO, coordination of utilities and obtaining planning permission, discharge and oversight of associated conditions.

6. Support the stage gate process across projects including developing recommendations for TRU Exec

7. Act as the escalation vehicle to the client where client authorisation is required for items not related to performance management. Management of regulatory change inc. network, station and depot change.

8. Support the TRU Key Output process for verification and validation of Benefits, developing Key Outputs and associated benefits incl. Key Output management across their specific lifecycle.

9. Comply with the requirements of investment regulations, other corporate governance and PACE. Adhere to corporate processes, including those related to safety, finance, legal and corporate affairs.

We need you to have:

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent

• Experience of dealing with client portfolios and liaising with people at all levels

• Ability to articulate complex business problems into manageable work packages and produce synthesised logical solutions

• Proven ability to write coherently, conveying report / investment information in a concise manner

• Commercially astute, persuasive, and customer focused

• Proven influencing and negotiating skills

• Experience of leading a successful team

It would be advantageous if you have:

• Experience in management roles in a commercial environment

• Experience in railway project development or delivery

• A broad understanding of the rail industry

• Experience of working closely with train operators and / or local authorities

• Chpp, MBA or other related postgraduate qualification

• Experience in negotiating contracts to finalisation and ability to demonstrate commercial success

How to apply (External)

We are an inclusive employer of choice, Disability Confident Leader ! We encourage people to work flexibly and welcome applications from everyone Click here for more information .

Vi sit Evenbreak's Career Hive should you need accessibility support to apply. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact EasternResourcing@networkrail.co.uk .

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

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

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 in your application.

Salary: £46,701 to £55,411 per annum

This role can be based in the following locations: Manchester Square One, or Leeds Whitehall Quay, with regular travel between these locations, as well as occasional evening stakeholder events between Stalybridge and Huddersfield.

Closing date : 9 th January 2026 Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.

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

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*