Project Planner (12 month Fixed-Term Contract / Secondment)

About Network Rail

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We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here .

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us , whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

Brief Description

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway. See the diagram for a breakdown of our services. To learn more, please click here to watch our video.

This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.

SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule. Watch our video Working in Supply Chain Operations

Working with us is More than a Salary

This role sits within Infrastructure Monitoring, an area of the business which provides a critical service that uses vehicle-based technology to digitally capture information about the condition of our railway assets.

We inspect tracks, overhead lines and more using our fleet of dedicated yellow trains fitted with sensor technology and smart cameras to virtually view our assets and identify potential faults to be fixed.

This means that regional engineers have the data they need to make informed and proactive decisions about maintaining and operating the railway.

About the role (External)

In this role, you'll create project and integration programme plans and schedules to support programme and project managers. Your goal is to ensure the client's or business's requirements are met in the most cost-effective and reliable way.
What are the key accountabilities in this role?

1. Interact and become a key member of the project delivery team providing a quality service to support the effective delivery of the project.

2. Interact and support the effective information sharing / collection with all the project stakeholders in an appropriate manner.

3. Prepare a project work breakdown structure and plan / schedule which is capable of delivering the project objectives and providing effective project performance measurement and reporting.

4. Develop the appropriate quality plan / schedule in line with the project scheduling principles and processes.

5. Monitor and progress the plan / schedule and make changes as required. Develop recovery schedules and contingency plans in order to meet changed objectives as necessary.

6. Input the planning issues into the project's critical issues risk log. Review planning risks and monitor whether the risk register is updated accordingly.

7. Report actual performance and variance against plan and forecast outcomes. Highlight key milestone and critical path issues to members of the team, provide an assessment of the impact of such issues and recommend solutions to correct the position.

8. Monitor and audit contractor plans. Monitor contractor's planning processes so that they comply with Network Rail procedure requirements.

9. Interrogate contractor's statement of progress for schedule adherence and payment purposes.

10. Identify key resource requirements and monitor that these are properly booked and availability is maintained.

What are the essential skills and experience we're looking for?

• Relevant experience in the successful scheduling of engineering projects.

• Knowledge of railway investment planning systems.

• Experience of using a number of project management scheduling tools & techniques.

We would also like, but it's not essential:

• Membership of a relevant professional body.

• Understanding of the engineering requirements of work on the railway.

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

How to apply (External)

Vacancy type: This role is a 12 month secondment / fixed-term contract post with the potential to extend or become permanent (unless a suitable redeployee is identified).

NB for internal applicants: Please note that secondments are subject to your line managers approval. Please discuss this opportunity with them before applying to avoid disappointment.

Location: This position is based at The Quadrant: MK, Milton Keynes (3 days per week in the office).

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working and limited travel as required.

Salary range: Band 4C, £43,588 - £51,719 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: xxx 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally only and externally.

Please that you will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria as part of the application process - please add this to your CV in one document .

Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - 'How to Complete Supporting Statement'.

If you cannot access the guide, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk and we will send you a copy.

Click 'Apply now' to submit your application. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk

If you would like any reasonable adjustments support during your application or throughout the recruitment process , please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.

Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'
For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
Changing a physical feature of our workplace
For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
Providing extra equipment or assistance
For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!

The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following;

• Competency Based Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

For further information about how we recruit, please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/

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

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details would be shared with the successful individual as part of their formal offer, if applicable.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

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