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Lead Portfolio Manager

IRC2354266

Lead Portfolio Manager

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 hereWe 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 IPDR

Industry Partnership for Digital Railway (IPDR) is a national and cross-industry enterprise with the mission of creating the next generation railway, through the deployment of European Train Control System (ETCS) digital train control technology. This represents a migration to a safer, higher-performing, more resilient, more efficient, better skilled, more productive, and greener railway, delivering passenger benefits in the areas of safety, punctuality and resilience, and taxpayer benefits through reduction in capital and whole life costs.

Within IPDR we also operate the Digital Signalling Portfolio to oversee the wider rollout of ETCS across Great Britain and make it easier for Regions and schemes to deploy ETCS. Through the portfolio we will co-ordinate and deliver fleet fitment activities, work to develop robust, repeatable approaches to technical delivery and business change, increase supply chain capability and capacity, and deliver initiatives to build the industry's capability to efficiently plan, design, deliver, operate and maintain an ETCS railway.

About the role

The role will focus on establishing and overseeing the delivery of projects to implement ETCS onboard fitment as part of the National Passenger train fleet programme. This includes implementing the agreed strategy, establishing and overseeing the projects needed to fit or upgrade passenger trains with ETCS.

Operating within a national portfolio environment, the role requires alignment between fleet strategy, operator readiness, deployment triggers and staged governance approvals.

IPDR is a founding and central part of GBRX, leading the national migration to European Train Control System (ETCS) digital train control technology. As the railway transitions toward a Great British Railways operating model, IPDR is helping to shape the standards, operating assumptions and cross-industry approaches that will define how ETCS is deployed and managed at scale.

Working within a wider team of commercial managers, engineers and planners, you will lead and coordinate the development of a programme of passenger fleet enablement and associated business readiness activity within the IPDR portfolio. We need someone with Project Management experience to effectively progress this work. 

You will lead the delivery of technical and commercial development activity to deliver the instructed scope to fit or upgrade ETCS onboard equipment on existing rolling stock, working closely with the wider portfolio team, rolling stock owning companies (ROSCO's), train operators (TOC's) and the Department for Transport.  You will also ensure that train operator business readiness plans are in place and integrated into the delivery plan.

This is a strategically significant role at the forefront of digital railway migration, contributing to the development of industry norms and governance approaches that will underpin passenger ETCS deployment in CP7, CP8 (Funding Period 1) and beyond. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Establish and oversee the delivery, within agree time and cost parameters, of projects to implement ETCS onboard fitment as part of the National Passenger train fleet programme.
  • Ensure that operator business readiness plans are in place and integrated into the delivery plan.
  • Deliver agreed deliverables within the PACE framework.
  • Oversee contracting and procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with legal, corporate, and governance standards, while fostering collaboration with the supply chain.
  • Deliver to scope and programme reflecting project SPEED and PACE principles.

This role is based in London Kings Cross and requires working from our office at least 3 days a week. 

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
  • Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
  • Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK
  • My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount

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

What we need from you:

  • Onboard train fitment Project Management experience is essential for this position.
  • Proven leadership, interpersonal, collaborative and influencing skills.
  • Understanding of key stakeholders and experience of cooperative working with stakeholders such as TOCs, ROSCOs, DfT, ORR.
  • Communication skills, both written and verbal, to ensure constructive dialogues with projects and the programme, and reporting to stakeholders.
  • Competency in, planning, monitoring, and controlling projects of similar size and complexity
  • Role modelling collaborative behaviours.
  • Strong experience in procurement, assurance processes, and project governance.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues proactively and think strategically about costs, business priorities, and customer impacts.
  • Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.
  • Professional qualification in project or programme management (e.g. APM PMQ or equivalent experience).
  • In-depth knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and best practice.
  • Understanding of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015).
  • Practical experience applying CDM and Common Safety Method (CSM) regulations.

 

 Other Desirable Qualifications

  • Experience of delivery of onboard ETCS ("digital") technology or rolling stock modification programmes.
  • Project engineering experience.
  • Understanding of UK Interoperability Regulations and vehicle authorisation processes.
  • Knowledge of portfolio management approaches (e.g. MoP) or programme methodologies (e.g. MSP).
  • Knowledge of investment, commercial, and procurement regulations.
  • Experience working within the PACE framework.
  • Familiarity with Network Rail's asset management practices.

Key Information

Vacancy Details

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours:
Full Time
Salary:
£55,596 - £65,966
Location:
London
Geographical Area:
London (Inside M25)
Closing Date:
04-JUN-2026
Job Category:
Digital Data and Technology
Function:
GBRX
Organisation:
GC IPDR (Programme Director) (382300) G4

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