Who We Are
At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network. Now is a fantastic time and join our team in Wales and Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation which will deliver:
- A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees - quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams.
- Individual rostering - enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault.
- Multi-skilling - investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves.
- Accelerated and improved technology deployment - we have a raft of labour and life-saving technology ready to be rolled out.
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When your part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.
We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here
About the role
Overview
Lead the development and delivery of Western Route's Safe & Effective Working programme, including planning, workforce safety, assurance and continuous improvement, to deliver the programme charters, ORR disposition statement commitments and access strategy. Direct the Programme Review Panel, driving progress, managing dependencies and resolving issues, and support Project Managers to deliver agreed safety, cost, time and quality outcomes. Act as deputy to the Senior Programme Manager (Safe & Effective Working), providing leadership across the team and representing the function as required.
Your Main Responsibilities will be to
- Develop and deliver a specific programme of work, on time, to budget and to other agreed success criteria within corporate guidelines including the Investment Competence Framework.
- Manage the effective development and management of suppliers and staff to meet all corporate standards, in particular those relating to safety, quality and environment, and disseminate lessons learned.
- Manage the effective development and management of suppliers to meet Programme requirements.
- Maintain effective relationships with key Investment customers and stakeholders, so that all communications with outside bodies (e.g. political, media, Local Authorities etc) are agreed by and managed through the Government and Corporate Affairs function.
- Undertake accident investigation when remitted by the relevant designated competent person
- Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.
- Lead and inspire the team to maintain full engagement in meeting business objectives.
- Manage and comply with company procedures to provide appropriate resources, communication strategies, training, competency and evaluate fitness of staff to safely deliver their accountabilities.
Pay and Rewards
Salary: This role is £71,163 - £86,801 per annum
As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!
- Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
- GWR ticket alliance ¿ Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network (48 passes per year)
- Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
- A range of Pension schemes to choose from
- Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, flexible working, flexible leave, and enhanced family friendly support
- 5 days paid volunteering leave.
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
- In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here.
More about the role and your application
Closing date: 18th November 2026 Late applications will not be accepted.
This role requires working in the office for a least 60% of the working week
To submit your application, click apply now. For tips to help you prepare and apply click here
We want to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity. Therefore, should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please do let us know by including within your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
Your experience and skills
You will ideally have
- Able to lead a team and motivate team members.
- Relevant experience in the successful management of major programmes of work in the construction and/or rail industries.
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of the principles of investment processes and procedures.
- Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety legislation, environmental and best practice.
- Construction design management competence
- Project safety management experience
Accident investigation experience.
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 demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.
What could set you apart
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
- NEBOSH/IOSH
- Knowledge of all Safety & Planning Standards
Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide. Some of these criteria may be learnt in role. Therefore, if you do not meet all the criteria, please submit your application. We will screen your application against these criteria to assess the best match.