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. 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
About the role
Ready to take the next step in your HR career and make a visible impact?
As a Human Resources Business Partner, aligned to our Sussex Route Maintenance teams, you'll have the opportunity to work at the heart of a busy operational environment, partnering with senior leaders to shape people priorities and drive high performance.
You'll provide trusted advice, coaching and challenge on a broad range of people matters, helping leaders tackle complex challenges and build strong, capable and engaged teams. Working with the Head of HR and Senior HR Business Partner, you'll play an important role in delivering the People Plan and ensuring our workforce is ready to meet the demands of a safe and efficient railway.
The role is based at London Blackfriars; however, as you'll be supporting our Brighton Delivery Unit, regular travel to and attendance at the Brighton location will be required.
What you'll be doing
In this pivotal role, you'll partner closely with the business to deliver impactful, value-driven HR solutions, including:
Delivering the People Plan and HR Strategy - Supporting Kent Maintenance in achieving its business objectives through effective talent management, succession planning, and change initiatives
Partnering with senior leaders - Building credible, trusted relationships and providing coaching, advice, and constructive challenge on both operational and medium-term people issues
Supporting operational delivery - Providing high-quality HR support across organisational change, senior appointments, pay and reward, and early careers programmes
Driving high performance - Designing and implementing practical, cost-effective people solutions that enable leadership effectiveness and operational excellence
Embedding strong people management practices - Promoting accountability and supporting leaders to confidently manage their teams in line with the HR delivery model
Working collaboratively across HR - Partnering with Centres of Expertise, HR Direct, and Shared Services to deliver joined-up, consistent outcomes
Engaging with Trade Unions - Building constructive relationships to support the successful delivery of business priorities in a unionised environment
Supporting cross-route working - Collaborating with HR colleagues across the wider organisation to address shared people challenges
About you
You'll be a confident and credible HR professional who thrives in a complex, operational environment and enjoys working closely with leaders to drive real business outcomes.
Your experience and skills
What you'll bring:
- A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to align HR activity to operational and business priorities
- Proven experience of partnering with senior leaders to improve performance and people capability
- A customer-focused approach, with a track record of delivering measurable business impact
- Strong experience of implementing best practice HR solutions in a fast-paced environment
- The ability to coach, influence, and challenge constructively at a senior level
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience of talent management, development, and succession planning
- A high level of technical HR expertise, supported by CIPD qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience operating within complex and unionised environments
- Practical experience of organisational change, including TUPE, restructuring, and redundancy programmes
Desirable
- MCIPD or postgraduate HR qualification
- Experience of delivering complex projects from concept through to completion
- Experience working within a rail, engineering, or safety-critical environment
Salary: £43,588 - £53,167 plus £3,270 Location Allowance
Closing Date: 24 November 2026