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. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Vacancy Details
Duration: Secondment or Fixed Term Contract for 2 years with the potential to extend or go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).
Contact : If you require any support with your application, please click here for contact details.
Some of our great benefits:
Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
Defined benefit pension scheme
75% subsidy on train tickets.
Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
Plus more....
What does the average day look like?
In Access Reform, your day is about creating clarity, alignment and momentum across a complex set of stakeholders and perspectives. You'll typically move between strategic thinking and practical delivery, ensuring the right people are engaged at the right time, and that complex issues are communicated in a way that lands with specialists and non-specialists alike.
On an average day, you might:
- Shape and deliver a stakeholder engagement plan for a key Access Reform workstream, mapping who needs to be involved, what they need from us, and when.
- Lead cross-functional sessions (workshops, deep-dives, working groups) to build shared understanding, test options, and move groups towards decisions.
- Translate technical, operational and policy detail into clear, relevant messages: briefings, narratives, slide packs and updates tailored to different audiences.
- Prepare senior leaders for key conversations, distilling the "what", the "so what", and the recommended way forward, including trade-offs and risks.
- Act as the connective tissue between internal and external partners, ensuring we close the loop on feedback and keep trust high.
- Spot stakeholder risks early (misalignment, misunderstanding, emerging concerns) and actively manage them to avoid delay or friction.
This role suits someone who enjoys making complex topics feel understandable and actionable, and who is confident working in sensitive, high-profile, and time-critical environments.
A little bit about the team...
You'll join the System Operator's Policy & Reform team, working on the Access Reform Programme. We sit at the intersection of policy intent, operational reality and industry delivery, helping to modernise and improve how access-related decisions are understood, discussed and progressed.
We're a team that values:
- Clear thinking and plain-English communication
- Pace with purpose, moving things forward without losing sight of quality
- Collaborative working across organisational boundaries
- A supportive, inclusive culture where people can do their best work
You'll work closely with a mix of policy colleagues, programme professionals, subject matter experts and senior stakeholders across Network Rail and the wider industry. While the content can be complex, you won't be expected to know everything on day one, we'll support you getting up to speed fast.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing W/C 3 rd August, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.
We encourage you to review our Safety Vision , as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail
All external offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for a business change manager who is experienced in leading engagement activity with confidence, credibility and tact, someone who is comfortable building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior leaders and teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, alongside the ability to create material and forums that build shared understanding and drive the critical outcomes of access reform across a wide range of stakeholders.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of delivering business change on a large scale
- Understanding of rail industry
- Demonstrated credibility and impact with senior stakeholders.
- Effective interpersonal skills and an ability to use influence to gain buy in to enable change to happen through others.
- A drive to deliver tangible outcomes which meet business requirements.
- An ability to work well under pressure in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
