The railway is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As the industry evolves towards Great British Railways and a new era of public ownership, Network Rail is expanding its Systems Thinking capability to help solve some of the most complex strategic, operational and organisational challenges facing the railway.
We're looking for an exceptional transformation leader and systems-thinking practitioner to join this growing function and taking accountability for Network Rail's Eastern Region, the largest and most strategically important region in the UK. Stretching from the Scottish Borders to London, Eastern operates some of the country's busiest passenger and freight corridors, including the East Coast Main Line, Midland Main Line and Great Eastern Main Line.
This is a unique opportunity to influence change across one of the UK's largest and most complex organisations, working directly with executive leaders to improve performance, shape future operating models and deliver sustainable business outcomes.
This role goes beyond traditional transformation, programme management or continuous improvement. It is about understanding how complex systems behave, uncovering the root causes of organisational challenges and enabling lasting change across the business and wider industry.
As Senior Systems Thinking Manager, you will lead the design, architecture and delivery of high-impact systems thinking interventions across major regional and national transformation programmes.
Acting as a senior expert practitioner, you will work alongside Executive Directors, Functional Directors and senior stakeholders to address complex organisational challenges that span multiple functions, disciplines and operating environments. You'll help leaders see beyond symptoms, understand systemic causes and develop interventions that drive meaningful and sustainable improvement.
You will be responsible for shaping and delivering the regional Systems Thinking business plan, managing a portfolio of strategic programmes and ensuring resources are directed towards the areas of greatest organisational value.
A key aspect of the role will be developing capability across the business. You'll coach senior leaders, build systems thinking expertise within change and improvement communities, and help establish consistent, high-quality practice that enables the organisation to become increasingly self-sufficient.
You'll also lead and develop Lead Systems Thinking Managers and Systems Thinking Specialists, creating a high-performing team capable of delivering transformational outcomes at scale.
Working closely with the National Systems Thinking Centre of Excellence, you will help shape the future direction of systems thinking across Network Rail, contributing to best practice, capability development and organisational transformation nationally.
Why join now?
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing capability at a pivotal time for both Network Rail and the wider rail industry. The challenges facing today's railway are increasingly interconnected and complex. Addressing them requires new ways of thinking, stronger collaboration and a deeper understanding of how organisational systems operate.
As a Senior Systems Thinking Manager, you'll play a significant role in shaping how the organisation responds to these challenges. Your work will influence major transformation programmes, strategic decision-making and long-term organisational performance across regional and national portfolios.
This is an opportunity to operate at the highest levels of the business, working closely with executive leadership teams while helping to build a capability that will have a lasting impact on the future of Britain's railway.
Location and travel
This is a highly visible role that requires a strong presence within the business.
You'll regularly travel across the Eastern region network and sometimes nationally, working directly alongside operational teams, senior leaders and stakeholders to understand complex challenges first-hand and support transformational change.
The role will involve facilitating workshops, leading interventions, coaching leadership teams and supporting major programmes across multiple locations. Overnight stays and regular travel will form a routine part of the role.
Success in this position comes from building trusted relationships, immersing yourself in operational environments and working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.
We welcome applications from Systems Thinking professionals who have operated within complex, highly regulated and asset-intensive environments such as infrastructure, utilities, transport, aviation, defence, manufacturing, emergency services, public sector organisations and large-scale consultancy. Rail experience is not an essential criteria to be considered for this role.
You'll bring :
- Significant experience leading major, complex and multi-disciplinary transformation portfolios at organisational or enterprise level
- Deep expertise in applying systems thinking methodologies to strategic, operational and cross-functional challenges
- A track record of delivering sustainable business improvement and transformation outcomes through systemic interventions
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with experience partnering with Executive Directors, Functional Directors and senior external stakeholders
- Experience coaching senior leaders and building organisational capability in systems thinking, change and improvement
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex information and translate insight into strategic action
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams across multiple levels of an organisation
- The credibility, judgement and gravitas to operate effectively within executive-level environments
Ideally, you'll also bring experience in programme or project leadership, organisational change, operational leadership or continuous improvement disciplines.
What you'll get in return
Alongside a competitive salary and benefits package, you'll benefit from:
- £6,000 annual car allowance
- Family private medical insurance
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme
- Excellent pension provision
- 75% discounted leisure rail travel
- Industry-leading learning and development opportunities
- Access to senior leaders and executive decision-makers
- The opportunity to shape a growing enterprise-wide capability
- Significant career development opportunities across Network Rail and the wider rail industry
Join us
If you're a strategic transformation leader with the credibility to influence executive teams and the expertise to tackle complex organisational challenges, this is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Britain's most important national organisations.
Join us and help create the systems thinking capability that will define the next generation of railway performance and transformation.
