The Wessex/South Western Railway Integrated Business Unit is responsible for delivering safe, reliable and efficient railway infrastructure across one of the UK's busiest and most strategically important rail networks. Working in close partnership across operations, maintenance and capital delivery functions, we are committed to providing a high-performing railway that supports passengers, freight operators and the wider economy.
A key element to achieving this lies in the effective planning of Infrastructure maintenance work. To support the stepping up of a new proposed Infrastructure Planning organisation for Wessex Outer Delivery Unit, we are seeking an experienced planning professional to lead and shape Infrastructure planning activity. The successful candidate will be accountable for ensuring the right access, resources and equipment are in place to deliver a safe, efficient and high-performing railway. This is a highly influential leadership role, acting as the strategic focal point for planning activities across the short, medium and long term for Wessex Outer Delivery Unit.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .
Duration: Permanent.
Change: Please note that this post is included in the Plan2Track Infrastructure Planning Consultation Bands 1-4. The area of control for this role is the Outer Delivery Unit. If you would like further information on the proposed organisation, please contact the hiring manager, Michael Terry or [email protected].
Location: Eastleigh MDU*
- Network Rail supports hybrid and flexible working, but to successfully embed the new proposed organisation, and maintain strong ties within the MDU organisation, a strong presence and visibility in Eastleigh MDU and the wider Outer Delivery area are a requirement of the role.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 31 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 at the heart of everything we do at Network Rail.
You will act as the senior leadership focus and key final decision maker for all Delivery Unit (DU) planning activities covering work, resource and equipment planning. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring that renewals and maintenance work banks are translated into efficient, deliverable plans through the effective alignment of engineering access, people, logistics and resources. You will provide strategic direction across short, medium and long-term planning horizons and play a critical role in enabling the safe and efficient delivery of infrastructure maintenance and renewals activities.
This role will require you to:
Lead a multi-skilled team and direct the negotiation and development of safe, effective, and integrated Strategic Access Arrangements on behalf of the DU; minimising financial exposure, driving strategic aims, resolving access conflicts, and optimising outcomes for the whole Route.
Manage the design and delivery of the end-to-end planning process encompassing all functional units within the Route structure including operations, maintenance and projects. Develop standardised planning processes and monitor adherence through process confirmation.
Lead and direct the work planning, resourcing, logistics and access arrangements to enable delivery of the renewals and maintenance plan. This includes long term project access and where appropriate, long term maintenance cyclic access.
Develop and implement effective, measured and standardised planning processes across the route, with appropriate focus on continuous improvement
Direct the management of all aspects of the Engineering Access Statement and produce efficiencies through planning optimisation to deliver all required maintenance and project activity.
Provide visibility and transparency of renewals and maintenance work requirements and align access, resource and equipment to these requirements.
Act as the focal point for the DU for all planning activities in the short, medium and long term including contingency and capacity planning.
Own Service Level Agreements with route delivery units, specifying and monitoring planning services provided.
Liaise effectively with relevant stakeholders / senior managers in relation to access requests, renewals work transparency and maintenance work delivery requirements.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and direct project activities within planning and access processes to optimise engineering effectiveness.
Who are we looking for?
Are you a strategic planning leader with a strong service delivery mindset, experienced in leading people through change, building strong relationships with service users, negotiating agreements and navigating competing interests with diverse stakeholders across the railway system? Do you thrive on collaboration, delivering results in a complex operational environment and driving continuous improvement? Then we would love to hear from you! Join us and shape Infrastructure Planning for the Wessex Outer Delivery Unit.
Essential Criteria:
Member of a relevant professional body with chartered status (e.g. CEng or CMILT) and/or educated to degree level.
Relevant experience in the successful management of multi-stakeholder planning processes.
Knowledge of/experience in the UK railway industry
Strong commercial focus and financially astute
Knowledge of the principles of investment processes and procedures
Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety, quality and environment legislation and best practice
Excellent communication with demonstrable delivery of leadership and behavioural change within a large organisation
Desirable
How to apply
Band & Salary: £71,163 - £86,801
Vacancy type: Perm
Location: London Blackfriars
Closing date: 26th August 2026
We're an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.
We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter.
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
Discover all our benefits and what life is like at Network Rail.- click here
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All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
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