Join the Southern Region - Where Your Work Truly Matters
Covering Wessex, Sussex and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation and resilience are key, and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys.
We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From strengthening operational resilience and emergency preparedness to managing critical stakeholder relationships and ensuring business continuity across the network, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment where you can grow your career and make a real difference.
Project Manager Operational Resilience
Location: Basingstoke ROC / Southbank Central - Contractually based at Basingstoke ROC, with the requirement to also attend the SWR offices at Southbank Central"
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £46701 - £56963
Ready to strengthen the resilience of Britain's railway?
We're looking for a Project Manager Operational Resilience to lead key business continuity, emergency planning and operational readiness activities across Network Rail Wessex and South Western Railway (SWR). This is a critical role within the Integrated Business Unit, ensuring compliance with emergency planning legislation, including the Civil Contingencies Act, while supporting the safe and effective operation of the railway.
The role sits within the Joint Readiness and Resilience Team (JRRT). The JRRT is truly at the vanguard of integration, having been an integrated team (across NR and SWR) since June 2025.
Along with the rest of the team this role also has leadership responsibilities for the Year in Industry Student and Readiness and Resilience Apprentice and has responsibility for the Incident Care Team and emergency communications systems.
What You'll Do
Lead operational resilience initiatives
Manage and deliver business continuity, emergency planning and operational readiness programmes that support the safe and reliable running of the railway.
Ensure legislative compliance
Maintain compliance with emergency planning requirements, the Civil Contingencies Act and other relevant standards, policies and regulations.
Drive emergency preparedness
Develop, review and test emergency and business continuity plans, ensuring the organisation is prepared to respond effectively to incidents and disruptions.
Work with multiple stakeholders
Collaborate across Network Rail, Rail Delivery Group, train operating companies, emergency services, local authorities and other key partners to strengthen resilience capabilities and response arrangements.
Manage incident response capability
Oversee emergency communications systems and support the Incident Care Team to help ensure effective arrangements are in place during operational incidents.
Champion safety and operational excellence
Support investigations, identify lessons learned and implement improvements that enhance operational resilience and safety performance.
Develop and lead teams
Provide leadership, coaching and support to direct reports while fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Drive continuous improvement
Monitor resilience performance, identify emerging risks and implement initiatives that improve preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.
What We're Looking For
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels.
Experience delivering projects or programmes within a complex operational environment.
Strong understanding of business continuity, emergency planning or operational resilience principles.
Experience managing risks, resolving issues and coordinating multiple priorities.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others.
Experience working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Confident decision-maker with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage competing demands effectively.
It Would Be Great If You Also Have
Experience in business continuity, crisis management or emergency planning.
Knowledge of the Civil Contingencies Act and associated resilience frameworks.
Experience managing business continuity exercises, simulations or incident response activities.
Understanding of rail operations, infrastructure or other safety-critical industries.
Knowledge of operational risk management and organisational resilience best practices.
But don't worry if you don't have some/all of the above, we hire for the right behaviours and leadership qualities - we can teach you the skills mentioned above.
Important Information
- Attendance at a Network Rail or South Western Railway office is required a minimum of three days per week (role is based at Southbank Central in London and Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre)
- The role will involve occasional travel and participation in resilience exercises, incident response, major eventsactivities and stakeholder engagement events.
- On occasion you may be asked to work out of hours in support of our Route Control team or delivering emergency exerciseses
- You will be required to engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders across a diverse operational environment.
- Safety and security are at the heart of everything we do, and behaviours demonstrating a commitment to safety and security will form an essential part of the assessment process.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ross Liddell
Why You'll Love It Here
Perks That Pack a Punch
We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy and sell leave.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% discount on leisure rail travel.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact in your community.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter most.
- Healthcare Scheme.
- GymPass discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Plus much more.
We're All About Inclusion
We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from - if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.
About Your Application
As part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete your three-year employment history and upload your CV.
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll do our best to adapt the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities. If you require any adjustments, please include details within your application.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. You will also be required to undergo an appropriate level of security vetting for the role (CTC)
Safety and Compliance
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, and you should demonstrate your personal commitment to safety throughout the application process.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard
All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Any offer of employment is subject to successfully meeting these requirements.
Ready to help shape the railway's resilience, preparedness and response capability?
Apply today and join a team that values your expertise, leadership and commitment to keeping passengers, colleagues and communities safe.
¿ Help build a more resilient railway. Lead programmes that matter. Join Network Rail today.
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