To provide strategic oversight on leading the finance team/s that manage the financial analysis and accounting operations of the relevant business areas, to deliver budgets and financial forecasts, month-end reporting, year-end activities as well as financial and non-financial analysis to support strategic insight and enable sound business decisions to be made. The role leads on financial risk management and collaborates with senior leaders to create risk minimisation plans and contributes to enabling financial systems are fit for purpose.
Key Accountabilities:
- Lead and direct the finance and corporate governance processes for the function, in accordance with statutory, regulatory, government and group financial policy and regulations, to remain compliant with Network Rail and relevant accounting standards (incl. International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS).
- Leverage business and commercial acumen to suggest appropriate strategic options, where sustainable financial plans and objectives can be developed. Evaluate, justify, and embed strategic options using various innovative methods to implement strategy and manage change to effectively deliver business objectives.
- Oversee all financial accounting, analysis, and reporting activities (incl. Profit & Loss, balance sheet, cashflow reporting), whilst enabling robust financial controls and governance for the associated function, with particular focus on managing public money principles to reduce risk to the business.
- Lead the team to produce insightful management reporting and analysis. Advise and influence senior stakeholders on appropriate strategies to manage business and organisational performance in relation to business and finance risks, while communicating the impact effectively to influence strategic decisions.
- Lead and coach the finance team in their day-to-day operations of the core financial and analytical activities and create a positive team environment by identifying strengths of individuals and empowering them to collaborate effectively.
- Create policies and systems for internal financial control and challenge stakeholders to support the integrity of assets and the associated financial records, to reduce financial and reputational risks to the business.
- Identify opportunities for efficiencies and challenge business partners on their value offering as part of the commitment towards continuous improvement and to enable more efficient and effective business decisions.
- Lead the business planning process through strong business partnering and influencing stakeholder at all levels to optimally utilise taxpayer's funds. Create innovative approaches towards directing effective budgeting and financial forecasting and monitoring to improve financial performance and trends to enable better business planning to allow for sound management decisions and effective use of public funds and resources.
- Consult on the design and use of the latest technology and information systems for finance to evolve decision making and organisational performance in line with advancements in current technologies.
Essential Criteria:
Desirable Criteria:
- Wide and successful background either in rail or construction industry with extensive experience at a senior level
- Experience of working in the public sector
- Experience of dealing with third party funding arrangements
Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
External how to apply:
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a Disability Confident Leader employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at [email protected]. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. . Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role."
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. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness of our safety vision .
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3,333 (to a maximum amount of £2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave
Salary: £85,395 to £104,160 per annum, pro rata.
*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
Closing date 9 th July 2026.. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
