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- Tasks: Lead major projects to enhance our railway system and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Network Rail connects people and goods, prioritizing safety and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, and discounts on travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transportation while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in client relations are essential.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role based in London for 18 months.
The predicted salary is between 46701 - 53589 £ per year.
Job Description
🌟 Join Our Team at Network Rail! 🌟
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here .
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
About our people and the recruitment process – We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
We care about people, and we're passionate about great service. We believe teamwork is key and the Anglia People Team is no exception. We have an ambitious people plan and want people that are committed to making Anglia a great place to work. You'll need to be flexible in your approach, and keen to learn.
This position is based at London Stratford Place. This is a fixed term/secondment opportunity for 18 months.
Brief Description
Direct and manage the development and implementation of major renewal and enhancement projects, funded by government, customer, stakeholder, or multiple funders, where Network Rail assumes a sponsorship role. Deliver the project benefit realisation to agreed scope, time and cost.
About the role (External)
Key Accountabilities
• Build effective relationships, (internally & externally) to balance the requirements of the client, Network Rail and the industry as a whole. Champion the interests of clients, customers and stakeholders acting as the focal point for escalation within Network Rail.
• Review and interrogate client remits to confirm their viability. Work with internal and external stakeholders to establish a scope which optimises client requirements, value for money, network availability and capacity for future development and whole life cost.
• Be responsible for the conversion of the client remit into an agreed project requirements specification. Be accountable for the development of the initial project plan and budget; working with the project manager to specify how the project is going to be delivered, expected milestones and associated timescales, resource requirements, risks & issues and funding needs/sources.
• Produce business cases and investment papers for projects.
• Devise solutions which maintain the 'business as usual' accessibility for our customers, take consideration of the 7 day railway principles and therefore minimise disruption to end rail users. Take a national/route wide view across portfolios to generate additional benefits, identify and resolve conflicting work and drive efficiencies.
• Lead the process of quantifying risk associated with the project. Devise mitigating actions and periodically review recovery progress.
• Interrogate and challenge plans to assess the deliverability of agreed scope within stated timescales and cost parameters, presenting any required scope changes to the client for approval.
• Hold the Project Manager accountable for programme delivery to cost, time and scope parameters. Hold periodic reviews to understand and challenge delivery progress against the client remit. Communicate progress status against defined milestones and expectations to stakeholders putting contingency measures in place if required.
• Negotiate with customers and stakeholders on the project's commercial and contractual terms in accordance with relevant corporate policy and strategy. Act as the focal point for negotiations and resolution of external scheme interface requirements, including any Parliamentary or Statutory processes, external consents issues to optimise the value of the scheme to Network Rail and funder(s).
• Comply with the requirements of investment regulations, other corporate governance and the Guide to Railway Investment Projects. Adhere to corporate processes, including those related to safety, finance, legal and corporate affairs.
• Facilitate the discharge of the duties assigned by the Client as detailed within the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations for the programme of projects allocated to you.
Essential
• Qualified to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of dealing with client portfolios and liaising with people at all levels
• Ability to articulate complex business problems into manageable work packages and produce synthesised logical solutions
• Proven ability to write coherently, conveying report / investment information in a concise manner
• Commercially astute, persuasive, and customer focused
• Proven influencing and negotiating skills
• Experience of leading a successful team
Desirable
• Experience in management roles in a commercial environment
• MBA or other related postgraduate qualification
Experience in negotiating contracts to finalisation and ability to demonstrate commercial success
How to apply (External)
Network Rail encourages 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 relevant factor. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We positively support flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and home life.
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. Applicants should demonstrate their personal dedication to safety in their application!
We follow a structured pay framework: Band 3B: Salary range : £46,701 – £53,589
Please note that this role is a fixed-term opportunity.
Closing Date: 28th February 2025
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including:
- 75% off the cost of a season ticket for travel to work
- £3270 Inner London Working Allowance
- 75% off leisure travel for you and your family
- Flexible working arrangements
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- A choice of contributory pension schemes
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!
We're continuing to build a diverse organisation which is representative of the people we serve. We want to harness the skills and expertise of our people and attract the best talent, to enable a safe and accessible railway for everyone. To learn why inclusion is important to us, please click here .
About our people and the recruitment process –
We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!
We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
Sponsor employer: Network Rail
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sponsor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Network Rail's mission and values. Understanding our commitment to safety, diversity, and customer service will help you align your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Network Rail values effective communication and relationship-building. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships or navigated complex negotiations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills by discussing specific instances where you've turned complex business challenges into manageable solutions. This will demonstrate your ability to articulate and address client needs effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your experience in leading teams and managing projects. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured project delivery within scope, time, and budget, as this is crucial for the Sponsor role at Network Rail.
We think you need these skills to ace Sponsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Sponsor position at Network Rail. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in managing projects, client portfolios, and your ability to articulate complex business problems. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in similar roles.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong influencing and negotiating skills, make sure to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders in the past. This could include successful negotiations or presentations you've led.
Demonstrate Commitment to Safety: Network Rail places a high value on safety. In your application, express your personal dedication to safety and provide examples of how you've prioritized safety in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail
✨Show Your Passion for Safety
Network Rail places a strong emphasis on safety. Be prepared to discuss your personal dedication to safety in previous roles and how you would prioritize it in this position.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Since the role involves building effective relationships with clients and stakeholders, come ready with examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in past projects.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Given the importance of negotiation in this role, think of specific instances where you've negotiated contracts or resolved conflicts. Be ready to articulate your approach and the outcomes.
✨Articulate Complex Problems Clearly
You will need to convey complex business problems into manageable solutions. Practice explaining a challenging project you've worked on in a clear and concise manner, focusing on your problem-solving process.
