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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic rail planning studies and shape future rail infrastructure decisions.
- Company: Network Rail, a key player in the UK's rail industry.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in rail planning and work with top professionals.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic rail planning and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
Overview
Client: Network Rail
Location: Stratford, London (Hybrid - approx. 50% attendance)
Contract Length: Up to 6 months
Day Rate: Up to £720 per day
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Security Clearance: BPSS required
Deadline for CVs: Friday 8th May (4:00pm)
Interview Process: 1-stage (Teams)
The Opportunity
Network Rail is seeking an experienced Lead Strategic Rail Planner to take ownership of a high-profile mainline route study, supporting early-stage development and long-term strategic rail planning. This is a rail strategic planning role - not delivery or project planning. You will act as the intelligent client, leading and integrating multiple technical disciplines to shape future rail infrastructure decisions.
Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver a strategic rail route study end-to-end
- Provide direction across early-stage development and long-term planning
- Coordinate and integrate technical workstreams, including:
- Rail demand forecasting
- Capacity analysis
- Rolling stock strategy
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven experience leading strategic rail planning studies (e.g. route or network studies)
- Strong understanding of rail demand, capacity, and rolling stock (at a review/challenge level)
- Experience acting as an intelligent client, managing specialist suppliers
- Ability to assess and challenge technical outputs effectively
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Experience leading teams or managing consultants
- Background within Network Rail, TOCs, or rail consultancies
Desirable Backgrounds
- Previous experience working within or closely with Network Rail
- Knowledge of the Anglia and/or East Midlands rail network
- Experience in early-stage development or long-term planning frameworks
What This Role Is NOT
- Project planning (Primavera / MS Project)
- Programme or delivery management
- Construction or delivery-focused rail roles
- Generic strategy roles without rail systems planning experience
Ideal Backgrounds
- Rail strategy or systems planning roles
- Rail consultancies (e.g. Atkins, Arup, Jacobs, AECOM, SYSTRA, Steer)
- Train Operating Companies (strategic planning teams)
- Network Rail route or strategic planning functions
Rate Guidance
Target rate: Up to £720 per day. Exceptional candidates may be considered at £900-£1,000 per day, but only if working max 3 days per week. Full-time candidates must align with the rate card (no exceptions).
Additional Information
This client participates in the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) (Disability Confident Scheme / Armed Forces Covenant). Please highlight eligible candidates on submission.
Head of Strategic Rail Planning in London employer: Carrington West
Contact Detail:
Carrington West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Rail Planning in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network and connect with industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can leverage our connections to get insights about the role and even potential referrals, which can give us a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Network Rail and understanding their strategic goals. We should be ready to discuss how our experience aligns with their needs, especially in rail demand forecasting and capacity analysis.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to strategic rail planning. We can role-play with a friend or use online resources to refine our answers, ensuring we highlight our ability to manage technical outputs and engage stakeholders effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our applications and follow up easily if needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Rail Planning in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Strategic Rail Planning role. Highlight your experience in leading strategic rail planning studies and your understanding of rail demand and capacity. We want to see how your background aligns with what Network Rail is looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Talk about specific projects where you acted as an intelligent client or managed technical workstreams. This will help us understand your hands-on experience.
Engage with Stakeholders: Since strong stakeholder engagement is key for this role, include examples of how you've successfully communicated with senior-level stakeholders. We love to see how you’ve navigated complex relationships in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Know Your Rail Planning Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of strategic rail planning, especially around demand forecasting and capacity analysis. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences leading similar studies and how they relate to the role at Network Rail.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've managed relationships with both internal teams and external consultants.
✨Be Ready to Challenge Technical Outputs
Since this role involves interpreting and challenging technical outputs, think of instances where you've done this before. Be prepared to discuss how you assess and critique technical work, demonstrating your analytical skills.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the Anglia and East Midlands rail networks, as well as the long-term planning frameworks. Showing that you understand the context of the role will impress the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the position.