Rail Recruitment Manager

Location: Heathrow, West Drayton, West London

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience, with excellent earning potential and career progression opportunities

At Hamilton Bradshaw, we’re looking for an ambitious, commercially driven Rail Recruitment Manager to join one of our portfolio businesses and establish a new rail recruitment division.

This opportunity would suit an experienced recruitment manager or a successful Senior Rail Recruitment Consultant ready to take their first step into management. Your market knowledge, business development skills and ambition matter more than your current job title.

The opportunity

You’ll join an established recruitment business operating across construction, engineering and M&E, with a strong presence in airport construction.

With financial backing, operational infrastructure and an experienced compliance team already in place, you’ll have the support to build the rail division from the ground up. The business is working towards RISQS accreditation, with completion anticipated by the end of January 2027.

Initially, you’ll develop the business yourself: identifying opportunities, winning clients and building a profitable contract recruitment desk. As the division grows, you’ll make your first hire, build your team and progress into leading a substantial rail recruitment operation.

Target markets include:

• Rail construction and civil engineering.
• Station construction, refurbishment and regeneration.
• Route-side infrastructure and depot construction.
• Mechanical and electrical projects within rail environments.
• Major infrastructure projects delivered by Tier 1 contractors and their subcontractor networks.

The focus will be on medium to long-term contract staffing, building a sustainable contractor base.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in rail contract or temporary recruitment. Experience recruiting into Network Rail infrastructure projects is essential.
• Strong business development skills and a demonstrable track record of winning new clients.
• A good understanding of rail construction, civil engineering and associated M&E projects.
• Knowledge of major rail contractors, subcontractors and their supply chains.
• A sound understanding of RISQS, Sentinel, PTS and rail compliance requirements.
• Commercial awareness across margins, profitability and contractor management.
• The confidence to establish a new desk and develop long-term client relationships.
• The ambition and leadership potential to recruit, develop and manage a team.

Previous management experience is advantageous but not essential. We welcome applications from successful Senior Consultants with the commercial track record and ambition to progress.

London Underground experience would be particularly welcome, alongside knowledge of DLR and other light rail networks. Experience across other rail disciplines is also valued, provided you understand the construction and civil engineering elements of rail infrastructure.

What’s on offer

• Financial backing and infrastructure from an established recruitment business.
• Support from an experienced compliance and operational team.
• The opportunity to shape and lead a new division.
• Freedom to develop your market, client relationships and contractor base.
• Scope to recruit and grow your own team.
• Significant financial rewards linked to the division’s success.
• Progression into senior management and leadership roles.

This is an opportunity to build a business within a business, influence its direction and share in the rewards of its growth.

Location and travel

The role is based at Heathrow One, Bath Road, West Drayton, close to Heathrow Airport.

Applicants must live within a reasonable commuting distance and be comfortable travelling to client meetings and project sites. A full UK driving licence is required.

Interested?

Whether you’re an experienced recruitment manager or a Senior Rail Consultant ready for your next step, we’d welcome a confidential conversation.

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