Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead performance improvement strategies and manage key projects for Network Rail.
- Company: Join Network Rail, a vital organization ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, 75% rail travel discounts, flexible working, and more!
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a diverse team dedicated to enhancing the railway experience.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior management experience and knowledge of programme management required.
- Other info: We encourage applications from all backgrounds and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 116753 - 138991 £ per year.
OA Eastern Region Directorate (114100) G4
About Network Rail
Location: York – This is a regional role and can be based at one of our Eastern Region key locations of, either London, Derby or York.
Salary: £116,753 to £138,991 per annum
Car Allowance: £8,000 per annum
Role Type: Permanent, Full time
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.
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.
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!
In joining Network Rail, you\’re not only joining an organisation with a vital role to play for the country, but also a team of more than 40,000 people, and a business dedicated to being one of Britain\’s best employers.
Network Rail Benefits: In addition to the above, you can enjoy a fantastic range of employee benefits, such as:
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
- 75% discount on rail leisure travel for you and your family
- 75% subsidised Season Ticket for work travel (includes Underground)
- A range of pension options
- Annual Performance Related Pay package
- Flexible and agile working arrangements
- Discounts on shopping
- Discounted Gym memberships and much more.
For the full range of our fantastic benefits click here.
Brief Description
In the Programme Director (Performance & Change) role, you will lead the Eastern Region performance improvement strategy on behalf of routes and region. You will be required to provide strategic advice to the routes and region in relation to performance. You will also build performance strategy capability in the routes and regions. Along with this, you will work with other parts of Network Rail, such as sGBR, ORR and other industry stakeholders to maximise performance outcomes within the Region.
About the role (External)
Key Accountabilities:
- Own the programme vision and maintain the alignment to Network Rail\’s strategic direction.
- Direct and lead the delivery and implementation of the programme, taking personal accountability for its outcome(s) and the realisation of their associated benefits.
- Manage the programme\’s governance arrangements according to appropriate requirements and quality, including timely assignment and discharge of Construction Design Management (CDM) duties where applicable.
- Lead the interface with senior stakeholders and deliver effective interfaces and communications to all stakeholders.
- Identify and manage the key strategic risks facing the programme.
- Guide the organisation and its staff through the process of change and make necessary adjustments to programme deliverables to realise benefits.
- Commission and chair reviews both during the programme and following programme closure that formally assess the programme\’s continued alignment with its objectives, capability of delivery and measurable achievement of benefits.
- Manage and support the programme teams.
- Sponsor audit of programme and project documentation, activities, processes and systems.
Minimum Requirements:
- Extensive experience in a senior management role
- Experience of delivering strategic change programmes covering a budget of over £10m
- Effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
- Sufficient seniority and credibility to advise programme and project managers on their projects in relation to the programme
- Demonstrable knowledge of programme and project management approaches
- Strong commercial focus and financially astute
- Educated to degree level
- Knowledge of the rail industry
Research suggests that individuals from underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a job if they don\’t meet all the listed criteria. We are building a diverse and inclusive place to work where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We encourage you to apply for this role.
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 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 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 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.
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.
Closing date: 10th January 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Programme Director employer: Network Rail Limited
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Network Rail's strategic direction and performance improvement strategies. Understanding their goals will help you align your vision and demonstrate how your experience can contribute to their objectives.
✨Tip Number 2
Network Rail values effective leadership and communication skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed stakeholder relationships, as these will be crucial in the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the current challenges and opportunities within the rail industry, particularly in the Eastern Region. Being knowledgeable about industry trends will allow you to speak confidently about how you can drive performance improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your experience with managing large budgets and delivering strategic change programmes. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully navigated financial complexities and achieved measurable outcomes.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the Programme Director role and its key accountabilities. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize your extensive experience in senior management roles and your success in delivering strategic change programmes. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage large budgets effectively.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since effective communication is crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully interfaced with senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to guide teams through change.
Express Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Network Rail values diversity and inclusion. In your application, mention your commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and any relevant experiences that demonstrate your support for diverse teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail Limited
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Programme Director role and its key accountabilities. Familiarize yourself with Network Rail's strategic direction and how this position contributes to performance improvement within the Eastern Region.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your extensive experience in senior management roles, particularly in delivering strategic change programmes. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed large budgets and led teams through significant transformations.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial for this role. Be ready to provide examples of how you've engaged with senior stakeholders and facilitated effective interfaces. Emphasize your interpersonal skills and ability to guide teams through change.
✨Highlight Your Knowledge of the Rail Industry
Since knowledge of the rail industry is essential, be prepared to discuss your familiarity with its challenges and opportunities. Share insights on how you can leverage this knowledge to enhance performance outcomes within Network Rail.
