Head of Commercial Services

Who We Are

Join Network Rail ! Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

About The Role

• Duration: Permanent
• Location: This role is based in The Quadrant, Milton Keynes or Enterprise House, London (for The Quadrant, Milton Keynes location, you must live within 90 minutes)
• This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered.
• Band & Salary: Band 2C £85,395 - £104,160 per annum depending on skills and experience.

What does the average day look like?

In this role, no two days are the same, but you can expect to spend much of your time working with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver commercial and supplier strategies that support amongst other areas our digital signalling programme. You'll lead discussions and negotiations on high-value contracts and funding agreements, ensuring the best value is achieved while managing commercial risks.

A typical day could involve reviewing contract performance, supporting procurement and tender activities, providing commercial advice to project teams, and ensuring all commercial activity complies with Network Rail policies and regulatory requirements. You'll also collaborate with industry partners and other major programmes to align commercial approaches, identify opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings, and help drive continuous improvement across the programme. Alongside this, you'll monitor supplier relationships and performance, contribute to commercial assurance activities, support supplier briefings and engagement and support the development and implementation of best practice procurement and supply chain processes.

About The Team

You'll be joining a supportive and collaborative Commercial team that plays a key role in keeping Britain's railways running efficiently and safely. We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to deliver value for money, ensure compliance, and support strategic objectives. It's a fast‑paced and dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and professional development is encouraged.

Hear what some of our brilliant team members think about Network Rail in this video

Who are we looking for?

Essential Criteria

• Proven commercial leadership at a functional level
• Successful experience in negotiating commercial arrangements
• Substantial experience in setting up, implementing and running 3rd Party financing and commercial arrangements
• Qualified to degree level in relevant subject area
• Chartered membership of relevant professional institution
• Thorough knowledge of construction and third party contracts and contract requirements
• Proven experience of balancing stakeholder expectations against the needs and capabilities of the business and suppliers
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Practitioner experience of risk management and contracts assurance

Desirable Criteria

• Wide and successful management background either in rail or construction industry with extensive experience at a senior level of procurement and contracting
• Experience of operating contracts and procurement processes and procedures within public organisations
• Experience of leading private financing programmes and/or complex multiple party commercial arrangements

What's in it for you

Here are a few of the benefits we offer

• 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
• Choice of pension schemes
• 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family
• Private Healthcare
• 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
• Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
• Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK
• My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount

To find out more explore Working for Network Rail

Contact

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact RSresourcing@networkrail.co.uk

Closing date

Tuesday 8th September 2026. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps

Interviews will be held W/C 21st September 2026, depending on business requirements.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.