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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a maintenance team and manage a section of the rail network.
- Company: Join Network Rail, celebrating 200 years of innovation in passenger rail.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, flexible working, and generous travel discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and efficiency in the rail industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing work programmes and promoting safe working behaviours.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 47730 - 56100 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
🌟 This is an exciting time to join Network Rail as we celebrate 200 Years of Passenger Rail: Innovating for the Future. It is not just a celebration, though – it\’s a commitment to continue delivering a simpler, better, greener railway. Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system.
Location
Kettering, GB
Department
Kettering Depot
About Network Rail
🌟 Join Our Team at Network Rail! 🌟 This is an exciting time to join Network Rail as we celebrate 200 Years of Passenger Rail: Innovating for the Future. It is not just a celebration, though – it\’s a commitment to continue delivering a simpler, better, greener railway. Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7, 365 days a year. From the first passenger railway in 1825 to today\’s AI‑driven predictive maintenance, the rail industry has continuously evolved. Now, as we enter Network Rail\’s Control Period 7 (CP7), the focus is on modernisation, sustainability, and operational efficiency. We’re passionate about great service and commit to our service equation vision by “Putting Passengers First”. Performance, safety and getting the fundamental basics right is something we strive for, as well as asking ourselves – what can we do to put our passengers and freight users at the centre of everything we do? 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 are 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. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave – with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
- Access to a range of contributory pension schemes and the potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
- Privileged staff travel – Leisure travel discount of 75%
- We can offer you a season ticket loan; annual season tickets are discounted.
- 35‑hour‑per‑week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work‑life balance
- Hybrid working and enhanced family‑friendly support
- Take advantage of childcare vouchers, healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
- 5 days of paid volunteering leave
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community
Discover more at www.networkrailcareers.com/benefits
Responsibilities
This is your chance to take charge of a critical part of the railway, where every decision you make keeps journeys safe, reliable, and on track.
- Lead a powerhouse team: Inspire and develop a large maintenance crew, driving performance at every level.
- Be the safety champion: Set the standard for inspections, maintenance, and renewals that protect millions of passengers.
- Deliver results that matter: Balance budgets, resources, and efficiency while hitting ambitious safety, quality, and performance targets.
- Shape tomorrow’s railway: Direct infrastructure projects that keep the network moving and evolving.
This isn’t just a management role – it’s a chance to leave your mark on one of the nation’s most vital systems.
About the Role
In this key role, you will be accountable for managing a section of the rail network. Leading a large maintenance team, you will enjoy significant responsibilities. Managing in‑house teams and contractors alike, you\’ll make a vital contribution to the success of our ambitious plans. From signalling to track and electrification, you\’ll proactively direct the work of teams delivering inspections, renewals and maintenance of diverse infrastructure assets. You\’ll be personally responsible for planning, inspecting and implementing important tactical works. This role is operational and will require on‑call and out‑of‑hours contact. Championing safety as a top priority, you\’ll have the authority to recommend any necessary renewals. Managing budgets and driving engagement and development across the team, you\’ll ensure that work is consistently delivered to performance, cost and quality targets. Due to the importance of your role, you\’ll be expected to respond to issues that arise, even when off duty.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of managing the production and delivery of a comprehensive and compliant work programme
- Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team
- Able to coach, influence and develop others
- Knowledge of discipline‑specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques
- Able to lead and implement change and improvement initiatives
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, both in person and in writing
- Comfortable working shifts including days, nights and weekends
Desirable Criteria
- Hold or be working towards an NVQ level 3 or 4 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or have attained an appropriate level of knowledge through equivalent relevant experience
- Able to promote and demonstrate safe working behaviours
- Knowledge of budget management and cost/waste control processes and techniques
- Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need
How to Apply
Salary: IMC40 T&Cs – salary starting at £47,730
Closing date: 25th February 2026 – Late applications may not be accepted.
Click apply now to apply.
Recruitment Process
- Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV.
- If your experience matches what we\’re looking for, you\’ll be invited to an interview.
You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you\’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or modifications, please add a note to your application. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Some of our roles require face‑to‑face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
EEO Statement
All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful completion of relevant checks. Click here for more information.
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Section Manager [Overhead Line Equipment]- Kettering Depot employer: Network Rail
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Section Manager [Overhead Line Equipment]- Kettering Depot
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Network Rail and their commitment to safety and efficiency. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or alumni who work at Network Rail. They can provide insider tips on the interview process and what the company values most, giving you a leg up when it comes to making a great impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you've handled challenges in previous roles, especially around safety and team management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the Network Rail team.
We think you need these skills to ace Section Manager [Overhead Line Equipment]- Kettering Depot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Section Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and delivering maintenance programmes, as well as any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with our commitment to safety and efficiency!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working at Network Rail and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering a better, greener railway. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Your Safety Mindset: Safety is our top priority, so make sure to emphasise your experience in promoting safe working behaviours. Share examples of how you've managed safety in previous roles, as this will resonate with us and show that you understand the importance of this aspect.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Network Rail's history and their commitment to safety and efficiency. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and innovations, especially around sustainability. This will show your genuine interest in the company and its mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Section Manager, you'll be leading a large maintenance team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your ability to coach, influence, and develop others. Highlight any specific instances where you promoted safe working behaviours.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role, such as managing budgets or responding to emergencies, and prepare your responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. Inquire about the team's current challenges or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career goals.