AMS PSR

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Lead Strategic Planner for a contract which is up to 6 months and is a hybrid role so does require up to 2 days a week in the London Stratford office

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail – Europe’s largest civil engineering project – to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!

The Lead Strategic Planner will play a critical role in shaping and leading high‑profile strategic planning work that informs Network Rail’s long‑term direction. The role provides strategic leadership across complex planning studies, acts as a key interface with internal sponsors and development teams, and ensures that externally commissioned work is robust, credible, and aligned to wider organisational objectives.

As a Lead Strategic Planner, your main responsibilities will be:

• Strategic Leadership & Study Management
• Lead and oversee high‑profile strategic planning studies, providing direction, challenge and assurance throughout their lifecycle
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, particularly sponsors and colleagues within Early Stage Development
• Team Leadership & Development
• Manage and support a small team, setting clear priorities and fostering a high‑performing, collaborative working environment
• Supplier & Commissioned Work Management
• Lead the management of external suppliers delivering workstreams including: Capacity analysis, Demand forecasting, Strategy development and Rolling stock considerations
• Customer & Market Understanding
• Apply a strong understanding of customers and partners, including: Train Operating Companies (TOCs), Mayoral Combined Authorities and Sub‑national transport bodies

Essential Skills

• Proven experience leading or managing complex strategic planning studies within transport, infrastructure, or a comparable sector
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levels
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and/or external consultants
• Sound commercial and analytical judgement — able to distinguish between high‑quality and poor‑quality evidence or outputs
• Confident communicator, capable of presenting complex strategic issues clearly to varied audiences

Desirable Skills

• Experience working within the UK rail industry or with public‑sector transport bodies
• Familiarity with early‑stage development, business case development or long‑term planning frameworks
• Understanding of rail demand, capacity, or rolling stock strategy (not necessarily technical expertise)

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".