Programme Manager (Change) in London

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead the strategic development and delivery of Southern region's Safety Task Force 2 (STF2) programme. The STF2 programme aims to reduce the risk of trackworkers being struck or injured by trains by making work safer, simpler and easier. The STF2 model combines national coordination of common improvements with regional/ business unit ownership of implementation and evidence of adoption. As such, you will lead the work with teams across the Southern region, particularly those in the route-based Integrated Business Units, as well as with other regions and the national Safety Task Force 2 team. 

Reporting to the Health, Safety & Environment Director, you will provide visible leadership for the Safety Task Force 2 programme on behalf of the whole of Southern, driving the programme to a successful conclusion. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for Southern's STF2 programme, influencing stakeholders at all levels, and promoting a strong safety culture across a complex operational environment.

1. Deliver a portfolio of programmes and/or projects.
2. Implement an assurance framework and KPIs for programme management activities.
3. Develop and implement relevant programme management standards, processes and procedures.
4. Develop and deliver a specific programme/project on time, to budget and to other agreed success criteria, within corporate guidelines.
5. Produce investment plans for the programme in accordance with Investment Regulations.
6. Deliver the effective development and management of suppliers and staff to meet all corporate rules and means of control (including standards), in particular those relating to safety, quality and environment, and disseminate lessons learned.
7. Deliver the effective development and management of suppliers to meet programme requirements.
8. Establish and manage collaborative cross-functional virtual teams to deliver change projects, where appropriate.
9. Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.
10. Develop the capability and professional development of staff within the programme and project management teams.
11. Liaise with internal and external customers to address customer needs by fully understanding them and taking them into consideration in any strategic or policy changes that may arise.
12. Discharge Network Rail's CDM related duties as required by company process.

Salary: Band 2B (£71,163-£86,801) plus Inner London Allowance £3,270.

• Generous annual leave, plus statutory days, with the option to buy or sell additional leave
• Defined benefit pension scheme, providing long term financial security
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Travel benefits, including:
  • Up to 75% subsidised rail and underground season tickets
  • Up to 75% discount on leisure rail travel
  • Interest free loans for season tickets and station car parking
• Health and wellbeing support
• Enhanced family policies
• Carer's leave, recognising caring responsibilities outside of work

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

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All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.  Click here for more information

Depending on the role, candidates that are made a conditional offer, may be a required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your offer will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results will be securely held on Sentinel database and a five-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Network Rail adheres to pre-employment Baseline Personal Security Standard (BPSS), this is government standard for pre -employment vetting. BPSS government standard pre-employment vetting requires Network Rail to screen a potential employee's unspent criminal convictions and undertake 3-year career checks. Employment at Network Rail is subject to employees meeting the BPSS government standard pre-employment vetting.

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 another irrelevant factor. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

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. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

Network Rail positively embraces flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life.

Closing date: 18 November 2026.

Please note that this is a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to be extended or made permanent.

Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject
• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills
• Substantial proven experience in programme management
• Excellent knowledge of programme and project controls processes and systems
• Proven experience in managing and developing teams to achieve high performance
• Proven ability to work with senior industry stakeholders to understand their requirements
• Membership of a relevant professional body

Desirable

• Chartered status
• Knowledge of the rail industry and its regulatory framework
• Knowledge of the principles of investment processes and procedures
• Experience of working in a commercial environment in a programme management role