Operations Strategy Manager

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

This is a fantastic opportunity to drive the strategic vision for business continuity and operational resilience across the route, leading the development of innovative contingency, security, and emergency planning frameworks. Ensure the organisation is prepared to anticipate, withstand, and recover from disruptions while maintaining safe, secure, and reliable operations.

Band 3.C

Salary - £55,596 - £67,813 [DOE]

Here are a few of the benefits we offer:

Generous annual leave entitlement

Choice of pension schemes

Discounted leisure train travel for you and your family

75% subsidy on Rail and Underground season tickets

5 days paid volunteer or carers leave

My Benefits platform - giving national and local discounts on retailers, gym membership and more

Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know-we'll do our best to assist you.

For help with the recruitment process, please contact LNEResourcing@networkrail.co.uk.

PLEASE NOTE - all offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks: .

Your experience and skills

Key Accountabilities

Manage the development, implementation and review of the routes business continuity strategy, overseeing and defining work packages, tasks and objectives to deliver a programme aligned to the strategy.

Develop all loss of workforce contingency plans complying with policies, procedures and standards and providing seamless operational planning and delivery and joined-up decision-making across the route operation.

Lead the development and agreement of the routes Key Route Strategy engaging with and gaining agreement with internal and external stakeholders including TOCs, adjacent routes and Freight & National Passenger Operators route.

Develop, implement and co-ordinate the process to identify and maintain the routes contingency workforce requirements so that appropriate plans are in place, and maintained to enable the route to deliver a seamless operation in times of critical loss of work force.

Manage and deliver the competency assessment processes for the routes operational contingency workforce.

Own the routes overall contingency planning strategy including the establishment of robust processes and KPIs to provide a high quality service to both internal and external customers; within a culture of continuous improvement. Define governance frameworks to maintain appropriate quality and audit of adherence to process.

Provide strategic input into process improvements, to define the development of new and improved strategies for business continuity performance service improvement. Shape and build framework of service operations to meet future business demand.

Support the Head of Operations Delivery with operational input into route business plans, policies, standards and strategies.

Job Skills, Experience and qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Ability to attain rules and regulations level 2 competency

Ability to gain appropriate assessor competence

Successful experience in operational management in a safety critical industry

Significant knowledge of rail industry

Knowledge of relevant standards and procedures

Member of Institute of Railway Operators

Proven ability to influence decision making

Proven ability to build cross functional / cross company relationships

Proven track record of customer relationship management

Desirable

Previous experience of incident management

denotes post holder must attain relevant competency prior to carrying out activity

Key Information

Vacancy Details

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Salary:

£55,596 - £67,813

Location:

East Midlands Control Centre, Derby

Geographical Area:

Eastern England

Closing Date:

31-JUL-2026

Job Category:

Operations

Function:

Eastern Region

Organisation:

OA EM Head of Operations (118651) G4

Location Map