Lead Strategic Planner (Rail)
Location: London (Hybrid - approx. 50% office attendance)
Contract: Up to 6 months
Rate: Up to £720 per day (Inside IR35)
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lead Strategic Planner to support a high-profile rail infrastructure programme, focused on early-stage development and long-term network planning.
This is a strategic role, not a delivery or project planning position. You will act as an intelligent client and integrator, leading complex rail planning studies and coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a major strategic rail route study from inception through to completion
Provide direction across early-stage development and long-term planning activities
Integrate technical workstreams including demand forecasting, capacity analysis, and rolling stock strategy
Review, interpret, and challenge technical outputs from specialist teams
Act as the primary interface between stakeholders, sponsors, and delivery teams
Manage external consultancy inputs and ensure quality assurance of outputs
Lead and support a small team of planners
Represent the organisation across internal and external stakeholder forums
Essential Experience
Demonstrable experience leading strategic rail planning studies (route, network, or system-level)
Strong understanding of rail demand, capacity, and rolling stock strategy (at an interpretation and challenge level)
Proven experience acting as an intelligent client, managing specialist suppliers or consultancies
Ability to assess and challenge complex technical outputs
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Experience leading teams or managing external consultants
Background within rail organisations, consultancies, or transport authorities
Highly Desirable
Previous experience working within or alongside major UK rail infrastructure organisations
Knowledge of regional rail networks in the UK
Experience in early-stage development or long-term strategic planning frameworks
Important Note
This role is strictly focused on strategic rail planning. Candidates with backgrounds primarily in project planning, construction delivery, or programme management without relevant strategic planning experience will not be considered.
Rate Guidance
Up to £720 per day for full-time engagement
Higher day rates may be considered for part-time (3 days per week) subject to experience
Disclaimer:
This vacancy is being advertised by either Advanced Resource Managers Limited, Advanced Resource Managers IT Limited or Advanced Resource Managers Engineering Limited ("ARM"). ARM is a specialist talent acquisition and management consultancy. We provide technical contingency recruitment and a portfolio of more complex resource solutions. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission. Where the role is marked as Outside IR35 in the advertisement this is subject to receipt of a final Status Determination Statement from the end Client and may be subject to change