Location
London, GB
Department
Eastern Region
About Network Rail
In Anglia, we have an exciting time ahead as we approach integration and support the future of the industry. We strive for excellence in performance and work hard to deliver every day for all our customers, passengers and freight users. We work collaboratively with our partners, experts and regional colleagues to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Role Summary
The head of maintenance role: The successful candidate will act as the key maintenance lead, working closely with stakeholders to align priorities and deliver high‑quality service to Network Rail’s customers. A strong emphasis is placed on safety, environmental excellence, and continuous performance improvement. We are looking for a proven leader with significant experience managing teams in complex, dynamic environments. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of railway infrastructure maintenance, health and safety compliance, and financial management. This person needs the ability to influence decisions and foster cross‑functional collaboration. This role is a member of our senior leadership team, reporting directly to our Infrastructure Director and the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their people leadership, decision‑making and influence particularly with other senior leaders, front‑line teams and trade unions.
Key Accountabilities
* Direct the management of safety within the geographical area and act as a role model in the promotion of safety and environmental excellence across all areas of control.
* Inspire excellence in the quality of service provided to Network Rail’s customers.
* Direct the team to achieve business and functional objectives and meet key performance measures. Create an engaging and motivating working environment in accordance with company values.
* Create a culture to enable customer and frontline employee feedback to be reflected in policies and procedures to deliver continuous performance improvement.
* Achieve financial, technical and safety targets agreed with the Chief Operating Officer. Monitor business performance of delivery units through periodic reviews.
* Lead delivery of maintenance in compliance with policies, procedures and standards and direct the effective management of contracts.
* Manage the development and implementation of safety, asset performance, reliability, productivity and efficiency initiatives. In conjunction with Head of Operations Delivery create plans to address customer needs and performance issues.
* Input to the development and implementation of national maintenance reliability, productivity and efficiency improvement initiatives.
* Provide input to business plans, policies, standards and network strategies.
* Act as the Designated Competent Person (DCP) for both formal and local investigations. Report on accidents/incidents and undertake investigations as required.
* Undertake safety tours and set the framework for safety, work quality and asset condition checks within the team.
Essential Qualifications
* Chartered member of a relevant professional body or equivalent experience.
* Significant successful experience in management in a dynamic complex environment.
* Recognised maintenance leadership capability.
* Able to demonstrate in‑depth knowledge and experience of health and safety management and compliance management processes.
* Proven ability to influence decision making and build cross‑functional / cross‑company relationships.
* Able to demonstrate in‑depth knowledge of railway infrastructure maintenance processes and techniques.
* Significant knowledge of rail industry.
* Successful experience of managing business unit financials.
* Able to demonstrate understanding of NR safety management system.
Desirable
* In‑depth understanding of the railway industry and its needs and interfaces.
* Knowledge of relevant standards and procedures.
How to Apply
We follow a structured pay framework Band 1B: £97,850 to £116,101.
Please note that this role is a permanent opportunity based in London and the Anglia geography.
Closing Date: 23 rd November 2025.
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including:
* 75% off the cost of a season ticket for travel to work
* £3,270 Inner London Working Allowance
* £8,000 car allowance
* 75% off leisure travel for you and your family
* Flexible working arrangements
* 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
* A choice of contributory pension schemes
Please be aware this role holds a mandatory requirement for the incumbent to hold valid security vetting clearance. Any offer will be conditional on the successful candidate obtaining clearance prior to a start date being agreed.
If you have lived outside of the UK in the last 3 years and have been invited to interview for this role, please notify us.
Equal Opportunity
Network Rail encourages 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 other relevant factor. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We positively support flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and home life.
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 dedication to safety in their application!
We are also a Disability Confident Leader employer and will try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
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