Location
Leeds, GB
Department Name
IN TRU - Programme Management (457120) G2
About Network Rail
Key Information
Role: Principal Project Planner
Salary: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum
Location: Leeds
Contract Type: Full time (35 hours per week), permanent
Office Requirement: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days per week working from the office
Recruitment process: Our recruitment process includes an initial sift of applications, followed by a face-to-face, competency-based interview. Depending on the number of suitable candidates, a second sift may involve submitting video responses to motivational and technical questions
28 days annual leave + bank holidays
Employees will be entitled to a discretionary 75% discount off leisure travel this includes off peak and super off-peak tickets. Employees will also be entitled to 75% discount on season tickets.
Network Rail Benefits – To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
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. Click here to learn more.
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.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Transpennine Route Upgrade
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a £10.7 billion Programme of activities that is improving the railway between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield.
Stretching across the North of England, this key 76-mile Transpennine railway serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under 285 bridges and viaducts, passes through six miles of tunnels, and crosses over 11 level crossings.
Proposed improvements as will deliver a hard-working, reliable railway for passengers, allowing for trains with more seats, more services and faster journey times.
For more information visit www.theTRUpgrade.co.uk
Brief Description
As part of the Integrated Planning Team within the wider Programme Controls function, this role provides a unique opportunity to develop and manage end-to-end schedules for a complex, multi-stage, multi-disciplinary programme involving several organisations, including train operators.
The Principal Project Planner supports the requirements of DfT/Treasury, Network Rail/TRU programme boards, Enterprise Leadership, and delivery teams.Provides guidance and training to junior members of the function, aiding in the development of the future planning community.
Working within an integrated, cloud-based Primavera environment managed by the TRU Integrated Planning Team, the role enables collaborative planning that can respond quickly to emerging needs while supporting long-term programme objectives. This position also offers the chance to work closely with contractors, train operators, and Network Rail, contributing to innovative planning solutions for future delivery.
Ideal candidate
We're looking for a passionate individual who wants to be part of the Programme Integrated planning Team, to help drive the TRU Programme schedule and reporting to an outstanding industry leading level. The ideal candidate will be confident, driven and have a desire to make a real difference, bring innovation and a fresh vigour to the world of programme controls and integrated planning.
Key Qualities:
* Capable of providing insightful data through digestible mediums to various levels within the TRU Programme.
* Confident in raising concerns relating to qualitative and schedule performance data.
* Attention to detail to ensure periodic reporting is completed accurately and consistently.
* Organised and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
* Resilient and willingness to overcome challenges.
* Ability to constructively challenge current processes, supporting the continuous improvement of the programme.
* Support the collaborative environment within the programme, working as one team.
Why Join Us?
* Be part of a team driving industry-leading standards in programme planning.
* Work with cutting-edge tools, including an integrated cloud-based Primavera solution.
* Collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders across the rail industry.
* Influence and innovate planning processes for future programmes.
About The Role (External)
Some of the key accountabilities of this role are:
* Provide leadership in respect of the planning processes; identification of key stakeholders; communication; promote awareness of accountabilities and responsibilities, to junior members of team.
* Develop, maintain and progress quality programme plans / schedules in line with the functional processes and programme requirements.
* Maintain key interdependencies between projects and programmes confirming appropriate monitoring and action is undertaken as required in a timely manner.
* Demonstrate performance through agreed performance indicators the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme plans / schedules.
* Validate plans / schedules inline with the agreed Schedule Management Plan for completeness and fitness for purpose.
* Provide the key point of interface between the planning function and the project/programme teams and interface between the other project support functions such as Risk & Value; Cost Management etc.
* Oversee contractor schedules, confirming compliance with Network Rail/TRU procedural and quality requirements.
* Provide technical expertise and guidance to the project team and provide functional expertise as required.
* Support the continued personal and professional development of the planning resources within the project or programme.
We need you to have:
* Membership of a relevant professional body and/or have a CPD established to attain membership
* Relevant successful experience in the management, planning and delivery of major construction/engineering projects.
* Relevant successful experience of proprietary software planning/scheduling tools
* Previous knowledge and expertise within the field of project resource management.
* Good communication skills at all levels and a team player.
* Good information technology user skills. It would be advantageous:
* Experience of visualising schedule information
* Ability to distil complex information, into digestible formats
* Experience of verbal presentations
* Experience of automating schedule information into data platforms
* Advanced ability with Microsoft packages, particularly excel.
* Experience of supporting health and wellbeing within a team environment
How To Apply (External)
We are an inclusive employer of choice, Disability Confident Leader ! We encourage people to work flexibly and welcome applications from everyone Click here for more information .
Vi sit Evenbreak's Career Hive should you need accessibility support to apply. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact TRUResourcing@networkrail.co.uk .
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
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. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness in your application.
Salary: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum.
Closing date : 19 th December 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
* Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****