About Network Rail
At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.
Location
Bristol, GB
Department Name
OW W&W Portfolio Management (456700) G5
About Network Rail
At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network. Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more! The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.
About our people and the recruitment process
We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!
Benefits
* Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
* A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
* GWR ticket alliance – Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.
* Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
* A range of Pension schemes to choose from
* Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, which will be 60% office based, and enhanced family friendly support.
* 5 days paid volunteering leave.
* 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
Brief Description
The Lead Portfolio Manager will work across multidisciplinary station enhancement projects in the Wales & Western Region (W&W). This role includes leading a team to deliver Access for All (AfA) and existing station enhancements projects. The Lead Portfolio Manager will develop and manage the output specification, procurement and assurance reviews for the assigned projects within the Portfolio in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to cost, time and quality in line with Legislation, Company Standards, procedures, corporate governance and the Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) Framework.
About The Role
Your Main Responsibilities will be to:
* Control and lead and control the development of robust Development/Approval in Principle for assigned projects, focussing on specific and measurable outcomes, benefits and requirements, to achieve an unambiguous procurement exercise and efficient contract award.
* Identify and secure optimum options for clients and funders considering programme/schedule and cost options, contribute to the strategic planning, alignment and delivery of the business case for the assigned projects.
* Develop access strategies for assigned projects in Collaboration with Regional colleagues to achieve optimum balance between affordable, deliverable and of minimal impact to passenger and freight colleagues in alignment with Putting Passenger First Principles.
* Develop funding strategies for assigned projects to secure optimum incremental funding, embodying and promoting project SPEED and PACE Principles in the approach to investment proposals and decisions.
* Develop the specification and early stage embedment of appropriate, specific and measurable KPI / KRA into the pre-contract documentation for assigned projects to provide a foundation for active monitoring and measurement throughout the contract phase.
* Develop and implement contracting and procurement strategies for assigned projects within Legislative, Corporate Governance and procurement guidelines, adopting Agile Client Principles to transfer delivery and integration responsibility to the supply chain wherever appropriate.
* Conduct evaluation of supplier proposals to achieve timely contract award for assigned projects, in alignment with the overall programme objectives and strategic objectives of the Portfolio.
* Contribute to establishing the strategy for the contracting and financial authorisation processes of assigned projects to achieve a timely, risk managed approach to contract award, embodying Agile Client and PACE principles.
* Develop the facilitation and management of a progressive programme of Level 1 assurance reviews within assigned projects and undertake Level 2 assurance activities within the wider capital delivery portfolio as directed. Implement the measurement and monitoring of discharged and delegated responsibilities for assigned projects, generally for core systems and processes compliance, with particular focus on responsibilities under the Construction Design Management (CDM) 2015 regulations.
* Establish, implement and monitor the assurance framework appropriate to the stages of assigned projects within the Portfolio / PACE project lifecycle, implement an assurance regime that monitors the supply chain compliance with standard requirements and those identified in the specification stage and also the core requirements of delivering safely to time / cost / quality.
You Will Ideally Have (Essential)
* Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.
* Membership (or working towards membership) of the Association for Project Management.
* Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent.
* Demonstrable project safety management practice and knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and best practice.
* Knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
* Knowledge of procurement principles and processes.
* Knowledge and demonstrable previous application of assurance principles and processes.
* Demonstrable experience of the application of Construction Design Management (CDM) and the Common Safety Method (CSM).
* Knowledge and application of the Three Lines of Defence Assurance Model.
* Demonstrable experience of bringing different people together; promoting working as one team.
* Demonstrable experience of challenging self and others to improve services and approaches.
* Demonstrable experience of supporting the physical and mental well-being and safety of themselves and colleagues and of challenging business and safety related risks.
* Demonstrable ability to work proactively through complex issues.
* Demonstrable experience of thinking through the cost, business priorities and customer implications of their decisions.
What Could Set You Apart (Desirable)
* Detailed Knowledge of Investment, Commercial and Procurement regulations and practices.
* Demonstrable experience of the application of PACE
* Knowledge of structuring safety cases in support of projects.
* Formal qualifications in risk identification and assessment.
* Knowledge of Network Rail’s assets and how they are managed.
How To Apply
Salary: £55,596 to £65,966per annum.
Closing date: 13 th March 2026.
Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.
Click ‘apply now’ to apply.
Please note this is a 6-month fixed term contract opportunity covering maternity.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.
Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We’re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we’re working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.
We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your support with CV writing or interview preparation before submitting please contact Wales&WesternCulturalFusion@networkrail.co.uk or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com).
For all other updates, including on applications, interview arrangements, outcomes, or role-specific queries, please contact the Recruitment Team or Hiring Manager listed on the job advert.
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information.
Some of our jobs require that candidates who receive a conditional offer undergo and pass a face-to-face drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 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.
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 demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.
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