The role
will champion responsible growth, ensuring that strategic decisions are ethically sound, environmentally conscious and socially beneficial, while reinforcing VolkerRail’s core values of Integrity, Passion, Innovation, Collaboration and Winning.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Own and drive VolkerRail’s UK growth strategy across the markets, shaping long‑term market leadership.
2. Analyse rail market trends, funding cycles and procurement models to inform strategic decision‑making and investment priorities.
3. Identify and prioritise target markets, routes, clients and frameworks aligned to VolkerRail’s long‑term ambitions.
4. Work closely with Business Development, Bidding, Estimating and Operational teams to shape opportunity pipelines.
5. Develop and lead a Network Rail strategy, aligned to route structures, regional priorities and national investment programmes.
6. Translate strategy into delivery, producing clear tactical plans, ownership, timescales and capability requirements.
7. Convert strategy into secured work, supporting opportunity pipelines, major bids and compelling value propositions.
8. Build and maintain senior stakeholder relationships with Network Rail, transport authorities, industry partners and suppliers.
9. Champion sustainable, ethical and responsible growth, balancing commercial success with people, planet and long‑term value.
10. Act as a senior leader and role model, embedding strategy through governance, business planning and performance management.
About you
11. Degree‑qualified with chartered status (engineering or commercial) and a senior professional profile within the UK rail or transport infrastructure sector.
12. Proven executive‑level experience leading strategy, market growth or commercial development in a complex rail environment.
13. Strong understanding of Network Rail, including route structures, investment controls and procurement routes, gained through direct engagement.
14. Credible experience operating within devolved and client‑led transport environments, including Local Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives and/or light rail system owners.
15. A strong track record of turning strategic intent into secured work, shaping market entry, pipelines, major bids or frameworks.
16. Highly commercially astute and influential, with the presence to operate at board and executive level and balance ambition with long‑term value, risk and responsibility.
Why work with us?
VolkerRail is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.
By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerRail are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
17. Competitive salary
18. Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
19. Private medical care
20. Pension
21. Life Assurance
22. Cycle to Work scheme
23. Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
24. Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
25. Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
26. Employee Assistance programme
27. Mental health, physical health, and financial support
28. 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, inclusion and respect
We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
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Additional information