Job Description

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Location

London, GB#

Department Name

GD Long Term Strategy (451180) G2#

About Network Rail

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!













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Brief Description

Vacancy Details

Duration:

Permanent

Location:

This role is based in

London Waterloo General Offices

. This role is a full-time opportunity; flexible working patterns will be considered.

Band & Salary:

(Band 4b) 35,582 - 42,218

Per annum (Dependent upon experience)

Candidates

must

submit a covering letter with their application explaining their motivation for applying and summarising their suitability for the role. This should be included in the same document as a CV, with the covering letter placed before the CV.

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About the role (External)

About the team

The Long-Term Strategy & Policy team in System Operator ensures that rail strategic planning is joined up with wider government missions, objectives and policy. We work to both inform government thinking, and also to reflect their objectives and transport-related policies in Network Rail's strategic planning. It's a team where big-picture thinking meets real-world impact, working in an ever-changing landscape where you can influence the future of transport right across the country. Our work informs decision makers at the highest levels of the rail industry and on occasion this requires working at pace in an agile manner.

About the role ...

You'll spend your time working closely with Network Rail's Regions establishing and embedding a framework for long-term strategic planning, ensuring that strategy and decision-making are aligned to government objectives. You may also find yourself analysing data to influence the development of strategy through evidence-based insights, or perhaps integrating outputs from strategic planning into a cohesive vision of the railway. And you'll also spend time engaging with national stakeholders - including government departments, NISTA, and National Highways - contributing to transport policy debates and responding to consultations.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for high-achieving individuals with a relevant degree (or equivalent experience), strong analytical and numeracy skills and a background in strategic planning - ideally within transport or other infrastructure sectors. An ideal candidate will also be able to evidence a sound understanding of the rail sector, commitment and achievement in previous roles, along with experience of using evidence-based approaches to inform strategy and decision making.

Essential Criteria

A degree in a relevant subject (for example, economics, mathematics, transport planning, or social/management sciences) or equivalent qualification Well-developed analytical, numeracy and insight skills

Critical thinking skills - an ability to analyse and assess information objectively, synthesising evidence from multiple sources to inform strategy and decision making in a complex system

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge and experience of long-term, strategic planning and/or investment appraisal in the rail and/or other transport or infrastructure sectors

Please see attached job description for full details.


Candidates are encouraged to make contact and discuss the role informally before applying.

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How to apply (External)

Additional Information

Closing date:

30th November 2025. However, early application is advised as we reserve the right to close the advert early based on application volumes.

Next Steps:

Interviews will be held W/C 15th of December 2025, depending on business requirements.

Some of our great benefits:

Defined benefit pension scheme


75% subsidy on train tickets


Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days


Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered


? Interest-free loan for train and car park season tickets


Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass





? Volunteer leave to make a positive impact


Plus more