Job Description

Head of Sustainability & Social Value#

Location

Glasgow, GB#

Department Name

Scotland's Railway#

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, 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. Watch our video to find out more!


Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. 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.


Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don't always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.


We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer 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.












#

Brief Description

You will lead the climate action agenda for Scotland's Railway, shaping and delivering strategies that support ambitious net zero and wider sustainability goals, aligned with the overarching vision for Scotland's rail industry. Through leadership of a multidisciplinary team, spanning environmental management, social value, decarbonisation, and biodiversity, you will drive innovation in low-carbon operations and champion initiatives that deliver meaningful community benefits. Your work will play a crucial role in enhancing the railway's sustainability performance, strengthening stakeholder confidence, and positioning Scotland's Railway as a forward-thinking, responsible organisation at the heart of a sustainable and resilient transport future.

#

About the role (External)

Drive the strategic direction of sustainability across Scotland to support the development of a high-performing, climate-ready railway. Shape and evolve the regional sustainability strategy, embedding robust delivery plans, policies, and procedures that align with core business planning and operational processes. Lead engagement efforts and foster a strong culture of climate action by designing and delivering impactful change programmes. Collaborate with senior leaders to proactively manage sustainability risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities for improvement. Deliver full compliance with all sustainability-related obligations, including regulatory and corporate requirements. Act as the primary liaison with environmental regulators, representing Scotland's Railway on key sustainability matters.


To successfully carry out this role, you must have the following criteria: -


Essential

Member of a relevant professional body such as Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) with chartered status and/or educated to degree level in a related field. Relevant experience at a senior level in managing specialist teams in support of the delivery of railway operations and complex major construction projects and programmes Good understanding of risk management In-depth understanding of environmental legal requirements and experience in maintaining compliance obtained within a similar role and/or in-depth understanding of the Public Services (Social Value) Act, the Modern Slavery Act and other legislation related to social responsibility Good understanding of sustainability in the design and delivery of projects and railway operations Excellent report writing and presentation skills Strong influencing and leadership skills Good knowledge of railway and/or construction health, safety and environmental legislation

Desirable




Good knowledge of railway operational and contractual practices Good knowledge of construction practices Knowledge of Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Understanding of RM3, ISO, BAC and other models and management systems
#LI-SY1

Salary:

starting at 71,163 rising to 84,437 per annum plus 6K car allowance.

Closing date:

Midnight of the 19th August 2025. Interviews will take place in person on 27th and 29th August.


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.


You can visit Evenbreaks 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.



Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*


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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Head of Sustainability & Social Value#

Location

Glasgow, GB#

Department Name

Scotland's Railway#

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, 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. Watch our video to find out more!


Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. 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.


Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don't always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.


We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer 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.


We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here.











#

Brief Description

You will lead the climate action agenda for Scotland's Railway, shaping and delivering strategies that support ambitious net zero and wider sustainability goals, aligned with the overarching vision for Scotland's rail industry. Through leadership of a multidisciplinary team, spanning environmental management, social value, decarbonisation, and biodiversity, you will drive innovation in low-carbon operations and champion initiatives that deliver meaningful community benefits. Your work will play a crucial role in enhancing the railway's sustainability performance, strengthening stakeholder confidence, and positioning Scotland's Railway as a forward-thinking, responsible organisation at the heart of a sustainable and resilient transport future.

#

About the role (External)

Drive the strategic direction of sustainability across Scotland to support the development of a high-performing, climate-ready railway. Shape and evolve the regional sustainability strategy, embedding robust delivery plans, policies, and procedures that align with core business planning and operational processes. Lead engagement efforts and foster a strong culture of climate action by designing and delivering impactful change programmes. Collaborate with senior leaders to proactively manage sustainability risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities for improvement. Deliver full compliance with all sustainability-related obligations, including regulatory and corporate requirements. Act as the primary liaison with environmental regulators, representing Scotland's Railway on key sustainability matters.


To successfully carry out this role, you must have the following criteria: -


Essential

Member of a relevant professional body such as Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) with chartered status and/or educated to degree level in a related field. Relevant experience at a senior level in managing specialist teams in support of the delivery of railway operations and complex major construction projects and programmes Good understanding of risk management In-depth understanding of environmental legal requirements and experience in maintaining compliance obtained within a similar role and/or in-depth understanding of the Public Services (Social Value) Act, the Modern Slavery Act and other legislation related to social responsibility Good understanding of sustainability in the design and delivery of projects and railway operations Excellent report writing and presentation skills Strong influencing and leadership skills Good knowledge of railway and/or construction health, safety and environmental legislation

Desirable




Good knowledge of railway operational and contractual practices Good knowledge of construction practices Knowledge of Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Understanding of RM3, ISO, BAC and other models and management systems
#LI-SY1









#

How to apply (External)

Salary:

starting at 71,163 rising to 84,437 per annum plus 6K car allowance.

Network Rail Benefits

- To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

Closing date:

Midnight of the 19th August 2025. Interviews will take place in person on 27th and 29th August.


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.


You can visit Evenbreaks 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.

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


Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*


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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