Job Description

Network Rail High Speed Ltd. (NRHS) is responsible for operating and maintaining the UK's only international high-speed railway (HS1) owned by London St. Pancras Highspeed.
The 109km London St. Pancras Highspeed infrastructure consists of a diverse range of railway assets such as the track, signalling, overhead line, lineside buildings, depots, viaducts and long tunnels. NRHS is also responsible for operating and maintaining three international stations; St Pancras, Stratford and Ebbsfleet International.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, NRHS is privately financed under an agreement with our client London St. Pancras Highspeed, undertaking a diverse range of activities from railway infrastructure maintenance and operations - through to station facilities management and retail on behalf of our client.
Our Vision: For everyone to love High Speed 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. When you're part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions.
Brief Description
The role
We have an exciting opportunity for a period of 6 months as a Senior HR Business Partner.
You will work as an integral member of the supported business senior leadership team. You will proactively identify, plan and meet the people needs of the business in order to improve business performance.
Key accountabilities include the following:

• Working closely with the supported business area/s to develop, drive and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan to include; talent, succession planning and change management, in order to support the delivery of business objectives and drive a high performance culture.
• Act as an integral member of the business leadership team, building strong relationships with senior business leaders and other relevant stakeholders. Coach, advise and challenging thinking in addition to co-development, design and execution of integrated medium to long term people initiatives to meet current and future business needs.
• Act as a change agent; lead, support and contribute to change programmes, driving and championing the implementation of HR solutions within the supported business area, gaining acceptance from key stakeholders.
• Proactively manage trade union relationships, working with the Employee Relations team, appropriate HR Business Partners and managers across the business.
• Reinforce and support the ownership of people management by the business and line managers and the HR Business Partner model.
• Influence the centres of expertise development of strategy and policy through sharing business/functional requirements and inputting into development and execution planning.
• Work in collaboration with; Centres of Expertise, HR Shared Services, HR Direct and HR Business Partner teams to proactively identify and influence changes that improve HR service.
• Liaise with HR Business Partners in other areas of the business in order to work collaboratively on cross business/geographical issues.

This is a great fixed term opportunity to see what it's like to be a part of a truly unique business that brings the UK closer to Europe.
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by .
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a 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.
About the role (External)
The person
So, who are we looking for? If you can match the essential criteria below, then we look forward to receiving your application.
Essential

• Demonstrates strong business/commercial approach and understanding of business needs.
• Proven experience of working in partnership with senior business leaders in order to improve people management.
• Passionate about customer service with ability to articulate previous achievements through business deliverables.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing best practice HR solutions to drive a high performance culture.
• Ability to establish professional credibility quickly.
• Experience of coaching, influencing and building strong working relationships with senior business leaders.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence effectively with all levels of an organisation.
• Experience of working with senior leaders to identify, develop and retain talent.
• Excellent technical HR Knowledge - CIPD qualified or relevant experience to demonstrate level of competence.
• Proven track record of operating in a complex working environment.
• Broad experience of managing organisation change programmes e.g. TUPE, Organisation re-design, redundancy programmes, etc
• Graduate calibre
• Experience of working within a highly unionised environment (essential for roles supporting maintenance and operations functions)

Although it isn't essential, it would be helpful to your application if you also matched the below:

• MCIPD/post-graduate human resources qualification.
• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

How to apply (External)
The important stuff
The role is based at One Stratford Place, however frequent travel to our other office and site locations along the High Speed line is expected.
What can we offer you in return?
We follow a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the following pay range:
55,596 - 65,966 (plus inner London allowance 3,270)
In addition, we can offer you a rewarding career with excellent benefits, including:
? Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days) with the option to buy/sell days.
? Defined benefit pension scheme.
? 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
? Up to 75% off leisure travel.
?? Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
? Discounts at some stations with your Network Rail pass
? Flexible/hybrid working arrangements
?? Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
? Healthcare scheme, GymPass discounts, cycle to work scheme - plus more
? We offer generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
In addition to the excellent benefits listed above, please click on the link below to read on what we offer to our employees:
We want all our people to feel empowered to succeed, so we provide solid training and development opportunities to enhance your knowledge, increase your confidence, and enable you to achieve your career ambitions.
If you have been referred for a job vacancy in the Southern region of Network Rail, please complete the form below:
If you are successful in your application, you may be required to go through a security vetting process (depending on the role).
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We want our employees to reflect the diverse communities that we serve. We welcome different and fresh ways of thinking and encourage a culture where people feel empowered to act and we would consider flexible working.
Closing date and application process
The closing date will be 21 October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. Network Rail High Speed retains the right to close the advert early depending on application volume. This role is also advertised externally,
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Sarah Rose -
Drugs and Alcohol Standard
All prospective candidates who are offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a 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 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.
You can visit 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.

Skills Required