Senior Strategic Planner
Added 18 Aug · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3549 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and Network Rail is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2455 (Construction project managers and related professionals, If the role focuses on infrastructure/construction planning). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
Who We Are
Join Our Team at Network Rail!
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. This role is a key part of the Strategic Planning team which sits within the Passenger Integration and Investment team. You can learn more about our region here: North West & Central region - Network Rail.
In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.
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.
About The Role
Develop route plans for specified routes and make certain specific maintenance and renewal plans are consistent with route plans.
Location
Join Our Team at Network Rail!
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. This role is a key part of the Strategic Planning team which sits within the Passenger Integration and Investment team. You can learn more about our region here: North West & Central region - Network Rail.
In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.
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.
About The Role
Develop route plans for specified routes and make certain specific maintenance and renewal plans are consistent with route plans.
Location
: The successful candidate will be based in Manchester.
This is a 13- month fixed-term opportunity.
As this is a role in a regional team, regular travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
What's In It For You
Package: This role sits within Band 3B. Salary range £46,701 - £56,963 Depending on experience.
Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:
Your Experience And Skills
What you'll be doing:
As a Senior Strategic Planner, you will lead the development of strategic plans by coordinating input from a wide range of stakeholders and ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer commitments, and regulatory requirements. You will analyse future capacity needs, review maintenance, renewal and enhancement plans, and develop long-term asset and investment strategies for strategic routes. Working across the rail industry, you will ensure strategies remain aligned with wider industry programmes, service specifications, and future operational requirements to support sustainable network performance and growth.
What You'll Have
This is a 13- month fixed-term opportunity.
As this is a role in a regional team, regular travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
What's In It For You
Package: This role sits within Band 3B. Salary range £46,701 - £56,963 Depending on experience.
Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:
- 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
- Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
- The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
- Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
- We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
- A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
- Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
- Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
- 5 days of paid volunteering leave
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community
Your Experience And Skills
What you'll be doing:
As a Senior Strategic Planner, you will lead the development of strategic plans by coordinating input from a wide range of stakeholders and ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer commitments, and regulatory requirements. You will analyse future capacity needs, review maintenance, renewal and enhancement plans, and develop long-term asset and investment strategies for strategic routes. Working across the rail industry, you will ensure strategies remain aligned with wider industry programmes, service specifications, and future operational requirements to support sustainable network performance and growth.
What You'll Have
- Experience of network strategy and business planning
- Understanding of the basic infrastructure issues which influence capacity
- Numerate degree or equivalent industry experience
- Good relationship management with good experience of cross-functional, collaborative working
- Good communication skills (both written and verbal) skills
- Good commercial and financial awareness, including understanding economic trade-off analysis
- Knowledge of rail industry and commercial framework
- Knowledge of Network Rail's sponsorship and investment processes and procedures
- Knowledge of project development and delivery processes
- A wide-ranging knowledge of the customers and assets of the route
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.
What does our recruitment process look like?
- Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV.
- If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an in-person interview.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Network Rail, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 3549 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~82k in sampleP25 £28kP75 £46k
£25kmedian £35kgoing rate £42k£46k
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Network RailAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Network Rail holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3549 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.