Digital & Data Engagement Lead

Network Rail; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity/paternity leave

Flexible/hybrid working

Annual leave 28 days

Station discounts

Pension scheme

Train ticket discount

Travel loan

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a senior Digital, Data and Technology leader in Birmingham to drive transformative digital and data initiatives across the organisation. You will partner with business leaders, shape strategy, and deliver measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and customer experience.

You will oversee demand planning for digital capabilities, influence priorities, and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and responsible AI principles while leading a diverse team across

Qualifications

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to articulate a vision with energy and passion.
• Commercial acumen and ability to work with business leaders and peers to establish and prioritise business critical work-streams and to establish benefits realisation mechanisms.
• Highly influential - ability to engage and work with peers to achieve the right customer outcome is central to the success of the role.
• Good technical understanding of the information systems industry, AI based technologies and digital / data based solutions.
• Understands, explains and able to present complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels in a persuasive and convincing manner.
• Demonstrable Safety Leadership capability. Positively encourage others to commit to the NR Safety vision and challenge unsafe practices and behaviours.
• Demonstrable ability to influence, negotiate and communicate at all levels across the organisation.
• Relevant experience in the management of diverse and complex infrastructure assets

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders and central Digital & Data teams, acting as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for digital, data, and AI initiatives.
• Develop deep expertise in modern digital, data, and AI technologies, staying ahead of emerging trends and identifying opportunities to apply innovative solutions to key business challenges.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business priorities, identify opportunities for improvement, and define measurable objectives that deliver tangible outcomes through digital, data, and AI solutions.
• Evaluate potential solutions by assessing technical feasibility, complexity, risk, and business value, ensuring the most appropriate delivery approach is identified across devolved business and central Digital & Data teams.
• Influence and negotiate priorities, scope, KPIs, and delivery expectations with stakeholders, balancing business needs with technical considerations and resource capacity.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance on digital and data solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, data governance standards, cyber security requirements, and responsible AI principles.
• Lead demand planning and engagement activities, forecasting future digital and data requirements and proactively identifying opportunities to enhance business performance.
• Champion the adoption of digital and data capabilities across the organisation, embedding best practice ways of working and increasing confidence in the safe and effective use of modern technologies.
• Monitor delivery performance and business outcomes, maintaining a strong focus on value realisation and recommending improvements to maximise benefits and successful adoption.

Skills

Relationship mgmt

Commercial acumen

Influence

AI & data tech

Safety leadership

Stakeholder comms

Education

Degree in technical field

Job description

Who We Are

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.

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

Some Of Our Great Benefits

• We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
• Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
• Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
• Interest‑free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

Plus more....

Vacancy Details

Duration: Permanent

Location: Birmingham Baskerville House

Band & Salary: Band 2B, £71,163 - £84,437

About The Role

The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers.

Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution.

As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway - we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool - it's the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant.

Get ready to embark on a journey where your skills will not just be utilised; they'll be honed and expanded. You're not just joining a team; you're becoming part of a collective force helping to build and operate a railway fit for the next 200 years!

What does the average day look like?

• Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders and central Digital & Data teams, acting as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for digital, data, and AI initiatives.
• Develop deep expertise in modern digital, data, and AI technologies, staying ahead of emerging trends and identifying opportunities to apply innovative solutions to key business challenges.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business priorities, identify opportunities for improvement, and define measurable objectives that deliver tangible outcomes through digital, data, and AI solutions.
• Evaluate potential solutions by assessing technical feasibility, complexity, risk, and business value, ensuring the most appropriate delivery approach is identified across devolved business and central Digital & Data teams.
• Influence and negotiate priorities, scope, KPIs, and delivery expectations with stakeholders, balancing business needs with technical considerations and resource capacity.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance on digital and data solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, data governance standards, cyber security requirements, and responsible AI principles.
• Lead demand planning and engagement activities, forecasting future digital and data requirements and proactively identifying opportunities to enhance business performance.
• Champion the adoption of digital and data capabilities across the organisation, embedding best practice ways of working and increasing confidence in the safe and effective use of modern technologies.
• Monitor delivery performance and business outcomes, maintaining a strong focus on value realisation and recommending improvements to maximise benefits and successful adoption.

Your Experience And Skills

Meet the essential criteria

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to articulate a vision with energy and passion.
• Commercial acumen and ability to work with business leaders and peers to establish and prioritise business critical work-streams and to establish benefits realisation mechanisms.
• Highly influential - ability to engage and work with peers to achieve the right customer outcome is central to the success of the role.
• Good technical understanding of the information systems industry, AI based technologies and digital / data based solutions.
• Understands, explains and able to present complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels in a persuasive and convincing manner.
• Demonstrable Safety Leadership capability. Positively encourage others to commit to the NR Safety vision and challenge unsafe practices and behaviours.
• Demonstrable ability to influence, negotiate and communicate at all levels across the organisation.
• Relevant experience in the management of diverse and complex infrastructure assets

Desirable

• Experience of leading behavioural change within a large organisation.
• Membership of a relevant professional body with chartered status.
• Significant experience in telecoms account management.
• Experienced in use of social platforms, to support business networking.
• Educated to degree level in a technical field or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of the rail industry and its regulatory framework.

Additional Information...

Contact: [e-mail] If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments.