ERTMS Programme Manager

gandwukeurope; Basford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Freightliner is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the IML ERTMS delivery, coordinating engineering, operations and commercial teams across the UK to align with Network Rail rollout plans.

You will act as the primary interface with Network Rail on Freightliner IML interests, manage budgets, milestones and governance, and drive delivery through a mixed internal and partner delivery model while supporting Freightliner's safety, efficiency and decarbonisation objectives.

Responsibilities

• Define and recommend the ERTMS delivery and contracting strategy for Freightliner IML.
• Translate national ERTMS programme developments into a clear, deliverable strategy for Freightliner IML.
• Ensure alignment between ERTMS implementation and wider Freightliner commercial, operational and engineering priorities.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts and cost controls, ensuring value for money for both Network Rail and Freightliner.
• Recruit, structure and lead the Freightliner IML ERTMS team, aligned to Network Rail agreed funding.
• Establish and operate effective project governance, including reporting, RAID logs, and escalation frameworks.
• Monitor progress against milestones, ensuring early identification and mitigation of risks and delays.

Job description

Freightliner is a leading UK intermodal logistics provider, offering rail, road and terminal solutions that connect ports, inland terminals and customer destinations across the UK. Through innovation, safety and sustainability, Freightliner delivers reliable, efficient and lower-carbon supply chain solutions for its customers.

In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Background: The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is a transformative, Europe-wide programme to replace legacy signalling systems, enhancing interoperability, safety and network capacity. In the UK Network Rail is delivering ERTMS through its Digital Railway programme, with major deployments across key freight corridors including the East Coast Main Line and TransPennine routes.

This role forms a critical part of the Freightliner ERTMS programme, with specific accountability for representing and delivering Freightliner Limited's (IML) interests. The Project Manager will lead the development and execution of the Freightliner IML ERTMS strategy, ensuring alignment with Network Rail's rollout plans while protecting and advancing Freightliner's commercial and operational position. The role will act as the primary interface with Network Rail on behalf of IML, ensuring Freightliner's requirements are clearly understood, appropriately prioritised, and supported by sufficient funding. The role carries full accountability within Freightliner governance structures for the successful planning and delivery of the IML ERTMS programme, including building and leading the IML ERTMS team and managing delivery through a combination of internal capability and third-party partners. This is a high-profile, safety-critical transformation project involving cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Operations, Commercial and external partners. The Project Manager will ensure the programme is delivered to time, cost and quality while supporting Freightliner's broader digital railway and decarbonisation objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and recommend the ERTMS delivery and contracting strategy for Freightliner IML, ensuring a flexible, value-driven approach rather than adopting a predefined model;
• Translate national ERTMS programme developments into a clear, deliverable strategy for Freightliner IML;
• Ensure alignment between ERTMS implementation and wider Freightliner commercial, operational and engineering priorities;
• Ensure the programme operates within Network Rail agreed funding frameworks, securing appropriate resource levels;
• Negotiate delivery timelines, requirements, resource allocation and funding arrangements;
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts and cost controls, ensuring value for money for both Network Rail and Freightliner;
• Support development of business cases and funding submissions as required;
• Develop and maintain a robust, end-to-end project plan with clearly defined milestones, dependencies and deliverables;
• Establish and operate effective project governance, including reporting, RAID logs, and escalation frameworks;
• Monitor progress against milestones, ensuring early identification and mitigation of risks and delays;
• Ensure full governance accountability providing clear reporting to IML senior leadership and programme boards;
• Act as the primary relationship owner with Network Rail, representing Freightliner IML's interests;
• Ensure Freightliner's operational and commercial requirements are fully understood and reflected in programme decisions;
• Represent Freightliner in industry forums and ERTMS working groups as required;
• Lead delivery of the ERTMS programme through a mixed delivery model, including internal teams and third-party partners;
• Manage delivery through third parties (including Heavy Haul Rail where appropriate), without structural reliance on any single provider;
• Ensure clear contractual, performance and output management across all delivery partners;
• Recruit, structure and lead the Freightliner IML ERTMS team, aligned to Network Rail agreed funding;
• Build capability in line with programme requirements, balancing permanent resource and specialist expertise;
• Create a culture of accountability, safety and delivery focus within the IML ERTMS team;
• Work closely with the Engineering Director and the Engineering function to ensure alignment between ERTMS requirements and Freightliner engineering capability and resources;
• Ensure integration with fleet, maintenance, driver training and operational readiness plans;
• Manage the operational impact of ERTMS deployment to ensure minimal disruption and safe implementation;
• Maintain comprehensive risk, issue and dependency management processes;
• Ensure compliance with rail industry standards, safety requirements and regulatory obligations;
• Support audit readiness and alignment with ISO (9001, 14001, 45001) fr