NPR Programme Development Lead

Network Rail; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28-day annual leave

Pension schemes

75% rail travel discount

Gym pass

Retail discounts

Job summary

Network Rail in the Eastern Region is seeking a Programme Development Manager to shape the NPR Leeds programme. You will sponsor development, manage client and stakeholder interfaces, and translate complex requirements into deliverable plans while balancing time, cost and benefits.

This role is York-based, with engagement across national and regional teams in a high-profile portfolio. Join a collaborative team delivering cross-cutting rail enhancements, contributing to safer, more reliable

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or equivalent.
• MBA or related postgraduate qualification.
• Experience with client portfolios at all levels.
• Ability to translate complex business problems into deliverable work packages.
• Proven influencing and negotiating skills.
• Experience leading a team.
• Commercially astute and customer-focused.
• Understanding of early stage development (ES2 to ES3).
• Experience building relationships with clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships balancing funder, Network Rail, and industry needs.
• Translate client remits into viable scope and budget.
• Develop initial project plan with milestones, timescales, and risks.
• Produce investment papers and board papers.
• Quantify risk and plan mitigations.
• Challenge plans for deliverability within cost/time.
• Hold delivery partner to contract terms.
• Communicate progress to stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial terms with customers.
• Comply with governance and safety requirements.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Project development

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Influencing

Team leadership

Communication skills

Time management

Problem solving

Rail network knowledge

Education

Degree or equivalent

MBA or related postgraduate qualification

Job description

Network Rail in the Eastern Region is seeking a Programme Development Manager to shape the NPR Leeds programme. You will sponsor development, manage client and stakeholder interfaces, and translate complex requirements into deliverable plans while balancing time, cost and benefits.

This role is York-based, with engagement across national and regional teams in a high-profile portfolio. Join a collaborative team delivering cross-cutting rail enhancements, contributing to safer, more reliable