Passenger Track Access Manager

OFFICE OF RAIL AND ROAD; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory agency is seeking a Head of the Passenger Track Access team in Greater London. This high-profile position involves leading a team to manage the transition to a new railway access regime while ensuring compliance with current regulations. The ideal candidate will build relationships with senior stakeholders, demonstrate the value of regulatory initiatives, and possess strong project management skills. A commitment to clear communication and strategic thinking is essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing teams and regulatory initiatives in the rail sector.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks and provide strategic direction.
• Strong project management skills to deliver regulatory outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Passenger Track Access team in the transition to a new access regime.
• Manage and deliver statutory access duties for passenger operators.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders to advocate for regulatory initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Clear communication

Relationship building

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

This role can be based at any of our office locations: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, York, Glasgow. At ORR we have adopted hybrid working and are currently expected to work from a workplace location for a minimum of two days per week or 40%.

The team deals with all ORR's statutory access and licensing casework and policy. This includes approving contracts to access track, stations and depots, connection contracts, and issuing licences and exemptions needed by all operators.

As Head of the Passenger Track Access team, you will lead your team in the transition from the existing ORR railway capacity allocation regime to the future one. Your project management and leadership will ensure ORR's current statutory access duties for passenger operators are delivered while shaping the future of access monitoring under rail reform. As part of the access and licensing leadership team, you will regulate railway infrastructure managers and operators as well as shaping ORR's strategic impact. This is an exciting time to join the team, as your work will be critical to supporting and implementing the design of the future access regime having an immediate impact on industry, Government, and ORR objectives.

This high-profile role sits within our Strategy, Policy and Reform Directorate and involves managing a team of up to three, as well as matrix-managing colleagues on others on projects.

As a highly motivated candidate, you will enjoy leading an experienced team to progress regulatory and policy initiatives at pace. You will build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to confidently demonstrate the value of regulatory evidence and advice. The role requires clear, persuasive communications, the ability to interpret complex and sometimes conflicting evidence, and strong project management skills to deliver outcomes.

You’ll quickly develop an understanding of technical processes (Railways Act, Network Code and Access and Management Regulations) and use this knowledge to shape the future regime. Success will depend on your ability to link technical details to strategic objectives and provide direction in a dynamic environment.