Programme Planner

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to enhancing the railway experience for millions. As a Programme Planner, you will play a vital role in supporting the Programme Controls Team, working on high-profile initiatives. Your expertise in planning and project management will help ensure efficient program delivery while collaborating with senior stakeholders. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, with flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee well-being. If you're ready to contribute to a better-connected railway, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days)

Discounts at stations with Network Rail pass

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets

Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets

Volunteer leave

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and management of projects.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed programme schedules.
• Monitor progress and explain variances in plans.

Skills

Project Management

Planning

Communication Skills

Risk Management

Education

GCSE/A-level or equivalent

Relevant degree or professional qualification (APM PMQ, PRINCE 2)

Tools

Project Controls Systems

Job description

Location

Milton Keynes, GB

Department Name

ST Research & Development (571116) G1

About Network Rail

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. Click here to learn more.

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

Vacancy Details

Duration: Permanent

Location: This role is based in The Quadrant:MK with travel to the office 3 days a week. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered. For Quadrant:MK, you must live within 90 minutes of The Quadrant.

Band & Salary: Band 4C £43,588 - £50,018

Closing date: 07 th May 2025. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

Brief Description

Who are we looking for? We’re looking for a Programme Planner to support our Programme Controls Team. This role will work with multiple programmes including Target 190, a high profile initiative. You'll assist programme managers in developing robust plans in line with Network Rail best practices and monitor progress against them. Additionally, you'll provide PMO support, structuring and recording key programme information and communications.

Your key responsibilities will include developing and maintaining detailed programme schedules, monitoring progress, and explaining any variances. You'll play a crucial role in understanding dependencies between programmes and maintaining an integrated schedule, ensuring that updates are made if any external dependencies change. You'll also forecast, predict, and report on time spent across various activities to ensure efficient programme delivery.

Risk monitoring will also be part of your role, as you'll assist project managers with updating risk registers and providing risk reports to key stakeholders. Furthermore, you'll support programme managers by structuring information and producing regular reports and communication packs.

If you have planning or PMO experience and strong communication and collaboration skills, we’d love to hear from you!

About The Role (External)

About the team..

The Technical Authorityfor Network Rail provides strategy, policy and assurance as well as expert technical services to the business in asset management, engineering, maintenance, operations, safety, health and wellness, quality, sustainable development, security and information management.

Our key accountabilities are:

Innovate – Define and deliver national improvement programmes and commission research and development to achieve a better railway

Lead – Provide strategic leadership and guidance to Network Rail and external stakeholders

Assure – Assure Network Rail assets and safety performance by governing standards and frameworks and providing intelligence to support business improvement

Grow – Improve the health and vitality of our employees, grow our capability by developing competency frameworks and aligning competencies to industry developments and using management information, audits and investigations to identify best practice and continuous improvement.

What does the average day look like? The Programme Controls team for Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) sits within the Technical Authority as part of the Chief Technology Function. The team play a pivotal role in the management and governance of the RD&I portfolio, through analysis, financial, planning and risk data.

Essential Criteria

• Educated to GCSE/A-level or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills
• Proven experience in the planning and/or management of projects
• Good knowledge of programme and project controls processes and systems
• Proven ability to work with senior industry stakeholders to understand their requirements
  
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• A relevant degree or professional qualification such as APM PMQ or PRINCE 2
• Knowledge of the rail industry and its regulatory framework
• Experience of working in a commercial environment in a programme office and/or planning role
  
  
  

How To Apply (External)

Some of our great benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets.

️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Plus more….

BPSS

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information