Project Management Assistant

Network Rail; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Pension schemes

Bonus potential

Rail season tickets subsidy

Staff travel discount 75%

Season ticket loan

35 hours per week

Hybrid working

Healthcare offers

Volunteering leave

Armed Forces reserve leave

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Project Management Assistant to support the delivery of projects within the North West & Central region. Based in Manchester, you will work with the Capital Delivery team to ensure projects meet time, cost and quality targets.

You will assist with contractor processes, risk assessments and reporting, while helping maintain high standards of governance and safety across projects. A hybrid working arrangement and regional travel are involved.

Qualifications

• HSQE awareness, issues and principles.
• Membership (or working towards) of the Association for Project Management is desirable.
• A degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, environmental, commercial and financial aspects.

Responsibilities

• Support the project management team in the daily management of projects in line with GRIP, Network Rail standards and CDM regulations.
• Process contractor possession and isolation applications and monitor progress against timescales.
• Produce regular progress reports and maintain safe working environments and risk assessments.

Skills

HSQE awareness

Education

HND/HNC or equivalent

Degree or equivalent

APM membership desirable

Job description

You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. You can learn more about our region here: North West & Central region - Network Rail .

Are you ready to be part of the driving force behind the region's rail transformation? Our Capital Delivery team is at the heart of delivering innovative projects that meet the soaring demand for rail travel. Here's how we make a difference:

Boosting Capacity:We expand our network to welcome more passengers and increase freight movements.

Enhancing Speed and Reliability:By upgrading tracks, we enable faster trains and shorter journey times.

Renewing Infrastructure:We keep the network dependable, ensuring smooth travel for people and goods.

Revamping Stations:We elevate the passenger experience with modern, user-friendly stations.

Our team members bring a wealth of expertise and experience, allowing us to tackle a diverse range of projects, from high-speed, high-volume tasks to politically sensitive and complex challenges.

Collectively, we commit to 'Making Tracks Together' across Capital Delivery and our Supply Chain, to drive efficiency, champion safety, and build the best possible railway for passengers and freight. This pledge is driven by innovation, shapes our interactions and defines our commitment to excellence.

Why North West & Central?

In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail .

We're alsoa Disability Confident Leader employerand we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

About the role

To support the project management team in the every day management of projects for which they are responsible, in accordance with the Guide to Railway Investment Projects (GRIP), Railway Group, Network Rail's company standards, and all current applicable legislation including CDM Regulations.

Package: This role sits within Band 5, salary range £28,000 - £32,000 Depending on experience.

Location: The successful candidate can be based in Manchester Square One.

Interviews are anticipated to take place on Tuesday 29 th September (Subject to change).

As this is a role in a regional team, occasional travel across NW&C is required.Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.

What's in it for you

Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:

• 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
• The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

As a Project Management Assistant, you will work as part of a project team to support the safe and environmentally responsible delivery of projects, ensuring objectives are achieved to agreed time, cost, and quality standards throughout all phases of the project lifecycle. You will monitor and report on programme performance and project progress in line with established reporting systems and guidelines, while developing and maintaining effective support processes that enable the Project Manager to manage and control change. Responsibilities include processing contractor possession and isolation applications to ensure submissions are complete and made within required timescales, monitoring contractor performance indicators, and producing regular progress reports. You will support the Project Management team in maintaining a safe working environment, manage generic and site-specific methods of working, provide risk assessments within agreed deadlines, and monitor contractor compliance with HSQE requirements to ensure appropriate risk assessments have been completed and implemented. The role also requires compliance with the Investment Competence Framework and the maintenance of high standards of project governance and safety throughout project delivery.

What you'll have:

• Educated to HND/HNC or similar standard.
• HSQE awareness, issues and principles.

We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be:

• Membership (or working towards membership of) the Association for Project Management.
• A degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, environmental, commercial and financial aspects.

You can visitEvenbreak's Career Hivefor advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, pleaseadd a note to your application.

What does our recruitment process look like?

• Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV.
• If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an interview.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

Closing Date:

13-SEP-2026

Job Category:

Business, Commercial and Project Management