Project Management Assistant

Network Rail; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Pension schemes

Subsidised rail travel

Job summary

Network Rail is recruiting for a Project Management Assistant in the Signalling & Telecoms Renewals team based in York. You will support the Lead Portfolio Manager in delivering S&T asset renewal projects across the North East and East Coast Routes, contributing to safe, efficient railway improvements.

The role requires holding or working toward professional qualifications (APM), a degree or equivalent, and familiarity with GRIP/CSM-RA principles.

Qualifications

• Educated to HND/HNC or similar standard.
• Membership (or working towards membership of) the Association for Project Management.
• A degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, environmental, commercial and financial aspects.
• Understanding of possession planning.
• Personal Track Safety qualification desirable (or a willingness to work towards and maintain)
• Experience working on Signalling/Telecoms and Electrification and Plant projects.
• Awareness of Common Safety Method (CSM-RA) and applicability in the railway
• Awareness of the Network Rail Asset Management Process and applicability in infrastructure projects.
• Experience working in a project management function.
• Awareness of Construction Design Management: 2015 regulations.
• Demonstrable experience preparing and updating project documentation (Pre-Construction Information, DWWP T-checklists, Project Minutes and Actions).

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a project team, assisting to deliver projects to time, cost and quality through various phases in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
• Monitor and report programme and progress in accordance with project reporting systems and guidelines.
• Develop and integrate, effective support systems to enable the Lead Portfolio Manager to manage and control change.
• Support the Lead Portfolio Manager with preparing key project documentation, keep detailed records and follow up with action owners.
• Monitor contractor performance indicators and provide periodic progress reports.
• Support the Project Management team in always providing a safe working environment during the execution of projects under their responsibility.
• Manage generic and site-specific methods of working and supply risk assessments to agreed timescales.
• Monitor HSQE trends and monitor compliance to relevant KPIs and targets.
• Comply with the Investment Competence Framework.
• Educated to HND/HNC or similar standard.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

HND/HNC or equivalent

Degree or equivalent

Tools

GRIP framework

DWWP T-checklists

Job description

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.

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

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .

Eastern Routes Capital Programmes sits at the heart of Network Rail's ambition to deliver a simpler, better, greener railway. We are responsible for developing, planning and delivering major investment across the Eastern Region, one of the UK's busiest and most complex rail networks, covering key routes from London across the East and into the most northern areas of England.

We turn strategic investment into tangible outcomes. Modernising infrastructure, improving reliability, and supporting passenger growth and freight capability. Our work directly impacts millions of journeys every year and plays a critical role in supporting economic growth across the region.

We manage and deliver a multi-billion-pound portfolio of investment, spanning renewals and enhancements across track, structures, signalling, electrification and major station programmes. Our teams work closely with route businesses, integrated railways, suppliers, and government to ensure that investment delivers safely, efficiently, and with long-term value for the railway.

Our people are based across the Eastern Region footprint, with offices in London, Derby and York, as well as key delivery locations across the entire patch. We operate in a client model, providing clear governance, financial and delivery oversight while working in partnership with our supply chain.

What makes us unique is the scale, complexity and visibility of the work. You'll be part of a team that:

• Delivers some of the most high-profile and technically challenging projects in the UK rail industry
• Influences how billions of pounds of public investment are spent
• Works at the interface between strategy, policy, and delivery
• Plays a critical role in improving safety, reliability and customer experience across the network

Above all, this is a place where you can see the real-world impact of what you do,from safer infrastructure to improving performance. As we transition into Great British Railways, we play a key part in supporting the integrated railway across the region, being a more joined up system led team for passengers and freight.

Network Rail's Capital Programmes Eastern (Renewals & Minor Enhancements) organisation are offering an opportunity for a driven, conscientious, andambitious individual to join the Signalling & Telecoms(S&T)Renewals team based in York.It is an exciting time tojoin the S&T Renewals team asweenter a busy period of delivery, with £300mallocated forthe renewal ofS&Tassets over the remaining 3 years of Control Period 7 and start the development of Control Period 8 work banks in conjunction with our wider route teams.

Job Purpose:

The successful candidate willbe accountable for supporting the Lead Portfolio Manager in thedevelopment and delivery of S&T asset renewal projects across the North East and East Coast Routes.

role will role model and embed Eastern Region's culture principles - Show We Care, Listen Learn Improve, Better Together and Keep It Simple - by:

• Creating an environment of psychological safety and accountability where people can challenge and improve working practices
• Driving collaboration across teams and partners to deliver whole-system outcomes
• Promoting continuous improvement and learning from performance output
• Ensuring clear, simple and focused governance and decision-making

In the Project Management Assistant role, you will support the project management team in the everyday 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.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work as part of a project team, assisting to deliver projects to time, cost and quality through various phases in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
• Monitor and report programme and progress in accordance with project reporting systems and guidelines.
• Develop and integrate, effective support systems to enable the Lead Portfolio Manager to manage and control change.
• Support the Lead Portfolio Manager with preparing key project documentation, keep detailed records and follow up with action owners.
• Monitor contractor performance indicators and provide periodic progress reports.
• Support the Project Management team in always providing a safe working environment during the execution of projects under their responsibility.
• Manage generic and site-specific methods of working and supply risk assessments to agreed timescales.
• Monitor HSQE trends and monitor compliance to relevant KPIs and targets.
• Comply with the Investment Competence Framework.
• Educated to HND/HNC or similar standard.

HSQE awareness, issues and principles.

• Membership (or working towards membership of) the Association for Project Management.
• A degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, environmental, commercial and financial aspects.
• Understanding of possession planning.
• Personal Track Safety qualification desirable (or a willingness to work towards and maintain)
• Experience working on Signalling/Telecoms and Electrification and Plant projects.
• Awareness of Common Safety Method (CSM-RA) and applicability in the railway
• Awareness of the Network Rail Asset Management Process and applicability in infrastructure projects.
• Experience working in a project management function.
• Awareness of Construction Design Management: 2015 regulations.
• Demonstrable experience preparing and updating project documentation (i.e. Pre-Construction Information, DWWP T- checklists, Project Minutes and Actions).

Comfortable synthesising complex information to extract key data and monitor trends.

Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.

Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.

We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at [e-mail]. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.

We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.

Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do,safe behaviouris therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness of our safety vision .

Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3,333 (to a maximum amount of £2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave

*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*

*Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.*

Prospective dates for interviews will Wednesday 28 th October 2026and Thursday 29 th October 2026.

Closing date: 9 th October 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.

What's in it for you

Here are a few of the benefits we offer

• 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
• Choice of pension schemes
• 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family
• 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
• Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
• Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK
• My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount

Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.

• Embodies flexibility and has a willingness to work dynamically
• Has a positive attitude
• Is a problem solver
• Can communicate clearly and tailor communication to their target audience
• Has exceptional organisation skills and a keen eye for detail
• Is a team player, and supports others where required

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Geographical Area:

Eastern England

Closing Date:

09-OCT-2026

Job Category:

Business, Commercial and Project Management

Function:

Eastern Region

Organisation:

CD Signalling & Telecoms and Electrification & Plant (454301) G2