Section Manager [Communications] - Three Bridges Telecoms Depot

Network Rail; Three Bridges; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Rail travel discount

Volunteer leave

Carer's leave

Healthcare scheme

GymPass discounts

Job summary

Network Rail in Three Bridges is seeking a Section Manager - Communications to lead the Infrastructure Maintenance delivery team, directing contractors and ensuring safety, reliability and asset compliance.

You will manage inspections, faulting, maintenance, renewals and deliver a compliant work programme while developing staff, embedding safe behaviours, and responding to out-of-hours issues.

Qualifications

• Experience managing and directing a team in a technical or safety-critical environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to coach and develop others.
• Ability to deliver a compliant and effective work programme with safety at the core.
• Knowledge of Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations and related compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Infrastructure Maintenance delivery teams and contractors to meet objectives.
• Develop staff, improve engagement, and ensure welfare and staff competence.
• Promote safe working behaviours and ensure adherence to policies.
• Manage inspections, faulting, maintenance and renewal to required standards.
• Plan resources, budgets and costs to achieve safety and quality goals.
• Ensure timely, accurate updates to systems and records and respond to out-of-hours issues.

Skills

Team leadership

Communications systems knowledge

Budget management

Education

NVQ Level 3/4 (or equivalent)

Tools

Safety-critical operations

Job description

Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.

Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.

Section Manager - Communications: Lead, Direct & Deliver Excellence

Location: Three Bridges Telecoms Depot

Salary: £60715 (IMC51)

Hours: Full-Time

Shifts: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)

About The Role

As a Section Manager - Communications, you'll lead a crucial part of the Infrastructure Maintenance function, ensuring communications assets remain safe, reliable, and compliant.

You'll direct delivery teams and contractors, oversee inspections, faulting, maintenance and renewals, and ensure all work meets safety, performance, cost and quality expectations.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring strong communication, operational expertise, and flexibility in responding to out-of-hours issues.

What You'll Do

Lead & Support People

• Manage and direct the Infrastructure Maintenance delivery team and contractors to meet business and functional objectives.
• Develop individuals, strengthen team engagement, and ensure staff competence and welfare.
• Promote and embed safe working behaviours, following all company policies and procedures.
• Carry out staff surveillance, performance monitoring, and ensure work quality standards are met.

Drive Operational Delivery

• Manage and direct inspections, faulting, maintenance and renewal of assets to required standards.
• Work within agreed resource levels, budgets and cost targets to achieve performance, safety and quality goals.
• Produce and deliver a fully compliant and effective work programme.
• Prepare and manage work specifications, method statements and resource plans.
• Implement improvements in safety, reliability, productivity and efficiency.
• Verify the quality of work delivered and ensure asset compliance.
• Identify, assess and recommend asset renewals.
• Maintain accurate updates to systems, databases and operational records.
• Respond quickly to operational issues, including out-of-hours emergencies.
• Support your professional development and contribute to the development of others.
• Fulfil duties under the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.

Your Experience And Skills

What You'll Need

• Experience managing and directing a team in a technical or safety-critical environment.

Strong Leadership Skills With Experience Developing And Engaging Teams

• Experience delivering a compliant and effective work programme
• Ability to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours
• Ability to lead change and deliver continuous improvement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to coach, influence and develop others
• Knowledge of communications systems or conductor rail maintenance processes, systems and standards
• Understanding of budget management, cost control and waste reduction
• Knowledge of Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations
• Ability to hold and retain required competencies
• NVQ Level 3/4 (or equivalent), or equivalent experience
• Willingness and ability to drive for business needs

Important Information

This is a safety-critical role, which means you'll need to pass a medical assessment and be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Your role will involve working days, nights, and weekends, so flexibility is essential.

Perks That Pack a Punch

We Offer Excellent Benefits, Including

• Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
• Up to 75% off leisure travel.
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
• Carer's leave to support those who matter.
• Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees.

Plus, more...

We're All About Inclusion

We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from - if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.

Safety and Compliance

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard

All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.