Section Planner [Overhead Line Equipment]

Network Rail; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28-day annual leave

Pension schemes

Travel discount for family

Volunteer or carers leave

Rail/Underground travel discount

Gym access

Benefits platform

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Section Planner to develop and optimise work plans, coordinate railway access, and produce safe, compliant plans. The role involves managing planning meetings, maintaining accurate records, and supporting maintenance to ensure safe, on-time delivery across our railway network.

We value organised, proactive candidates with experience in planning tools, access/possession processes, and a strong safety mindset. Band 5 with salary £31,000–£35,000 DOE, UK-wide opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing efficient, practical work plans that maximise resources.
• Proficient in scheduling within work planning systems.
• Familiar with access and possession processes and related safety requirements.
• Knowledge of the Safe System of Work planning process and systems.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce and optimise work plans to keep railway maintenance on track and safe.
• Coordinate access to the railway and manage planning meetings.
• Create safe work plans and ensure records and systems are accurate and up to date.
• Collaborate across teams to align resources and priorities.

Skills

Work plan production

Scheduling in planning system

Access/possession processes

Safe System of Work

Interpersonal & communication

Job description

IRC2368532

Who We Are

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 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.

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

What You’ll Do:

As a Section Planner, you'll play a vital role in keeping the railway running safely and efficiently. Working closely with colleagues across the business, you'll develop and optimise work plans, coordinate access to the railway, produce safe work plans, manage planning meetings and ensure records and systems are kept accurate, helping maintenance activities be delivered safely, efficiently and on time.

What You’ll Bring:

We're looking for someone who enjoys bringing people, plans and resources together to get things done. You'll be an organised problem-solver with strong planning and scheduling skills, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to build effective relationships across teams. Experience of work planning systems, Safe System of Work planning, access and possession processes, and maintaining accurate records will help you succeed in a role where your work directly supports the safe and reliable operation of the railway.

What's in it For You (Benefits & Salary)

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

This vacancy is Band 5, salary starting £31,000 and raising to £35,000 per annum DOE. Interviews will be held on 9th, 10th & 11th September.

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-we'll do our best to assist you.

For further information about the role or for help with the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].

Your experience and skills

• Work Plan production and resource optimisation skills - able to develop efficient, practical plans that maximise available resources.
• A scheduling profile in a work planning/scheduling system and experience of using planning tools to manage and coordinate work activities.
• Knowledge of access and possession processes and systems, with an understanding of how work is safely planned and delivered on the railway.
• Knowledge of the Safe System of Work Planning Process and System, ensuring work can be planned and delivered safely and compliantly.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and manage competing priorities.

Knowledge of maintenance delivery processes and techniques.

Research suggests that individuals from underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a job if they don't meet all the listed criteria. We are building a diverse and inclusive place to work where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We encourage you to apply for this role. If this isn't the job for you, there may be other roles available in the wider team.

What does our recruitment process look like?

Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist & the hiring manager will look at your CV.

If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be contacted by our Resourcing Team and invited to an interview.

We'rea 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.

You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Closing date:3rd September 2026. Please get your application in as soon as possible; we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications may not be accepted.