Team Leader [Off Track Inspection] - Tonbridge

Network Rail; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 28 days

Pension scheme

Rail ticket subsidy

Leisure travel discount

Flexible/hybrid working

Healthcare scheme

GymDiscounts

Parental leave

Job summary

Network Rail in Tonbridge is recruiting a Team Leader for Off Track Maintenance to oversee inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal of off-track assets. You will lead a safety-focused crew to ensure drainage, fencing, vegetation, and related infrastructure meet high safety standards.

The role requires active leadership, strong communication, and hands-on supervision across days, nights and weekends, with a medical and safety-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing safe systems of work.
• Strong leadership and safety-culture development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Technical expertise in conductor rail inspection, faulting, maintenance, renewal.
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in a relevant subject.
• Willingness to drive vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate your team to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality work.
• Establish and maintain robust safety arrangements for staff and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with safe systems of work, standards, and procedures.
• Monitor quality of work and asset standards.
• Verify vehicles, tools and equipment are fit for purpose.
• Compile accurate reports and maintain essential records.
• Support the development and competence of your team.

Skills

Leadership

Safety Management

Communication

Team supervision

Planning & coordinating

Conductor rail inspection

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent

Job description

IRC2367068

Who We Are

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.

Team Leader - Off Track: Lead the Way in Trackside Excellence!

Location: Tonbridge
Salary: Standard Maintenance Contract £45669
Hours: Full-Time
Shift Pattern: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)

About the role

We're looking for proactive, safety-focused leaders to join our Off Track Maintenance team. In this role, you'll lead and inspire a dedicated crew responsible for maintaining and renewing off-track assets-essential for keeping the railway safe, reliable, and efficient.

If you're passionate about leading from the front, driving safety and performance, and creating a positive team culture, this is your chance to make a real impact.

What You'll Do

As a Team Leader, you'll be the driving force behind a high-performing team responsible for inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal of off-track assets such as drainage, fencing, vegetation, and other critical infrastructure. Your role will be hands-on and dynamic, ensuring every task meets the highest standards and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and motivate your team to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality work.
• Establish and maintain robust safety arrangements for staff and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with safe systems of work, standards, and procedures.
• Monitor and check the quality of work, confirming assets meet all standards.
• Verify that vehicles, tools, and equipment are fit for purpose and properly managed.
• Compile accurate reports and maintain essential records.
• Support the development and competence of your team.

Your experience and skills

What you need

• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing safe systems of work.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and embed a culture of safety.
• Excellent communication skills-verbal and written.
• Technical expertise in conductor rail inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal techniques.
• Knowledge of relevant standards and procedures.

What Could Set You Apart

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• Willingness to drive vehicles.

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 necessary.

Why you'll love it here

• 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.
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
• Carer's leave to support those who matter.
• Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
• We offer 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.

About Your Application

As part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete your three-year employment history and upload your CV.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and 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.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

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.