Team Leader [Track Maintenance]

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

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident Leader

Rail season ticket subsidies

Contributory pension schemes

28 days annual leave

Two weeks paid reserve leave

Job summary

Network Rail in the North West region seeks a Team Leader to direct a high‑performing crew performing track inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal to keep trains running safely.

You will establish the relevant safety arrangements, monitor work quality, and ensure staff and contractors follow safe systems of work. This is a safety‑critical, outdoors role with on‑call elements and a requirement to commute within the area.

Qualifications

• Able to lead, motivate and direct a team.
• Knowledge of track inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques.
• Hold competencies required by business need.
• Willing to drive vehicles as required.

Responsibilities

• Direct, organise and motivate a high performing team across inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal.
• Establish safety arrangements and ensure work is compliant with standards.
• Ensure assets, vehicles, tools and equipment are safe and fit for purpose.

Skills

Team leadership

Track inspection

Faulting techniques

Maintenance & renewal

Driving vehicles

Outdoor work

Safety delivery planning

Continuous improvement

Job description

Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7 365 days a year. Our purpose is to connect people and goods with where they need to be and our vision is for a simpler, better, greener railway.

Our North West route covers Cheshire to Cumbria, including key cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and destinations such as Blackpool and the Lake District. Major stations include Crewe, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, and Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria. This busy region sees 1.3 million daily passengers and moves 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, with 571 stations making up a quarter of Britain's rail network.

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.

About the role

Play a vital role in keeping the country moving.

Maintaining the rail network is a key part of what we do every day. As a railway Team Leader, you'll work outdoors as part of a close-knit team, carrying out essential maintenance on the tracks to ensure trains run safely and reliably for both passengers and freight.

From establishing safety arrangements to checking the quality of work, you'll direct and inspire the success of a team involved in everything from inspection and faulting, through to maintenance and renewal.

Please Note: There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the Standard Maintenance Contract.

Team Leader - In this role we'll look to you to direct, organise and motivate a high performing team as well as liaise with the management teams and other department/companies. From inspection and faulting through to maintenance and renewal, you'll play a hands‑on role.

You’ll make sure everything is done efficiently and to the relevant standards and controls. You’ll have experience of establishing the relevant safety arrangements for the tasks and make sure Network Rail staff and contractors alike follow safe systems of work. Proactively controlling and checking the quality of work and the competence of your people, you’ll see to it that assets are fully compliant to the maintenance standards and all vehicles, plant, tools, equipment and materials are safe & fit for purpose.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and want to make the most of the skills and talents disabled people bring to the workplace - skills and talents we need in our business

Salary and benefits:

Salary: £45,669 plus additional benefits (overtime, weekend, on‑call, night rates)

• Pro-rata annual leave entitlement (28 days)
• My benefits - our discounted online shopping site
• A range of discounted offers including, childcare vouchers, healthcare offers - cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
• A choice of contributory pension schemes

2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community

Closing date:24th August 2026. Assessment Centre's will take place in September.

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

Where possible we will offer a diverse interview panel for this vacancy.

Your experience and skills

• Able to work as part of team / Able to lead, motivate and direct a team
• Knowledge and experience of track inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques.
• Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by business need.
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need
• Be willing to work outdoors in all weather types at any time of the day
• Experience of organising and controlling the safe and efficient delivery of work.
• Desire to always improve yourself and make things better

Commute times - You'll also need to be within a 60-minute commute of the location that you're applying for.

This role involves days, nights and weekend working, and is a safety critical role so subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment.