Workforce Solutions Manager

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flexible working

Generous annual leave

Rail discounts

Defined benefit pension

Train ticket subsidy

Travel loan

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail in Milton Keynes is recruiting for a commercially minded workforce professional to lead contingent workforce strategy within a major, complex organisation. You will work with senior stakeholders across routes, regions and functions to shape compliant, cost-effective talent solutions and improve governance of contractor arrangements.

The role requires hands-on experience in recruiting and managing contingent labour, strong project management and influential communication.

Qualifications

• Commercially minded workforce professional with strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience delivering workforce, HR or business improvement initiatives in a large, complex organisation.
• Hands-on experience recruiting and managing contingent labour with knowledge of contingent workforce models.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making; ability to influence via collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement workforce solutions addressing complex business challenges.
• Advise hiring managers and senior stakeholders on contingent workforce strategy.
• Oversee contractor recruitment, supplier-led solutions and emerging talent models.
• Ensure governance, value for money and regulatory compliance with HR, Procurement and Finance.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision making

Influencing

Analytical skills

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

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. 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. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Some of our great benefits:

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
• Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
• Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% subsidy on train tickets.
• Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering innovative workforce solutions across one of the UK's largest and most complex organisations. Working with senior stakeholders across routes, regions and functions, you will help shape how Network Rail accesses critical talent, ensuring solutions are compliant, cost-effective and aligned to business needs. The role sits within the contingent workforce centre of excellence and supports workforce solutions across Network Rail and, at times, the wider rail industry.

You will be designing and implementing workforce solutions to address complex business challenges, acting as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and senior stakeholders on contingent workforce strategy, and using data, technology and market intelligence to identify trends, measure performance and drive better workforce outcomes. The role is responsible for managing and improving contingent workforce service lines, including contractor recruitment, supplier-led workforce solutions and emerging talent models, while working closely with HR, Procurement, Finance, business leaders and external suppliers to ensure strong governance, value for money and compliance with relevant legislation, policies and regulatory requirements.

What does the average day look like?

A little bit about the team...

You will join Network Rail's Contingent Workforce Strategy Team, a specialist team responsible for developing and delivering workforce solutions that support the organisation's evolving talent needs.

Working closely with colleagues across HR, Procurement, Finance and operational business areas, the team helps ensure Network Rail can access the skills and expertise needed to deliver its strategic objectives. The team combines commercial awareness, workforce expertise and innovation to create solutions that are compliant, scalable and focused on delivering value.

This is a collaborative environment where stakeholder relationships, continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making are central to success.

CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 5 th October, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.

We encourage you to review our Safety Vision , as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail

Your experience and skills

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a commercially minded workforce professional with strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills. You will have experience delivering workforce, HR or business improvement initiatives within a large and complex organisation and be comfortable working across multiple priorities and stakeholder groups.

When applying, please demonstrate the outcomes you have personally delivered, the challenges you addressed and the measurable impact achieved. We are particularly interested in examples of contingent workforce solutions, process improvements, cost savings, compliance improvements, supplier management initiatives or business change programmes where your contribution led to tangible results. Importantly, you will bring recent hands‑on experience recruiting and managing contingent labour, contractors, interim professionals and agency workers, with a strong understanding of contingent workforce models, supplier-led solutions and the legislation that governs their engagement. Experience navigating areas such as IR35, Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), employment status considerations and supplier governance will be highly valued. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience using data to drive decision-making and a proven ability to deliver results through influence rather than direct control. You will be confident working with senior leaders, suppliers and cross-functional teams while providing constructive challenge and expert advice.

• Experience of managing cross functional teams in a client-focused environment with evidence of enabling their team to meet challenging deadlines
• Advanced influencing, negotiation and relationship building/partnering skills (with both internal customers and external suppliers)
• Proven commercial and business management skills with ability to analyse data to drive continues improvement and efficiency across the organisation
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and challenge in a constructive way to achieve the desirable outcomes.
• Experience of measuring and demonstrating return on investment
• Significant delivery through virtual teams, using a project management approach.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, including ability to present technical data to non-technical audiences to influence others.
• Experience in third party supplier management/negotiation
• Experience in delivering contingent workforce solutions in a highly regulated environment in the last three to five years.
• Experience in developing and influencing HR strategy
• Knowledge of project and programme management methodology (including delivering projects using Agile methodology)

Key Information

• Number of Positions: 1
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Hours: Full Time
• Location: The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes
• Closing Date: 30-SEP-2026
• Job Category: HR and Legal
• Function: Human Resources
• Organisation: HR Resourcing and Industry Transition (348440) G5