Project Manager [Absence Management]

Who We Are
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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
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We are seeking an experienced and credible people manager to lead the delivery of a complex absence management programme across the Liverpool area within the North West Route, taking direct ownership of long\-term sickness, medical capability and attendance\-related cases through to resolution.

This is a hands\-on delivery role rather than a traditional project management position. The successful candidate will personally manage a portfolio of complex long\-term sickness cases and chair formal meetings to engage directly with employees and stakeholders, and take ownership for progressing cases through to resolution. This is not a role focused solely on reporting, governance or coordination activities.

We are looking for someone who has personally managed complex long\-term sickness cases, navigating prolonged and sensitive attendance matters while achieving fair, timely and sustainable outcomes. You will be responsible for ensuring cases progress consistently, efficiently and in line with company policy and employment legislation.

Working closely with HR, Occupational Health, Trade Union representatives, line managers and senior leaders across the Liverpool area, you will provide leadership and accountability for a portfolio of cases, ensuring appropriate support, adjustments and redeployment opportunities are explored while driving case progression and improving attendance outcomes.

This role is for a 12 month secondment opportunity.

How to apply

We are a Disability Confident Leader and want to make the most of the skills and talents disabled people bring to the workplace. .

Salary: Band 3C, starting at £55,596 and increasing to £67,813\.

Want to find out about what fantastic benefits we offer? Find out here .

Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework , any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised.

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

Closing date: 6 th October 2026\. Late applications may not be accepted.

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 role.

Your experience and skills
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• Take ownership of a portfolio of complex long\-term sickness, attendance, wellbeing and medical capability cases, managing them through to closure.


• Act as the designated manager for assigned cases, leading all aspects of case management rather than providing advisory support.


• Develop and deliver clear case plans, ensuring actions, milestones, risks and timescales are actively managed and barriers to progression are addressed.


• Chair formal attendance and case review meetings, considering all relevant information and determining appropriate next steps to support timely and sustainable case resolution.


• Work in partnership with HR colleagues, applying employment law, policy and best practice while retaining accountability for case outcomes.


• Build effective relationships with employees, line managers, Trade Union representatives, Occupational Health providers and senior stakeholders to support case resolution.


• Explore and coordinate workplace adjustments, rehabilitation plans and redeployment opportunities, ensuring all reasonable options are considered before progression to formal medical capability outcomes where appropriate.


• Ensure Occupational Health advice and medical recommendations are appropriately considered, implemented and monitored.


• Monitor, track and report on case progression, identifying trends, risks, delays and opportunities for improvement.


• Present updates, recommendations and performance information to senior leaders through established governance forums.


• Maintain accurate, confidential and auditable records throughout the life of each case.


• Share lessons learned and best practice to support improvements in attendance management and employee wellbeing across the organisation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate substantial experience of personally leading complex long\-term sickness, attendance and medical capability cases through to conclusion. They will have a track record of chairing formal meetings, working with Occupational Health and Trade Union representatives, navigating complex attendance issues, and delivering sustainable outcomes in a fair, consistent and compliant manner.

This role would suit someone with a strong employee relations, attendance management or HR background who enjoys owning cases from start to finish and driving meaningful improvements in attendance and wellbeing outcomes across the Liverpool area.

Key Information

Vacancy Details
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Number of Positions:1
Hours:Full Time
Salary:£55,596 \- £67,813
Location:Manchester Square One, Manchester
Geographical Area:North West England
Closing Date:06\-OCT\-2026
Job Category:HR and Legal

Location Map
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