Route Engineering Director
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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What will you be doing?
The North West Route is looking for leaders who can integrate customer, operational, commercial, and cultural priorities across the entire railway system while delivering clear, accountable outcomes in the transition to Great British Rail.
In this new role to the organisation, you will have a fantastic opportunity to lead the development and delivery of the Route Asset Management Plan, ensuring safe, efficient and customer\-focused outcomes. Acting as the client for projects across their lifecycle, you'll provide engineering and asset management leadership, oversee asset safety and performance, and drive continuous improvement. Whilst this will be challenging, it will be professionally rewarding.
The role also involves shaping and delivering works programmes, strengthening asset protection strategies, and supporting sustainable growth by enabling third\-party investment\-all while maintaining safety, environmental responsibility and commercial performance.
About the role
No two days will be the same in this dynamic leadership role. You'll take ownership of infrastructure engineering, works delivery and asset protection across the route, ensuring alignment with regional and national priorities.
You'll drive the development and delivery of the Route Asset Management Plan, leading initiatives that improve safety, performance, reliability and efficiency. Providing expert engineering leadership, you'll guide senior stakeholders and ensure assets are managed safely, sustainably and in line with regulatory requirements.
You will oversee works delivery programmes from planning through to execution, ensuring they are delivered safely, to time, cost and quality standards. You'll also play a key role in protecting the railway by managing third\-party risks, optimising asset performance, and shaping innovative, customer\-focused solutions.
Leading high\-performing teams, you'll champion continuous improvement, monitor the success of key initiatives, and ensure robust governance and assurance across all activities. You'll also work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, helping to negotiate and deliver commercially viable, sustainable programmes that support the route's long\-term strategic goals.
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 \- skills and talents we need in our business .
Salary and benefits:
Salary: Band 1C, starting at £116,753 and increasing to £146,591 plus car allowance
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus bank holidays \*contract type dependant), 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. (Discretionary)
- Interest\-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
- Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
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: 31 st May 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 .
We are strengthening how we assess senior talent to set our Region up for success. Depending on the role, selection may go beyond traditional competency interviews. We will focus on your ability to demonstrate inclusive leadership and lead effectively through change as we transition to Great British Railways. Where possible we will offer a diverse interview panel for this role.
Your experience and skills
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In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be:
- Registered Engineer at CEng level with the Engineering Council or equivalent experience
- Proven experience of successfully managing a large complex infrastructure delivery organisation, particularly related to maintenance, renewals, and enhancements
- Demonstratable strong customer focus in a multi\-disciplinary team
- Strong commercial focus and financially astute.
- Knowledge of the principles of health \& safety, quality and environment legislation and best practice
- Excellent communication skills with demonstrable delivery of leadership and behavioural change within a large, complex organisation
- Knowledge of the principles of investment processes and procedures Proven knowledge of the strategic management of safety
- Proven strong leadership skills, with the vision and ability to establish cross\-functional relationships and drive cultural / organisational change
- Proven ability to influence decision making and build cross functional relationships
- Level 7 management qualification under the Regulated Qualification Framework
- Extensive knowledge of the rail industry
- Degree qualified in a suitable Engineering discipline
Key Information
Vacancy Details
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Number of Positions:1
Contract Type:Permanent
Hours:Full Time
Salary:£116,753 \- £146,591
Location:Manchester
Geographical Area:North West England
Closing Date:31\-MAY\-2026
Job Category:Exec/Board Member roles
Function:North West \& Central Region
Organisation:OZ North West Route Engineering HQ (105001\) G2
Location Map
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This listing is from indeed. View original listing ↗