Regional Managing Director

Regional Managing Director

Location

, GB

Department Name

HR Resourcing and Industry Transition (348440) G5

About Network Rail

We are seeking experienced and influential leaders to join Network Rail as Regional Managing Directors for our Wales & Western and Southern regions. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, these roles will lead devolved regions at a pivotal time for the rail industry, with a focus on delivering excellence today while preparing for future reforms.

About the Role

The rail industry is undergoing significant change, with reform and integration shaping its future. At this critical time, we are seeking two Regional Managing Directors—one for our Wales & Western region and one for our Southern region. These roles will provide leadership and direction, ensuring the delivery of excellent service for passengers and freight users, while preparing each region for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

As the Regional Managing Director for either Wales & Western or Southern, you will:

• Deliver excellence for passengers and freight users: Set the standard for safety, operational reliability, and exceptional customer service in a 24/7, high-pressure environment.
• Lead a devolved region: Oversee c.8,000 employees, guide a multi-billion-pound operating and capital budget, and directly influence how rail services are delivered across your region.
• Collaborate at the highest levels: Partner with key stakeholders across government, industry, and communities to ensure rail is integral to the UK's sustainable future.
• Shape the future of rail: Help redefine the industry by leading reforms and preparing the region to thrive amidst evolving demands and expectations.

Brief Description

Key Accountabilities

As a Regional Managing Director, you will:

• Deliver Operational Excellence: Lead the executive team to maintain a safe, sustainable, and high-performing rail network that meets the needs of passengers and freight users alike.
• Drive Strategy: As part of the Executive Leadership Team, provide vision and direction to deliver our Putting Passengers First strategy, meet Control Period commitments, and exceed Balanced Scorecard objectives.
• Foster a Safety-First Culture: Embody world-class safety leadership to enhance standards and safeguard employees, customers, and communities.
• Build Stakeholder Trust: Cultivate long-term partnerships with government, media, customers, and communities, positioning your region as a leader in innovation and collaboration.
• Lead Transformation: Champion a dual focus on delivering day-to-day excellence while shaping the region for future reforms, ensuring agility and readiness to adapt.

Why Join Us Now?

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of one of the UK's most important infrastructure networks. At Network Rail, we are investing billions to modernise and adapt, setting the stage for significant industry-wide reform. As Regional Managing Director, you will be at the forefront of this transformation, shaping strategies that ensure rail remains a cornerstone of sustainable transport for decades to come.

About the role (External)

Essential Criteria

• Proven success in leading large, safety-critical, regulated, profit-and-loss (P&L) organisations.
• Extensive experience driving cultural and operational transformation within complex, matrixed organisations.
• A passion for exceptional customer service with a track record of delivering results in dynamic, 24/7 environments.
• Strong operational, maintenance, and asset management expertise.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, including experience engaging with government, customers, and alliance partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage significant budgets and lead large teams with agility and purpose.
• Experience driving innovation and transformation within a unionised environment.

Rail experience is desirable but not essential—candidates with leadership credentials from other safety-critical, high-performing industries are encouraged to apply.

How to apply (External)

How to Apply

Closing date: 4/12/2024 - Late applications will not be accepted.

To learn more about Network Rail, our benefits, and our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, click here.

Please be aware this role holds a mandatory requirement for the incumbent to hold valid security vetting clearance. Any offer will be conditional on the successful candidate obtaining clearance prior to a start date being agreed.

If you have lived outside of the UK in the last 3 years and have been invited to interview for this role, please notify us on [email protected].

For further information including residency eligibility, please contact your recruiter for more details.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive  for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please email us on [email protected].

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

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information