Lead Portfolio Manager

About the Opportunity

Location: York, GB

Department Name

GC Industry Partnership Digital Railway (382300) G4

About Network Rail

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. Click here to learn more.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. 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.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

About GBRX

At GBRX, we are at the forefront of transforming the railway industry, driving innovation, and delivering complex projects that push the boundaries of transportation. We are seeking a Lead Portfolio Manager to manage initiatives within the Digital Signalling Portfolio.

At GBRX, we foster a values-driven culture rooted in curiosity, pioneering spirit, and tenacity. By applying a first principles approach, we tackle the most complex challenges in railway modernisation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and driving transformative change. Our mission is to reshape the future of the railway and improve customer experiences within the railway industry.

You’ll work on ground breaking projects that make a real-world impact. This hybrid role offers a balance of regular in-office collaboration with remote work, encouraging flexibility while enabling you to work closely with our diverse team of experts.

Industry Partnership for Digital Railway (IPDR)

IPDR is a national and cross-industry enterprise within GBRX with the mission of creating the next generation railway, through the deployment of European Train Control System (ETCS) digital train control technology. This represents a migration to a safer, higher-performing, more resilient, more efficient, better skilled, more productive, and greener railway, delivering passenger benefits in the areas of safety, punctuality and resilience, and taxpayer benefits through reduction in capital and whole life costs.

Within IPDR we operate the Digital Signalling Portfolio to oversee the wider rollout of ETCS across Great Britain, working with Regions and schemes to deploy ETCS. Through the portfolio we co-ordinate and deliver fleet fitment activities, work to develop robust, repeatable approaches to technical delivery and business change, increase supply chain capability and capacity, and deliver initiatives to build the industry’s capability to efficiently plan, design, deliver, operate and maintain an ETCS railway.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and approval processes for assigned projects, focusing on specific, measurable outcomes to facilitate seamless procurement and efficient contract awards.
• Collaborate with clients and funders to identify optimal solutions, aligning projects with strategic goals and business cases.
• Develop access strategies that minimise the impact on passengers and freight, working closely with regional teams to ensure balanced project delivery.
• Design funding strategies that secure incremental financing and reflect project SPEED and PACE principles.
• Integrate clear and measurable KPIs and KRAs into pre-contract documentation to guide effective project monitoring and control throughout the contract.
• Oversee contracting and procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with legal, corporate, and governance standards, while fostering collaboration with the supply chain.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and ensure timely contract awards, aligning with the broader programme objectives.
• Lead Level 1 assurance reviews and support Level 2 assurance activities across the portfolio, ensuring compliance with CDM 2015 regulations.
• Implement and monitor an assurance framework to ensure supply chain compliance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

Essential Qualifications And Experience

• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Strong experience in procurement, assurance processes, and project governance.
• Proven ability to lead and foster collaboration across teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues proactively and think strategically about costs, business priorities, and customer impacts.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of investment, commercial, and procurement regulations.
• Experience working within the PACE framework.
• Familiarity with Network Rail’s asset management practices.
• Membership (or working towards membership) of the Association for Project Management or equivalent.

Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent Ready to drive the future of railway systems? Bring your expertise to GBRX and make a lasting impact. Apply today to join our team and shape the future of rail travel!

How To Apply (External)

Salary: £55,596-£65,966

Closing date: 28/09/25. - Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

This role can be based in either London Kings Cross or York George Stephenson House and will require working in the office 3 days per week.

What does our recruitment process look like?

Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist and Hiring Manager will look at your CV. If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an interview.

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 add a note to your application.

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.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.