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Lead Portfolio Manager (6-month secondment/FTC opportunity covering maternity)

Job Description

About the Opportunity

Location: Bristol, GB

Department Name: OW W&W Portfolio Management (456700) G5

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.

Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

Benefits

  • Privileged staff travel
  • Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members
  • Subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
  • GWR ticket alliance – Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family
  • Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare, and online shopping site
  • A range of Pension schemes to choose from
  • Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, which will be 60% office based, and enhanced family friendly support
  • 5 days paid volunteering leave
  • 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

About Company

In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognize colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviors.

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here.

Responsibilities

  • Control and lead the development of robust Development/Approval in Principle for assigned projects
  • Identify and secure optimum options for clients and funders
  • Develop access strategies for assigned projects
  • Develop funding strategies for assigned projects
  • Develop the specification and early stage embedment of appropriate KPI/KRA into the pre-contract documentation for assigned projects
  • Develop and implement contracting and procurement strategies for assigned projects
  • Conduct evaluation of supplier proposals
  • Contribute to establishing the strategy for the contracting and financial authorization processes of assigned projects
  • Develop the facilitation and management of a progressive program of Level 1 assurance reviews within assigned projects
  • Implement the measurement and monitoring of discharged and delegated responsibilities for assigned projects

About You

You Will Ideally Have (Essential)

  • Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Membership (or working towards membership) of the Association for Project Management
  • Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent
  • Demonstrable project safety management practice and knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and best practice
  • Knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations

What Could Set You Apart (Desirable)

  • Detailed Knowledge of Investment, Commercial and Procurement regulations and practices
  • Demonstrable experience of the application of PACE
  • Knowledge of structuring safety cases in support of projects

Eligibility

How To Apply (External)

Salary: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum

Closing date: 13th March 2026

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click ‘apply now’ to apply.

Please note this is a 6-month fixed term contract opportunity covering maternity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We’re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognize that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we’re working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your support with CV writing or interview preparation before submitting please contact Wales&WesternCulturalFusion@networkrail.co.uk or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion.

For all other updates, including on applications, interview arrangements, outcomes, or role-specific queries, please contact the Recruitment Team or Hiring Manager listed on the job advert.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak’s 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.

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

Some of our jobs require that candidates who receive a conditional offer undergo and pass a face-to-face drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behavior is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.