Programme Development Manager

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Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is the Government's flagship programme to improve connectivity between the North's major cities, at the heart of the Northern Growth Strategy. Its focus is the Northern Growth Corridor - between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and York, with regular services to Newcastle, Hull and Chester for North Wales also impacted. NPR aims to ensure passengers in the North will benefit from convenient, consistent services boosting the ability and confidence of commuters to use the railways, helping drive Northern growth.

The Government has committed a £45 billion funding envelope for the delivery of NPR as a long-term programme. In January 2026, the government announced support for NPR and a three-phase approach to delivery:

Phase 1 focuses on Leeds to Sheffield, Leeds to Bradford (including a new station at Bradford) and Leeds to York.

Phase 2 focuses on service improvements between Liverpool and Manchester.

Phase 3 considers cross-pennine links, building on the government's investment in the Transpennine Route Upgrade and recent investments on the Hope Valley.

The three phases of delivery will see major construction work in the 2030s, continuing through to the 2040s.

NPR is a high-profile portfolio with high stakeholder interest from senior National and Regional leadership teams, along with a range of external stakeholders including Mayoral Statutory Authorities (MSA) and Train Operating Companies (TOCs).

This is an excellent opportunity to work both in a supportive team and across the business. The scope is broad as you'll collaborate and contribute towards the developing the future of the railway network in the North. It's an exciting time to join the team to help us meet the development milestones and support the outputs agreed with the Department for Transport (DfT).

Job Purpose: As a Programme Development Manager (PDM) the Capacity Analysis team you will act as a project sponsor and guiding mind for the current development stage. You will work closely with the Senior Programme Development Manager to shape and direct the current development stage whilst developing links in a sponsorship role between the client, Region, delivery agent and key stakeholders.

This is a sponsorship role supporting the development of NPR, including developing the project benefits and target project outcomes to agreed scope, time and cost.

We are looking for someone with a good knowledge of the rail Network, internal and external stakeholders, and a varied and adaptable skillset including:

A strategic mindset with an ability to think of the railway as a connected system, whilst also being able to focus on detail of engineering development and programme requirements.

Strong experience and knowledge of project development and understanding of the project lifecycle.

Knowledge of the Network Rail governance processes.

Collaboratively working with teams and stakeholders, including experience of managing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Experience of challenging evidence and opinions, articulating complex problems in a simple manner, and leading project teams in a matrix organisation.

Excellent time management and working to challenging deadlines

Pragmatic and creative problem solving, balancing both project detail and programme objectives

Excellent communication skills to a range of audiences at all levels, both written and verbal

This is a great opportunity to work both in a supportive team and across the business. The scope is broad as you'll collaborate and contribute towards the NPR portfolio that will develop the future of the railway network in the North.

This role relates to the Capacity Analysis team and Manchester is the preferred location but we would consider York. You will be part of an exciting new team, seeking to create complete timetables for the North of England that demonstrate the benefits of NPR. This will involve working across organisations from timetable analysts to Sponsors, engineers and the Client. Accuracy and expert advice will be key to building and maintaining relationships throughout our programme.

We currently also have 2 further PDM roles available in NPR in the following teams:

If you would like to find out any further information about a specific role please contact the names above directly before the job listing closes.

Key Accountabilities: Build effective relationships, (internally & externally) to balance the requirements of the funder, Network Rail and the industry as a whole. Champion the interests of clients, customers and stakeholders acting as the focal point for escalation within Network Rail.

Review and interrogate client remits to confirm their viability. Work with internal and external stakeholders to establish a scope which optimises funder requirements, value for money, network availability and capacity for future development and whole life cost.

Be responsible for the conversion of the remit into an agreed specification. Be accountable for the development of the initial project plan and budget; working with the project manager to specify how the project is going to be delivered, expected milestones and associated timescales, resource requirements, risks & issues and funding needs/sources.

• Produce business cases and investment papers for projects.
• Devise solutions which maintain the 'business as usual' accessibility for our customers, take consideration of the 7 day railway principles and therefore minimise disruption to end rail users.Take a national/route wide view across portfolios to generate additional benefits, identify and resolve conflicting work and drive efficiencies.
• Lead the process of quantifying risk associated with the project. Devise mitigating actions and periodically review recovery progress.
• Interrogate and challenge plans to assess the deliverability of agreed scope within stated timescales and cost parameters, presenting any required scope changes to the client for approval.

Hold the delivery partner accountable for delivery to cost, time and scope parameters. Hold periodic reviews to understand and challenge delivery progress against the output specification and agreed contract terms. Communicate progress status against defined milestones and expectations to stakeholders.

• Negotiate with customers and stakeholders on the project's commercial and contractual terms in accordance with relevant corporate policy and strategy. Act as the focal point for negotiations and resolution of external scheme interface requirements, including any Parliamentary or Statutory processes, external consents issues to optimise the value of the scheme to Network Rail and funder(s).

Comply with the requirements of investment regulations, and other corporate and project governance frameworks. Adhere to corporate processes, including those related to safety, finance, legal and corporate affairs.

Facilitate the discharge of the duties assigned by the Client as detailed within the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations for the programme of projects allocated to you.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent

Experience of dealing with client portfolios and liaising with people at all levels, including experience of managing stakeholders at all levels.

Ability to articulate complex business problems into manageable work packages and produce synthesised logical solutions

Proven ability to write coherently; conveying report / investment information in a concise manner

Commercially astute, persuasive, and customer focused

• Proven influencing and negotiating skills
• Experience of leading a successful team

Understanding of early stage development (ES2 to ES3)

Experience of rail planning, timetable and capacity analysis

Experience of working closely and collaboratively with external stakeholders, for example Local Authorities and Mayoral Strategic Authorities

Experience of leading a successful team

MBA or other related postgraduate qualification

Ability to think strategically, understanding the impact of the railway as an interconnected system

• Experience in negotiating contracts to finalisation and ability to demonstrate commercial success

Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.

External how to apply: Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships) . click apply for full job details