Who Are Network Rail

Join Network Rail ! Where People and Connections Matter

Network Rail are dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join them, you’re not just part of a team- you’re part of something that matters to millions. They believe that their people are at the heart of what they do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

Network Rail are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities they serve. To discover more about their ED&I commitments click here. They value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, they do everything they can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

About the role

Rail freight moves the economy. Network Rail are looking for a Freight Director to lead the strategy, growth and performance of freight across the network and improve services to freight customers.

You’ll set the direction for freight, build powerful relationships across operators, customers, government and the wider industry, and turn ambition into delivery. This is a rare opportunity to shape one of the most important agendas in UK transport.

This is a high-profile role, responsible for developing and delivering the strategic direction for rail freight and national operators. You’ll lead the development of the Rail freight and National Operators business plan, ensuring the network continues to meet customer needs while supporting sustainable industry growth.

They are looking for someone who can think strategically while remaining closely connected to operational delivery. You’ll understand how complex transport or logistics businesses operate, balancing commercial priorities with operational performance, safety, resilience and customer outcomes.

You’ll build trusted relationships with senior leaders across industry, influencing at the highest levels to align competing priorities and deliver shared ambitions. You will have the ability to bring organisations together, navigate complexity and inspire confidence amongst the industry.

Network Rail are committed to a workforce as diverse as the communities they serve. They especially welcome applications from under-represented groups and will make any adjustments you need to be at your best.

Your experience and skills

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Direct the development and implementation of the national freight strategy including the negotiation of relevant track access and other contract agreements, identifying risks and opportunities to maximise Network Rail’s ability to perform against those contracts and its wider obligations.
2. Establish and implement a delivery plan to create the whole system environment to deliver the government mandated railfreight growth target; including representation of Network Rail in the development of European freight traffic, maintaining an overview of strategic freight capacity and capability, and working collaboratively with customers to build efficient businesses, through development of the network and railfreight products offered to the market.
3. Lead the commercial relationships with customers and suppliers and work collaboratively with routes and regions, in the interests of the Freight Operating Companies, Charter Operators, Aspirant Open Access Operators, Caledonian Sleeper and CrossCountry to build and maintain relationships, resolving key issues and championing the customer cause.
4. Lead the implementation, maintenance and assurance of performance processes across the rail industry for freight operating companies and be the Network Rail champion for freight customers managing the national relationship to deliver outstanding service provision.
5. Direct the development of the freight estate to grow the market, increase the financial contribution to the company’s rail operators and improve services to freight customers, developing and implementing freight and charter passenger customer policies and commercial activity to consistently increase the value of the customers business to Network Rail.
6. Engage with potential investors to support expanding the industry asset for the sector, founded on the growth ambitions of both government and railfreight end users, generating an investment plan for governments, devolved authorities and private sector partners.
7. Develop and own the Railfreight and National Operators strategic business plan, including regular reviews, target setting and reporting to the Executive Leadership team, and communication of the associated framework and business planning processes, in order to inform short, medium, and long-term plans.
8. Lead and direct the team in promoting safety, enhancing safety culture and driving safety improvements for Freight, Charters, Caledonian sleeper, CrossCountry and Aspirant open access in order to deliver tangible improvements of network safety.
9. Lead and direct discussions and consultation with key internal and external stakeholders, including Department for Transport (DfT), Transport for Scotland and Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to provide excellence in freight and national passenger operators customer service including establishing and maintaining relationships with key customer groups, setting appropriate policies, standards and reporting regimes.
10. Lead the joint review and analysis of the overall industry performance for the Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) and National Passenger Operators, and challenge Network Rail and operator performance to deliver reliable services.

Essential Criteria: 

• Proven safety leadership skills showing credibility in driving outstanding safety performance.
• Proven ability to empower and inspire a large diverse team.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the freight railway business.
• Successful experience of negotiating and managing a complex profit centre.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategy.
• Deep experience of the rail industry, including considerable operational, maintenance and asset   management delivery experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with people at all levels across the business and industry stakeholders.
• Proven track record of customer relationship management, managing contractual relationships and deep understanding of customer delivery ethos.
• Proven ability to deliver and maintain a strongly compliance-driven organisation yet also inspire an effective innovation culture.
• Experience of successfully managing business unit financials.

Your experience and skills

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Direct the development and implementation of the national freight strategy including the negotiation of relevant track access and other contract agreements, identifying risks and opportunities to maximise Network Rail’s ability to perform against those contracts and its wider obligations.
2. Establish and implement a delivery plan to create the whole system environment to deliver the government mandated railfreight growth target; including representation of Network Rail in the development of European freight traffic, maintaining an overview of strategic freight capacity and capability, and working collaboratively with customers to build efficient businesses, through development of the network and railfreight products offered to the market.
3. Lead the commercial relationships with customers and suppliers and work collaboratively with routes and regions, in the interests of the Freight Operating Companies, Charter Operators, Aspirant Open Access Operators, Caledonian Sleeper and Cross Country to build and maintain relationships, resolving key issues and championing the customer cause.
4. Lead the implementation, maintenance and assurance of performance processes across the rail industry for freight operating companies and be the Network Rail champion for freight customers managing the national relationship to deliver outstanding service provision.
5. Direct the development of the freight estate to grow the market, increase the financial contribution to the company’s rail operators and improve services to freight customers, developing and implementing freight and charter passenger customer policies and commercial activity to consistently increase the value of the customers business to Network Rail.
6. Engage with potential investors to support expanding the industry asset for the sector, founded on the growth ambitions of both government and railfreight end users, generating an investment plan for governments, devolved authorities and private sector partners.
7. Develop and own the Railfreight and National Operators strategic business plan, including regular reviews, target setting and reporting to the Executive Leadership team, and communication of the associated framework and business planning processes, in order to inform short, medium, and long-term plans.
8. Lead and direct the team in promoting safety, enhancing safety culture and driving safety improvements for Freight, Charters, Caledonian sleeper, CrossCountry and Aspirant open access in order to deliver tangible improvements of network safety.
9. Lead and direct discussions and consultation with key internal and external stakeholders, including Department for Transport (DfT), Transport for Scotland and Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to provide excellence in freight and national passenger operators customer service including establishing and maintaining relationships with key customer groups, setting appropriate policies, standards and reporting regimes.
10. Lead the joint review and analysis of the overall industry performance for the Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) and National Passenger Operators, and challenge Network Rail and operator performance to deliver reliable services.

Essential Criteria: 

• Proven safety leadership skills showing credibility in driving outstanding safety performance.
• Proven ability to empower and inspire a large diverse team.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the freight railway business.
• Successful experience of negotiating and managing a complex profit centre.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategy.
• Deep experience of the rail industry, including considerable operational, maintenance and asset   management delivery experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with people at all levels across the business and industry stakeholders.
• Proven track record of customer relationship management, managing contractual relationships and deep understanding of customer delivery ethos.
• Proven ability to deliver and maintain a strongly compliance-driven organisation yet also inspire an effective innovation culture.
• Experience of successfully managing business unit financials.

How to Apply

Band: This is an Executive Band position

Closing date: 31^st July 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.