Network Rail Jobs Near Me – Assurance Manager

About the job

Location

Swindon, GB

Department Name

Wales & Western Region

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.

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!

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don’t always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us , whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

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

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone .

Brief Description

To undertake assurance within the regional (Wales and Western) Commercial and Procurement function. The Assurance Manager will act as Line of Defence 1 and 2 for the region and will ensure that Commercial practitioners are complying with processes. The Assurance Manager will assure compliance with Network Rail standards, legislation, Network Rail’s Safety and National Systems Capability.

There are 2 job opportunities available.

Key Accountabilities

About the role (External)

• Independently undertake and provide verbal and written feedback on end to end procurement lifecycle activities including category strategy, sourcing and supplier management outputs. Provide assurance over all key process outputs and deliverables, providing a viewpoint in relation to a number of key factors e.g. best practice, whole life value, innovation and regulatory compliance (in line with Utilities Contract Regulations), to deliver best value to NR and its customers.
• Plan and control the execution of an auditable procurement risk and assurance first line of defence model across the regional (Wales and Western) Commercial and Procurement function so that assurance undertaken balances the need for commercial activity to progress at speed, whilst also allowing new contractual commitments to be developed effectively (e.g. in line with financial, reputational, contractual and regulatory requirements)
• Direct and manage external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the delivery of additional assurance activities, planning work allocation and reviewing the outputs. Delivering timely and effective assurance reviews for stakeholders.
• Implement second line of defence audits on regional Commercial & Procurement teams. Review compliance with central policy and agree improvement actions where required, to develop the overall compliance and performance of the Commercial & Procurement profession within Network Rail.
• Identify and implement improvements to the Procurement assurance framework. Work in collaboration with Commercial & Procurement experts across Network Rail and additional key stakeholders to improve commercial outcomes including Risk & Opportunity management.
• Raising awareness of assurance and streamlining future procurement programmes by deliver training and awareness sessions to a wide variety of audiences on the Network Rail approach to commercial assurance.
• Facilitating greater risk awareness and management by implementing risk management activities throughout Commercial & Procurement, improving the overall commercial control within Network Rail.
• Contribute to the development of the Risk and Assurance team by providing input into training requirements, fostering teamwork and mentoring junior members of the team thus maximising the value the team can deliver for the organisation.

Essential

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Educated to a degree standard or equivalent work experience
• Experience of undertaking commercial Risk and Assurance activities
• Experience in undertaking sourcing activities within a regulated environment
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Ability to manage change and dispute resolution
• Experienced with cross-functional collaborative working methods
• Politically aware, with the ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience in a large, complex organisation
• Detailed understanding of the Utilities Contract Regulations 2016 or Public Contract Regulations 2015 and their employment on the sourcing of complex goods, works and services contracts

Desirable

• Detailed knowledge of the UK Rail Industry
• Experience within a highly regulated infrastructure or engineering environment
• In depth experience of preparing and reviewing contract documentation

How To Apply (External)

Salary: £53,202 – £59,853

Network Rail Benefits –

Closing date: 20 th October 2023.

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.

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.

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 recognise 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.

Network Rail is a 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 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.

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