Head of Corporate Safety

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.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments. 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. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
• Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
• Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% subsidy on train tickets.
• Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

About the role

What does the average day look like?

As the senior leader for occupational workforce and passenger health and safety, you'll spend your days shaping the strategic direction of health and safety risk management across Network Rail and the wider rail industry. Working closely with the Board, executive leaders and industry partners, you'll provide expert guidance on safety risks, influence major business decisions, and lead the development of policies, standards and risk control frameworks that protect our workforce, passengers and the public.

You'll collaborate with regulators, government bodies and train operators to drive industry-wide safety improvements, while leading specialist teams responsible for governance, standards and assurance. From chairing strategic safety forums and overseeing critical certification processes to driving improvements in competence, capability and risk management, you'll play a pivotal role in creating a safer railway and ensuring millions of journeys are delivered safely every year.

A little bit about the team...

You'll join a team of experienced health and safety professionals who set the strategic direction for workforce health and safety across Network Rail. Working closely with senior leaders, regulators and industry partners, the team develops the policies, standards and governance that help keep Britain's railway safe for everyone.

Next Steps

CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 7 th September subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.

We encourage you to review our Safety Vision , as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail.

We're looking for an exceptional safety leader who is passionate about making a real difference across one of Britain's most important industries. You'll be a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) or above, with a strong track record of developing and delivering ambitious safety strategies that have improved workforce, passenger and public safety within large, complex organisations.

You’ll bring experience of leading a respected, high-performing safety function and championing high-profile improvement programmes that have delivered measurable results in safety-critical environments. A natural collaborator, you'll be confident influencing and negotiating at the most senior levels, building trusted relationships across Network Rail, train and freight operators, regulators and industry partners. Most importantly, you'll be resilient, forward-thinking and motivated by the opportunity to shape the future of rail safety, creating lasting positive impact for colleagues, passengers and the wider public.

• Must be a member of the Institute of Occupational Health and safety (IOSH) at Chartered (CMIOSH) level or above
• Experience of developing and implementing ambitious strategies relating to improvement of both workforce and passenger and public safety across a national/international organisation
• Experience of leading a high performing, industry respected, safety function for passenger and public, and workforce safety
• Experience of successful development and sponsorship of high profile, high value front-line safety improvement programmes for passenger and public, and workforce safety that have delivered tangible improvements in a complex safety critical industry
• Experience of negotiating at senior level and balancing the views of a range of stakeholders
• Highly collaborative, and adept at developing lasting and productive relationships with diverse senior leaders including TOCS, FOCS, RDG etc.
• Resilient with the ability to handle multiple technical issues at the same time

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes

Geographical Area:

South East England (Not inside M25)

Closing Date:

27-AUG-2026

Job Category:

Exec/Board Member roles

Function:

Technical Authority

Asset:

Health & Safety

Organisation:

ST Corporate Passenger & Public Safety (570119) G3

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