Associate Director – Project & Change Management

About us

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail – the owner and operator of Britain’s mainline rail system. We have been active in the North American, Australian and the Middle East markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered more than 150 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organizations.

Through our consulting services in the United States (US), we are assisting both public agencies and private clients in the transportation sector to accelerate transformation efforts, make step-changes in major program delivery, and achieve leaps forward in areas such as asset management & maintenance, major projects, railway operations, strategic planning and advisory.

Our work is driven forward by our values: agile, always safe, care about people, collaborative, impartial and passionate.

The opportunity with NRC

Building on our continued success, we are looking for an experienced rail professional to join our team as an Associate Director – Project & Change Management in Washington DC.

You will provide subject matter expertise and support to the clients supporting the implementation of improved asset management strategies and other business process improvement initiatives to support the preparedness for organizational change management which may include technology implementation such as remote condition monitoring and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC).

Key Accountabilities

• Lead organizational change management efforts in support of improved organizational structure and asset management strategy.
• Ensure employees understand the purpose, scope, and benefits of upcoming operational and technology changes.
• Develop and execute change management strategies aligned with the clients operating model transformation.
• Support adoption of new systems, tools, and workflows, including centralized monitoring  environments.
• Clarify how new teams and functions (e.g., Signals and Comms Maintenance, Engineering, and Capital, monitoring workflows) interact and fit together.
• Drive cultural and behavioural change to support data‑driven, system‑centric operations.
• Conduct stakeholder impact assessments and readiness assessments across operations, maintenance, and support functions.
• Develop targeted communication plans, messaging, and engagement strategies for different stakeholder groups.
• Coordinate closely with training, operations, and technology leads to align change, training, and implementation efforts.
• Support leadership with change sponsorship, coaching, and reinforcement strategies.
• Identify and mitigate resistance to change through proactive engagement and feedback mechanisms.
• Support transition planning from legacy operating practices.
• Define and track change adoption metrics and readiness indicators.
• Support rollout milestones, pilot activities, and phased implementation plans.
• Ensure change management activities are integrated into overall program governance and delivery.
• Provide best‑practice guidance on large‑scale operational and workforce transformation.

Experience, skills, knowledge and competencies

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Business Administration, Organizational Development, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, or related field – advanced degree in a related field, preferred. In lieu of a bachelor’s or advanced degree in Engineering, or related field;
• Significant experience working with major signaling programs as it relates to the change management, or operational readiness.
• Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical and operational stakeholders, with an understanding of competency and capability management in complex organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to operate successfully in high‑visibility, high‑pressure environments with competing priorities.
• Recognized leadership capability as a change agent, with strategic, creative, and innovative thinking to align organizational goals with practical change solutions.
• Strong team‑building skills, including active listening, structured problem‑solving, and effective prioritization.
• Experience supporting change initiatives for CBTC programs or similarly complex, technology‑driven systems preferred.

For the right person, this role presents a fantastic opportunity to develop their career, joining an established and passionate team, with ambitious plans to grow.

We offer benefits such as:

• Competitive compensation packages
• A performance-related pay incentive scheme
• Healthcare insurance premiums (100% paid for by us)
• Generous vacation leave entitlement (25 days)
• 401K with employer matching contributions
• Access to Employee Discount Program via LifeMart

NRC supports flexible working practices, and we understand that life balance is an important part of our employees' lives. We offer a wide range of flexible work/life balance options such as hybrid (home/office) working, flexible working hours where appropriate.

Apply

Sound interesting? Apply to this vacancy today and our Talent Acquisition team will review your application in due course.

NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.