Head of Planning

About us

Network Rail shares its expertise with the world’s rail owners and operators through Network Rail Consulting (NRC). We understand the institutional, regulatory, technical, policy and strategic issues of running a railway in the 21st century.

We know how to operate a network, manage its assets, and deliver renewal and enhancement programs whilst minimising the disruption to passenger and freight services.

What makes us different from other consultants is that our people have genuine hands-on experience in solving the challenges you face in the real world of rail operations. We are rail professionals operating and maintaining one of the world’s leading railway systems who want to share our expertise, experience, and passion for the job.

We have been active in the Australian, Canadian, Middle Eastern and United States markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered over 200 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organisations, and for passenger and freight owners and operators, achieving consistently excellent levels of client satisfaction.

Our advice covers the full range of the project life cycle, from concept, project development and delivery through to operations and maintenance.

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

We offer a competitive and flexible employee experience, including:

• Highly competitive market rate salaries;
• Generous annual leave - 25 days per year, plus the option to buy or sell leave;
• Above award Parental Leave program;
• Life Insurance & Total Permanent Disability cover;
• Novated car leasing arrangements;
• Career development pathways;
• Learning & development programs;
• Rewards Gateway employee discounts; and
• Flexible working arrangements.

About the role

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced rail project planner to join our team on secondment as an Associate Director, Planning in Brisbane on a permanent full-time basis for two years.

In this technical consulting role, equivalent to a Band 2 role in Network Rail, you will utilise your advanced skills in project planning, scheduling, controls and Primavera P6, to help us deliver major infrastructure programs in Australia, with a particular focus on digital signalling and ETCS projects.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will manage interfaces, drive accurate reporting, and provide clear, actionable insights into schedule performance. You will also support governance processes and contribute to the continuous improvement of planning standards, tools, and methodologies.

You will bring a proactive, adaptable, and delivery-focused approach, with the ability to respond to evolving project and business needs.

This is an exciting opportunity to join NRC and play a key role in delivering complex rail projects and advisory services in Australia. You will work closely with clients and colleagues to provide practical expertise, solve complex challenges and help deliver high-quality outcomes across a range of programmes.

You will also work alongside experienced rail professionals from around the world, including Network Rail colleagues also on secondment from the UK.

Key Accountabilities

In this role, you can expect to be doing the following:

• Develop, maintain and manage integrated project schedules, ensuring alignment across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.

• Provide accurate and timely schedule updates, analysis and reporting to internal leadership and external stakeholders.

• Produce high-quality program reporting to support governance forums, senior leadership and project boards.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to capture progress, validate assumptions and ensure schedule integrity.

• Lead planning sessions, scheduling reviews and program workshops to drive alignment and accountability.

• Lead Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis across complex programs.

• Undertake critical path analysis and proactively identify risks, constraints and opportunities impacting delivery.

• Implement and maintain effective project controls processes, including schedule governance, change management and performance tracking.

• Support risk and issue management processes by ensuring alignment between schedule impacts and risk registers.

• Monitor and track project risks and issues, ensuring accurate and timely updates are recorded and managed.

• Facilitate risk and planning workshops, supporting teams to identify, assess and mitigate delivery risks.

• Provide guidance and support to project teams on planning standards, tools and best practices.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients and key stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will typically demonstrate the following:

• Significant rail project planning experience.

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, with strong understanding of the project lifecycle and planning best practices.

• Experience in schedule risk analysis and integrating planning activities with broader project controls and risk frameworks.

• Proven ability to operate in client-facing/consultancy environments, with strong stakeholder engagement and influence across senior leaders and technical SMEs.

• High attention to detail, with the ability to interrogate, validate and assure complex programmes and schedule integrity.

• Strong commercial and governance awareness, ensuring compliance with project controls standards and organisational requirements.

• Excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to deliver under pressure to tight deadlines.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise insights and reporting.

• Proficient in MS Office and reporting tools, with a proactive, delivery-focused mindset and ownership of outcomes.

• It would be desirable to have experience in leading and delivering project planning activities on digital signalling or ETCS programs.

Apply

Interested in this opportunity? Apply today and our Talent Acquisition team will review your application in due course. If your experience aligns with the role, a member of our team will be in touch.

The closing date for this vacancy is 31^st July 2026.

This secondment is initially for two years, with the potential for extension by mutual agreement. You will be expected to relocate to Brisbane for the duration of the secondment. NRC will support you and your family with the move, including arranging your work permit, covering flights and helping you find accommodation.

If you have any questions, please contact Suzie Pose, our Australian Talent Acquisition Specialist: suzie.pose@networkrailconsulting.com.

Pre-Employment Checks

For an Australian secondment, successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which include a national criminal history check and reference checks.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

NRC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, family status, marital status, Indigenous identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.