Rail Operations Advisory and Strategic Planning Specialist

About us

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail, the owner and operator of Britain’s railway. Since 2013, we’ve delivered over 200 consultancy contracts across Australia, the Middle East, and North America, supporting government agencies, public and private organisations, and passenger and freight operators.

Our reputation is built on consistently high levels of client satisfaction and technical expertise. We are driven by our core values: Agile, Always Safe, Care About People, Collaborative, Impartial and Passionate.

What We Offer

• 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.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Rail Operations Advisory and Strategic Planning Specialist to help our clients optimise timetable and network capacity, improve operational performance, and support the successful delivery of major rail programs, based in Brisbane.

This is an exciting opportunity for an operational planning professional who combines strategic thinking with deep technical expertise in timetable development, timetable modelling, timetable assurance, and rail operations.

As a consultant, you will provide strategic and operational planning expertise across major rail infrastructure, network enhancement, and operational readiness programs. Working closely with rail operators, infrastructure managers, government agencies, and project teams, you will support the development of robust operating strategies, service plans, capacity assessments, and timetable solutions that enable safe, reliable, and efficient railway operations.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of railway operations and planning principles, together with practical experience in timetable development, timetable validation and assurance, network capacity analysis, and operational performance improvement within passenger, freight, metro, heavy rail, or light rail environments.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead strategic rail operations planning initiatives, helping clients define future operating concepts, evaluate network performance, assess capacity constraints, and develop resilient timetables that support growing passenger and freight demand.
• Develop and assure Concepts of Operations (ConOps), operating models, service plans, and operational strategies for new and existing rail networks.
• Support clients in future operations planning, helping shape how rail networks will operate to meet changing passenger demand, freight requirements, and network expansion objectives.
• Contribute to the development of Network Capacity Strategies, identifying opportunities to optimise network utilisation, improve reliability, and support long-term growth.
• Develop, review and assure train service plans, operating strategies, and timetable solutions for major rail programs.
• Undertake timetable modelling, timetable validation, and timetable assurance activities to support infrastructure upgrades, service expansions, and operational change programs.
• Analyse network capacity and operational performance to identify opportunities to improve reliability, resilience, efficiency, and customer outcomes.
• Support the development of business cases, operational concepts, service planning strategies, and Operational Readiness Plans for major rail projects.
• Provide operational planning expertise throughout the project lifecycle, from strategic studies and feasibility assessments through to testing, commissioning, operational readiness, and entry into service.
• Identify operational risks and constraints, ensuring projects achieve targeted operational performance and service outcomes.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, operators, infrastructure managers, regulators, and technical stakeholders.
• Produce high-quality technical reports, presentations, and client-facing deliverables.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Significant experience in railway operations planning, timetable planning, timetable development, or operational performance roles.
• Demonstrated experience developing, assessing, validating or assuring rail timetables within passenger, freight, metro, heavy rail, or light rail environments.
• Strong understanding of rail operations, network capacity assessment, service planning, and operational performance principles.
• Experience supporting major rail infrastructure projects, operational change programs, or operational readiness activities.
• Understanding of the interface between train operations, infrastructure capability, signalling systems, and service delivery.
• Ability to identify operational risks, capacity constraints, and service performance impacts and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Proven ability to build positive relationships with senior stakeholders, clients, operators, and technical subject matter experts.
• Strong analytical, report writing, and presentation skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and technical reporting.
• Experience working within project delivery environments and managing work to programme schedules and budgets.

Desirable:

• Experience using rail timetable planning, modelling, or simulation tools.
• Experience delivering rail operations modelling, service modelling, network capacity modelling, or operational performance analysis.
• Experience undertaking timetable assurance, timetable validation, or operational modelling activities.
• Experience developing Concepts of Operations (ConOps), service plans, operating strategies, or future operational models.
• Experience within Australian rail networks or major international rail systems.
• Knowledge of rail operational readiness, systems integration, and commissioning processes.
• Tertiary qualifications in Transport Planning, Engineering, Railway Operations, Logistics, or a related discipline.
• IRSE membership or other relevant professional accreditation.

Sound interesting?

Apply today and our Talent Acquisition team will review your application in due course.

Pre-Employment Checks

Successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which include a national criminal history check, reference checks and qualification checks, where appropriate.

Network Rail Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply!

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!