Project Manager (Rail)

Project Manager – Development Projects

Role Title: Project Manager – Development Portfolio
Location: Bristol [Weekly office attendance preferable - Hybrid Working]
Company: WCL Infrastructure
Contract Type: Permanent / Contract (Inside IR35)

Suitable for an experienced Assistant Project Manager or Project Manager.

About WCL Infrastructure

WCL Infrastructure is a specialist consultancy and delivery partner supporting the UK rail and infrastructure sector. We work closely with clients including Network Rail, train operators, and wider industry partners to develop and deliver complex programmes that enhance the safety, performance, and resilience of the rail network.

As our project portfolio grows, we are seeking a Project Manager or experience Assistant Project Manager to support early‑stage development projects from concept through to delivery readiness.

Role Purpose

The Project Manager will oversee a portfolio of pre‑construction development projects, ensuring each scheme is robustly defined, scoped, assessed, and fully prepared to pass into the construction phase. Acting on behalf of Network Rail, the Project Manager will coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams, manage stakeholders, ensure compliance with governance frameworks, and drive progress to key development milestones (GRIP/PACE equivalent).

This role is ideal for someone experienced in development‑stage rail projects who enjoys shaping schemes, solving problems early, and ensuring projects are set up for successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Portfolio Management

• Lead the end‑to‑end management of development‑stage rail infrastructure projects within a defined portfolio.
• Develop clear project scope, requirements, assumptions, risks, and constraints.
• Produce and maintain project documentation—sponsor papers, AIPs, business cases, feasibility reports, development plans, etc.
• Ensure project outputs meet Network Rail standards, governance, and assurance processes (e.g., PACE, GRIP, Common Safety Method).
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and financial approvals in line with client requirements.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary designers, engineering specialists, and external suppliers.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary interface between WCL Infrastructure, Network Rail sponsor teams, route asset managers, operations, engineering, contractors, and local authorities.
• Facilitate technical and stakeholder meetings, ensuring actions are captured and closed.
• Prepare and present reports, updates, and decision papers to governance boards.

Risk, Assurance & Governance

• Lead risk identification, quantification, mitigation planning, and contingency management.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and industry assurance processes (e.g., approvals in principle, land and consents, environmental and heritage considerations).
• Manage dependencies and interfaces across routes, programmes, and other stakeholders.

Delivery Readiness

• Ensure projects reach “construction-ready” status with all necessary design deliverables, consents, access strategies, possession plans, and enabling works in place.
• Support procurement activity, including development of specifications and contractor engagement.
• Conduct readiness reviews and stage‑gate assessments.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience managing development‑stage infrastructure projects (ideally within the rail sector).
• Understanding of Network Rail standards, governance processes (GRIP/PACE), and investment lifecycle.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing technical design processes.
• Track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and to required quality.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and report‑writing skills.
• Understanding of risk, schedule, and cost control.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage a portfolio of projects simultaneously.
• Prior experience as an Assistant Project Manager or Project Manager working to Network Rail standards.

Desirable

• APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management qualification.
• Engineering or technical background (civil, rail systems, electrical/mechanical, etc.).
• Experience with Network Rail systems (e.g., Oracle, CEM, CPMS).
• Knowledge of consents, land access, environmental assessments, and early‑stage design.
• Chartered status (CEng, MAPM, etc.) is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solution‑oriented, with strong critical thinking skills.
• Comfortable leading through ambiguity in early project phases.
• Strong collaborator and confident decision-maker.
• Organised, detail‑focused, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Flexible and able to work effectively with a wide stakeholder group.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape major rail infrastructure projects nationwide.
• Supportive, expert team culture with opportunities for progression.
• Professional development and training support.
• Flexible/hybrid working.