Project Planner at Network Rail, Milton Keynes, 6 months possible extension, £Contract Rate

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Project Planners x2 for 6 month contracts possible extension which are hybrid roles so does require up to 3 days a week in either the Milton Keynes or London Waterloo office locations

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain's railway. From Crossrail - Europe's largest civil engineering project - to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain 's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!

The GBR Leadership Academy exists to equip current and future railway leaders with the knowledge, skills and tools to lead and deliver an integrated industry where track and train are brought together after decades of fragmentation.

The academy will close critical knowledge gaps across the wider rail system, build common tools and frameworks for working through ambiguity and conflict, create space for collaboration and innovation, and strengthen the capability and community needed to lead a high-performing integrated railway.

We are looking for a highly organised training planner to coordinate the practical delivery of the GBR Leadership Academy. This role is central to making sure programmes run smoothly - from scheduling and venue logistics through to delegate management, joining instructions, materials, system updates and on-the-day coordination.

As a Project Planner, your main responsibilities will be:

• Create, maintain and update training schedules, delivery plans and planning trackers for academy programmes.
• Coordinate venues, room bookings, catering, equipment, materials and other delivery logistics.
• Manage delegate administration including invitations, registrations, confirmations, joining instructions, attendance tracking and learner communications.
• Maintain accurate programme information across relevant systems, databases, spreadsheets and shared planning tools.
• Liaise with facilitators, suppliers and internal colleagues to confirm readiness for each event and resolve planning issues in good time.
• Prepare participant packs, materials and delivery information to support a professional learner experience.
• Track actions, risks, changes and planning dependencies across programmes and escalate where required.
• Support reporting on delivery activity, attendance, feedback and other planning data.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying better ways to organise delivery, improve information flow and strengthen the learner experience.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience organising training, learning events or similar programmes end to end.
• Excellent planning and coordination skills with strong attention to detail.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office and the ability to manage schedules, data and communications accurately.
• Experience of venue coordination, delegate management and training administration.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and work flexibly in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative team-focused approach.

Desirable Skills

• Experience supporting leadership development programmes or corporate learning delivery.
• Experience of using learning management systems, booking systems or shared planning platforms.
• Knowledge of the rail sector or other complex operational environments.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.