Principal Occupational Health & Wellbeing Specialist

Technical Authority’s (TA) purpose is to support Network Rail's front line to deliver safe and efficient performance for passengers and freight. Our world-leading engineers and technical specialists provide technical leadership and specialist expertise, manage the National Control and Competence Frameworks, facilitate technical growth, and lateral learning and assure regional delivery.

The Occupational Health, hygiene and Wellbeing Services team lead and support the delivery of OH & Wellbeing services provided by our third-party partners to all Network Rail employees throughout the UK. Leading and being a part of the team means you will be acting as the company specialist on all occupational health and wellbeing issues, providing assurance that appropriate strategies, policies, and controls to address risks and opportunities are being successfully developed and implemented by our service providers. You will also contribute to the management of the technical governance and assurance from the in-house occupational health service. This is a vital role that can truly make a lasting difference to the organisation and wider railway industry.

Brief Description

The role of Principal Occupational Health & Wellbeing Specialist is an exciting role within Technical Authority, you will work within a dedicated team to deliver a high-profile and far-reaching Occupational Health, hygiene & Wellbeing strategy within Network Rail [NR] Control Period 7 (2024 – 2029).

We will develop a multilevel health performance framework - to include all contractual agreements and service provision that relate to Occupational health. You will Implement a plan to drive and enhance multilevel health performance improvement.

You will drive a Rail Industry leadership forum – focussed on health performance using data driven insights to improve health outcomes.

You will review NR health performance measures to aligning Occupational Health activity and intervention to support improvement including reduction of reported Occupational Health ill health diagnosis, (RIDDOR) reportable occurrences, Industrial Disease claims, Sickness Absence and Premature IHR.

You’re role will be integral to the quality and effectiveness of the NR Occupational Health Standards and policies review and development.

You’ll provide leadership to a team of Senior Occupational Health Specialists within the team and will involve you working collaboratively with stakeholders and manage key customer relationships, driving value through the development and delivery of supplier strategies, and through the clinical and commercial relationship management of key suppliers to Network Rail. You will also regularly engage with a variety of senior stakeholders across the business, as well as industry partners throughout the lifecycle of the programme.

About the role (External)

The role of Principal Occupational Health & Wellbeing Specialist is a is a multifaceted role where every day is different, but some of the activities you will be required to undertake will include;

Leading on the provision of expert advice, guidance and support on the application and management of health and wellbeing for our customers and suppliers and inputting into formal investigations, incidents, and operational issues. Represent Network Rail externally to the industry, attend stakeholder meetings and speaking on and publishing in relevant platforms. Provide direction for occupational health and wellbeing analysis, design and risk assessment in the health and safety management system. Support the setting of policy and standards, operational processes, and occupational health systems. Lead strategy within the occupational health, hygiene and wellbeing arena for the development of tools and approaches to occupational health and wellbeing in liaison with experts internally and externally including regulatory bodies. Lead the provision and interpretation of comprehensive, high quality occupational health, hygiene and wellbeing management information and reporting
services to the Director of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Services and Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing Services.

So if you’re interested in being part of the team, would like an opportunity to help shape and enhance the way Network Rail deliver Occupational Health, hygiene & Wellbeing Services across the organisation for the benefit of our workforce, we would love to hear from you.

· A Registered Nurse with a post graduate Occupational Health qualification and proven experience of Railway Occupational Health or similar safety critical work environment.

· Experience in researching and delivering occupational health and wellbeing services and knowledge in industrial domains.

· Extensive experience of leading the application of health and wellbeing in complex system, product, and process developments.

· Experience of data analysis, interpretation and management to drive the continual improvement cycle within occupational health and wellbeing.

Keeping people safe on the railway is the heart of everything we do at Network Rail, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should demonstrate their personal dedication to safety in their application.

• Salary: Band 2A £60,934 - £68,550 per annum (Any salary offered will be within the advertised salary range and is dependent upon experience)


• Closing date: 14th July 2024 Late applications will not be accepted. Network Rail reserves the right to close


• Interviews will commence 22nd July 2024 (Subject to business requirements)


• Location: Glasgow St Vincent Street or Milton Keynes (For roles based in Milton Keynes, you must live within 90 minutes of travel from the office or be willing to relocate)


Network Rail is a company that provides an assortment of benefits (including but not limited to):

• Flexible working - Network Rail recognise the need that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life


• 28 days annual leave entitlement.


• A selection of Pension schemes and discounted offers including, childcare vouchers, Healthcare offers – cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits.


• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets.


• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community.