Access Planner
Location: Stratford
Salary: Up to £50,000
About the company
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Access Planner to join a leading rail infrastructure contractor delivering complex projects across the UK network.
Our client is a specialist rail services provider, focused on planning, designing, and delivering safe, efficient rail operations. They work across multiple disciplines including track, electrification, signalling, and infrastructure upgrades, supporting some of the busiest parts of the network. Safety, innovation, and collaboration are at the core of everything they do, and they are committed to developing their employees’ skills and careers.
Access Planner role purpose
The Access Planner will play a critical role in enabling the safe and efficient delivery of rail projects by planning track possessions and access arrangements. This includes coordinating with multiple stakeholders, ensuring compliance with all safety regulations, and managing conflicting priorities to minimise disruption to rail services. You will be responsible for ensuring access windows are clearly scheduled, approved, and communicated to all relevant teams, enabling projects to run on time and safely. This role provides excellent exposure to large-scale rail programmes and the opportunity to grow into senior planning or project management positions.
This company sees their employees as their most important resource and encourage full involvement to develop their abilities for the benefit of the individual and company. This role offers a clear pathway to senior roles in planning and project management, with ongoing professional development and training funded by the company.
The key responsibilities for the Access Planner role are:
- Report to the Planning/Delivery Manager and provide regular updates on access planning activities.
- Develop, manage, and deliver detailed track possession and access plans in line with project requirements.
- Coordinate with contractors, site personnel, train operators, and infrastructure managers to ensure safe and efficient access during possession windows.
- Submit and manage access and possession requests, ensuring all approvals, isolation, and protection arrangements are in place.
- Monitor changes to access requirements, resolve conflicts, and escalate risks to ensure plans remain compliant and deliverable.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, including Safe Work Packs, permits, and certificates.
- Support the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives in access planning processes.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant railway safety standards, procedures, and legislation.
- Assist in the preparation of reports, schedules, and briefings for senior management and project teams.
- Liaise with internal teams to optimise planning, minimise disruption to rail services, and support project delivery timelines.
Experience and skills required for this Access Planner role are:
- Proven experience in rail access or possession planning within a contractor or infrastructure environment.
- Strong understanding of railway infrastructure, operations, and planning systems.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities, tight deadlines, and dynamic changes.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills (verbal and written), working with internal teams, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and willingness to learn specialist rail planning software.
- Safety-focused mindset with knowledge of risk management and compliance in rail operations.
- Ability to produce clear, accurate documentation including Safe Work Packs, permits, and schedules.
- Possession of relevant rail safety certifications (e.g., PTS, COSS).
- Experience working on London rail networks or urban rail infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with Possession Planning System (PPS) or equivalent railway planning tools.
- Knowledge of relevant rail standards such as NR/L2/OHS/019 or equivalent safe work planning standards.
- Previous exposure to multi-disciplinary rail projects including track, signalling, and electrification
Package on offer for this Access Planner role:
- Salary: Up to £50,000
- Stratford-based, 5 days per week
- 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Auto-enrolment into pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
How to apply for this Access Planner role:
If you are interested in this Access Planner position then please apply via this job board.
Apply now for further details and immediate consideration for this Access Planner role. Navartis are an equality and diversity recruitment agent and employer.
Service advertised by Navartis are that of an Employment Agency/Business