Senior Policy Advisors Rail Licensing and Accountabilities

438276 Senior Policy Advisors Rail Licensing and Accountabilities

Department for Transport

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 7th December 2025

Location:
Birmingham, Leeds, London (Hybrid)

Salary:
National Salary: £44,241 London Salary: £48,581

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type:
Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Available positions:
2

We are looking for two Senior Policy Advisors to join the Rail Sector Accountability Division. The roles offer an opportunity to be a key part of delivering the biggest reform in rail in a generation.

These roles will drive the development and implementation of the GBR licence and establish reformed rail sector accountabilities in legislation. You will be at the heart of shaping the GBR licence, influencing how GBR is governed and held to account and supporting Ministers in the passage of the Railways Bill. The roles will be crosscutting in nature and will require the successful candidates to be able to work strategically across interconnected issues. This will include policy development of the licence as well as the wider regulatory strategy, and the ORR's overarching institutional role in the reformed system.

The successful candidates will also require strong relationship-building skills to be able to work effectively with colleagues, leveraging the expertise of others to develop coherent and deliverable policy solutions that ensure GBR is able to deliver on its objectives, within a clear accountability framework.

Top Responsibilities

• On the GBR licence: Driving forward policy development of the GBR licence, a central pillar of rail reform, ensuring that its contents reflects and supports the wider transformation agenda.
• Translating complex policy into a clear, authoritative GBR licence document, working with stakeholders across and beyond government to ensure it is coherent and ready for a public consultation.
• Building trusted relationships with industry, to inform policy and ensure that the GBR licence is developed and implemented in time for GBR's creation.
• On the broader statutory accountabilities: Ownership of wider legislative provisions in the Railways Bill relating to rail sector accountabilities, including GBR's statutory functions, duties, GBR's licence, directions and guidance and the role of the ORR.
• Supporting Ministers through the passage of the Bill including drafting high-quality materials, coordinating responses, and advising ministers on policy matters at pace.
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders across government and industry to support policy development and the passage of the Bill in line with the Government's vision for rail reform.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About you

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience in developing and delivering complex policy, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and contributing to effective outcomes.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and managing competing priorities.
• Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with industry and cross-government stakeholders, fostering collaboration and driving shared goals.
• Experience in supporting the development and scrutiny of legislation, including drafting briefing materials.

How to Apply

Read the full job description and apply here

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 7th December 2025