South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.
Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
About the job
Reporting to the Regional Manager, this role will take responsibility for ensuring all day to day station operations are delivered to the highest possible standards. This role has the responsibility for ensuring that the regional performance and safety plans are in place and that key milestones are being met, holding peers and others to account for delivery timescales. The post holder will take ownership of colleague rostering for the region, ensuring deployment is optimal and meets the needs of the region under the 5 business goals of Customer, Colleague, Commercial, Safety and Performance. The role holder will use data and company tools to identify local operational areas requiring improvement and work closely with other teams and individuals to propose and work jointly on solutions. The role is responsible for all contingency planning for the region and will work closely with the functional Operations Manager to supporting the overall functional Operations Strategy. The role will provide overall business support to the local Regional Manager including budget management and will form part of an on call roster.
Your main responsibilities will be:
Planning
Looks ahead and plans operational tasks for the year at a regional level, taking into account risks and opportunities
Supports the Regional Manager in budget planning and forecasting
Supports regional team to create clear implementation plans for functional operational projects and workstreams and ensures these are delivered on time
Identifies risk and takes an active role in safety validation for local projects (including temporary arrangements required during station improvement work)
KPIs and Compliance
Reviews and holds others to account for compliance led activities
Supports local Station Managers to ensure local compliance against company standards
Owns regional plans to improve safety and performance, reporting progress against key milestones
Takes local ownership of regional performance and safety targets and ensures robust communication regarding these, taking action where KPIs are adverse to budget
Efficiency and Process
Line manages the Regional Support Clerk team, ensuring they are aware of regional requirements and priorities and are working to maximum efficiency
Is aware of budget opportunities and seeks to maximise benefits from these
Is aware of budget limitations and seeks opportunities to drive efficiencies against all controllable costs
Leads manpower planning for the region, ensuring recruitment is timely and efficient and that attendance is being well managed
Reviews and adapts local processes to ensure they are efficient and meet the needs of all associated stakeholders
Coaches and supports the regional team to find improved ways of delivering locally that better meet functional objectives
Puts in place and maintains robust local contingency plans
Leadership and Delivery
Presents and communicate operational data to the regional team and other stakeholders as required
Provides local operational support and advice to internal stakeholders
Holds peers to account for local operational performance
Works with neighbouring regions to identify and share best practice and identify joint working opportunities
Seeks opportunities to improve our operational culture where safety initiatives also drive performance
Delivers required operational tasks on behalf of the Regional Manager and represents them when required
You'll need to have:
Good standard of education with demonstrated numeracy skills
Relevant experience in an operational role
Strong IT skills and ability to learn systems and programmes
Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and successfully adapt to changing priorities
Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills
Must have ability to work with data and use it to create clear plans
Evidence of strong planning and organisational skills
Has the ability to lead, motivate and influence others and improve culture
Broad railway operational knowledge is preferred but not essential
Working pattern
Working an average of 37 hours across 5 days per week, typically Monday - Friday.
Flexibility is required for weekend cover and local events.
The Reward
In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:
Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
75% discount on many other train operating companies
Full training and support with development
Excellent pension scheme
We all belong at SWR.
Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.