Control Competency & Development Manager

WM Trains Limited; Rugby; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension from day 1

Free rail travel for you and family

Discount on other rail services

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

WM Trains Limited in Rugby seeks a Control Competency & Development Manager to lead the development, assessment and maintenance of skills across the Control team. You will design, deliver and continuously enhance training materials and competency programmes for Controller grades, building a high-performing Control function.

You will drive a continuous improvement mindset, align training with industry standards, and uphold safety-driven, professional performance across shifts.

Qualifications

• Competency in Controller desks and willingness to work on desk periodically.
• Operational knowledge of routes, depots, infrastructure, and safe practices.
• Familiarity with WMT standards, rules and regulations.
• Qualified in or working towards A1 (assessing).
• Qualified in or working towards V1 (verification).
• Experience in delivering training to Controllers.
• Willing to pursue Learning and Development qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the Control CMS for compliance and continuous improvement.
• Develop RBTNA for Controllers and align with standards.
• Oversee competency assessments across varying shift patterns.
• Create and deliver training materials, briefings, and programmes.
• Act as SME to drive safety performance and service quality.
• Lead a network of mentors and trainers for knowledge transfer.
• Ensure content meets Rule Book requirements and safety standards.

Skills

Controller desks competency

Control operational knowledge

WMT standards & regs

A1 qualification (assessing)

V1 qualification (verification)

Education

Learning & Development qualifications (City & Guilds 001/008)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Genius

Integrale

Tyrell

Trust

CFF

P2 CCIL

Job description

Control Competency & Development Manager

Application Deadline: 12 October 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Rugby

Reporting To: Alex Curtis

Compensation: Competitive DOE

Description

As the Control Competence Manager, you will lead the development, assessment and ongoing maintenance of skills across the Control team, ensuring colleagues are competent, confident and fully equipped to carry out their safety-critical responsibilities.

You will act as the custodian of the Control competence management framework, driving both competence and capability development to support the safe, effective and resilient delivery of train services. Drawing on your operational Control and assessment experience, you will design, develop, deliver and continuously enhance training materials, briefings and competency programmes for Controller grades, helping to build a high-performing and professional Control function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the Control Competency Management System (CMS), ensuring compliance, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Manage and develop the Risk Based Training Needs Analysis (RBTNA) for Controllers, aligning training with industry standards, business requirements, and best practice.
• Deliver and oversee a robust competency assessment and verification programme for Controllers, including undertaking assessments across varying shift patterns.
• Develop and implement the Control competency and development strategy, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Act as the operational subject matter expert within Control, driving operational excellence, safety performance, and service quality.
• Monitor and assure communication standards across Control, reviewing written, verbal, and digital communications to support consistency and quality.
• Create and lead the Control briefing programme, sharing safety updates, operational learning, best practice, workshops, and simulation exercises.
• Analyse incident investigations and learning reviews to identify trends, implement improvements, and strengthen operational performance.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver training materials, supporting onboarding, progression, and development pathways for Controllers.
• Lead and support a network of Control mentors and trainers to ensure effective knowledge transfer across all operational roles.
• Ensure all training content and delivery remains compliant with relevant Rule Book requirements, operational procedures, and safety standards.
• Represent Control at internal meetings, reviews, workshops, and cross-functional forums, providing operational expertise and insight.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Holds Competency in Controller desks (e.g. Duty Control, Fleet Manager, Train Service Manager), and be willing to maintain competence through actively working on desk on a periodic basis
• Thorough Control Operational Knowledge, such as (but not limited to) routes, depots, infrastructure, Traincrew Terms and Conditions, exam mileage, fleet requirements, safety of the line incidents
• Thorough knowledge of WMT Operational Standards, rules & regulations relating to WMT operations
• Must hold or be working towards a qualification in assessing (A1 or equivalent)
• Must hold or be working towards or willing to obtain a qualification in verification (V1 or equivalent)
• Knowledge of software including Word, Excel, Genius, Integrale, Tyrell, Trust, CFF and P2 CCIL
• Able to deliver presentations and group learning activities to both new and existing Controllers
• Experience of coaching or training Controllers to required WMT Competency levels
• Hold or be willing to work towards Learning and Development qualifications such as City & Guilds 001 and 008 modules

To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.

Benefits

• A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
• Free travel on all London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
• A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)- A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
• Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
• A retail discount portal- offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.