Driver Development & Assurance Manager

Great Western Railway (GWR); West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Free rail travel

Discounted travel

Company health care plan

Discounted shopping

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Great Western Railway (GWR) is seeking a skilled Driver Development & Assurance professional to provide subject matter expertise in driver training development, route learning, assessment and verification across the West Region. You will liaise between HQ Operations and Driver functions, ensuring compliance with company standards to deliver a safe and efficient train service.

You will assess and verify Driver Competent Managers and contribute to continuous improvement through engagement with

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.
• Experience leading and developing teams in a unionised environment.
• Knowledge of GWR operations and industry procedures.
• Experience delivering results through collaboration and adaptability.
• Experience in managing multiple deadlines and implementing new procedures.
• Proven people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain regional route learning, assessment and driver training materials.
• Develop and issue operational notices relating to route learning and assessment.
• Review and improve route learning, assessment and company standards.
• Assess and verify Driver Competent Managers, covering assessment, incident investigation, training delivery and development.
• Support Depot Driver Managers and Driver Standards Managers with training and assessment.
• Design and deliver regional standardisation activities for Driver Competent Managers; participate in Competence Review Process.
• Support incident investigations, safety meetings and operational forums; implement actions to improve safety and performance.
• Lead regional operational risk reduction activities and strengthen safety standards.

Job description

Be Part of a Journey Like No Other – Join GWR

At Great Western Railway, we're more than a train company - we're the proud custodians of Brunel's iconic railway, one of the most prestigious networks in the world. With over 100 million passenger journeys each year and more than 275 destinations across the South West, South Wales and London, we deliver travel experiences through some of the UK's most beautiful landscapes and top tourist spots.

We're not standing still. With a modern fleet and ambitious plans for growth, we're transforming the way people think about rail travel: relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

Our team of 6,000+ passionate colleagues - from engineers to on-board hosts - play a vital role in this transformation. And their efforts are paying off with GWR's Customer satisfaction score of 92% - our highest in 20 years!

These results show what's possible when teamwork, pride and passion drive everything we do. We've set a new standard. Now we're looking for more great people to help us keep raising it.

Ready to join something exceptional? Discover opportunities at GWR and be part of our journey.

About the team

This role is part of the HQ Operations team, who are responsible for developing and maintaining the competence requirements of our operational colleagues against a robust set of operational procedures. The team's aim is to strive for continual improvement through development of people and processes.

About the job

Reporting to the Head of Driver Development & Assurance, the primary purpose of this role is to provide subject matter expertise and support in relation to driver training development, route learning, assessment and verification.

You will act as a regional liaison point between HQ Operations and Driver functions in relation to risk management and incident reduction plans.

You will assess and verify an allocated team of driver competent managers and trainers to ensure competence in accordance with company standards to provide a safe and efficient train service.

You will ensure alignment with industry good practice and business requirements by building substantial internal and external professional networks.

Your main responsibilities will be

• Own and maintain regional route learning, assessment and driver training materials, ensuring they are accurate, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Develop and issue operational notices relating to route learning and assessment, supporting the safe operation of trains.
• Review and improve route learning, assessment and company standards, identifying and implementing opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Assess and verify Driver Competent Managers, covering assessment, incident investigation, training delivery and competence development.
• Support Depot Driver Managers and Driver Standards Managers with training, development, assessment and new entrant requirements.
• Design and deliver regional standardisation activities for Driver Competent Managers and represent HQ Operations in the Competence Review Process.
• Support incident investigations, safety meetings and operational forums, implementing appropriate actions and recommendations to improve safety and performance.
• Lead regional operational risk reduction activity, identifying and implementing actions to strengthen safety and operational standards.

You’ll need to be

• Flexible and ready to respond to the demands of a changing business.
• Able to demonstrate experience of working with others to deliver results, through effective relationship-building and communication.
• Well-versed in GWR and industry operational procedures and processes.
• Experienced in leading, managing and developing teams within a unionised environment and building relationships with trade union representatives.
• Experienced in working to tight deadlines, and successfully implementing new procedures and ways of working
• Proven experience of effective people management.

As a minimum, you will need to have

• Competence to drive trains and hold a current train driver licence, with a minimum of four years' train operation experience.
• Competence in rules and regulations with an excellent knowledge of rules and regulations, operating instructions, industry standards, statutory legislation and experience of developing standards, procedures and briefing documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship building abilities.

Relevant competencies including workplace health and safety (e.g. IOSH), assessor, verifier, trainer and investigator are desirable but training in some or all of these elements can be provided.

About the location

The role is based in the West Region, but flexibility is required to travel across the GWR network, including ad-hoc lodgings where necessary.

Working Pattern

Full time, 37 hours per week.

Additional Information

There is a second line operations on-call requirement which will include weekend working.

There will be the opportunity for some remote working, but this is variable and dependent on business requirements – every week in HQ Operations is different!

The Reward

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:

• defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme,
• free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family,
• discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies,
• company-sponsored health care plan,
• discounted shopping and gym membership,
• employee assistance programme and much more.

We all belong at GWR.

This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our 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 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.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as 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.

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/