Operations and Driving Standards Manager

Make your mark with Colas Rail UK

At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different.

This is true because...

• We value everyone as part of the same team.
• We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down.
• We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want.
• We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion.
• We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different.
• We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations.

About Us

Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure.

At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail.

Leading by our Values

Our values, Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions.

We Respect our employees, celebrate diversity and foster a culture of safety, care and respect for everyone we interact with. We care about our employee’s wellbeing and create an environment of inclusivity and support.

We Commit by showing up wholeheartedly. When we commit together, we invest in everyone’s success. We invest in our customers, our teams and our colleagues, and we lead with safety, integrity, passion, purpose, ethics and transparency.

We Share as we all hold knowledge that could and should be shared, enabling us to grow and making us a strong collective. We have a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent.

We Pioneer to push boundaries, imagine what does not yet exist and dare to do what others do not. We innovate with ambition, and we find solutions.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.

Purpose of the Role

Ensure that all Rail Services Locomotives and On Track Machines are operated in full compliance with Colas Rail's ROGS certification, Railway Industry Standards and Health and Safety Legislation.

Person Specification

IT literacy skills:

• Must be able to work alone and manage their own time.
• Competent to undertake Risk Assessments.
• Competent or working towards Signal Sighting competency.
• Competent to undertake investigations using Root Cause Analysis.
• Strong and effective communicator.
• Holds Personal Track Safety competency.
• Competent to download and interpret data recorder information.

Technical Skills:

• Certified for Incident/ Accident investigations
• Competent in driving duties.
• Hold train driving Rules and Regulations, qualifications and competencies
• Qualified as a Trainer / Assessor
• Holder of a current full UK driving licence
• Ability to identify competency standards required as a result of legislation, operational standards and safety procedures and maintain same by audit and surveillance.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and develop initiatives to improve operational safety across the Rail Services business.
• Development of all company operational / driving procedures in line with legislative, industry standard or company policy changes.
• Prepare and implement internal standards for the Driving operation of all traction units.
• Liaise with other rail companies so best practices can be gained / shared working closely with Network Rail.
• Assist with other departments to assess train drivers subject to vocational competency. Carry out ad hoc visits to ascertain levels of competency with driving staff.
• Conduct quality investigations into operating incidents including SPADs (using data recorder information where necessary).
• Ensure all rail operations are carried out safely in accordance with Rules and Regulations and appropriate Safety Legislation and Welfare Regulations.
• Carry out Safety Inspections and Tours as required.
• Promote Colas Rail’s Close Call procedure.
• Collaborate with the Training department to ensure all training, assessments and competency requirements are recognised and managed to compliance and that all records are up to date, visible and auditable.
• Authorised to remove from driving duties any driver if doubts exist concerning the individual’s capability or competence to continue.
• Implement Action Plans in accordance with investigations that require the individual triggering the Competency Development Plan (CDP) process.
• Advise and brief Regional Operations Managers / Delivery Managers on all issues of Driving / Operational Standards and procedures.
• Attend or ensure representation at all appropriate industry forums including TORG, TOSG, communications reviews and M&EE groups.
• Carry out on call duties as required by the business.
• Ensure drivers are briefed with up-to-date policies and procedures, to include Driver Days and Rule Book briefings.
• Chair relevant meetings as required or directed by the Head of Operations and Standards, such as SPAD Working Group
• Must have an understanding of how all the business groups such as Plant, I.M and Freight operate
• Review and update documentation as directed by the Head of Operations and Standards
• Carry out engagement visits to increase visibility for all disciplines within Rail Services.
• As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
• The above does not limit your duties and the company may require you from time to time to undertake work within your capability and competence.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• 26 days Annual Leave
• Industry leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail.

We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process.

As part of a positive action drive to address under-representation we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010.

We are proudly part of the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you meet the minimum requirements.

On joining Colas Rail you’ll have access to our growing Employee Network Groups including Railbow (representing the LGBTQ+ community), BeyonDisability (representing those with disabilities) and Cross Culture (representing people from ethnic backgrounds). Everyone is welcome to join our network groups whether you are part of the community or an ally.

Work life balance is important to us; flexible working options are available where feasible and dependant on the role. Please discuss this during the interview process.

Join us in making a positive impact! Apply and be part of a team that values diversity and embraces unique perspectives.