Great Western Railway (GWR)
Fleet Operations Controller
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Salary: Depending on skills and experience
Location: Swindon
Contract: Permanent - Full-time
Closing Date: 19th October 2026
Who are we:
GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services.
With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations.
We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.
About the team:
Based in our Integrated Control Centre in Swindon, the Train Service Delivery team is at the heart of Great Western Railway's operation, helping thousands of customers reach their destinations safely and reliably every day.
Working in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment, the team plays a vital role in keeping our railway moving. From managing the live train service and coordinating operational responses to providing accurate customer information and supporting service recovery during disruption, the team works to deliver the best possible experience for our customers.
You'll work closely with colleagues across GWR, including Control Room leaders, Area Operations Managers and Engineering teams, as well as industry partners such as Network Rail and other Train Operating Companies. It's a highly collaborative environment where situations can change quickly, every day can bring a new challenge and no two shifts are quite the same.
The team is responsible for the day-to-day management and delivery of the GWR service, bringing together train planning, customer information, area operations, service management and incident recovery. We also work to identify and support opportunities to improve performance and the overall customer experience.
About the job:
As a Fleet Operations Controller, you'll play an important role in making sure the right trains are in the right place at the right time. You'll help ensure our services have the appropriate number of seats, the right traction for the route and that we maximise fleet availability. You'll also proactively manage the fleet to make sure trains return to depots when required for maintenance and inspections, while keeping the needs of our customers at the heart of the decisions you make.
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This is a role where things can change quickly, so you'll need to be comfortable making informed decisions, working with a range of people and finding solutions when challenges arise.
What you'll be doing:
- Managing the allocation of GWR's fleet across our services to help deliver the promised capacity and facilities for our customers.
- Working proactively with internal and external stakeholders to maximise fleet availability and support the daily train plan.
- Working closely with GWR Engineering and Hitachi to ensure the required fleet is available to support maintenance plans.
- Balancing fleet requirements by maintaining an accurate understanding of depot capacity and helping resolve issues when they arise.
- Keeping safety at the heart of your decisions, identifying safe solutions within your level of competence and escalating issues when appropriate.
- Providing clear and accurate updates on the fleet position to colleagues and the wider business.
- Responding positively to changing circumstances and working collaboratively to minimise the impact of disruption on our customers and colleagues.
Skills and Experience:
We're looking for someone who:
- Can work collaboratively with a range of colleagues and stakeholders to find effective solutions.
- Is comfortable making timely, informed decisions, particularly during periods of disruption.
- Can consider both the immediate and longer-term impact of decisions.
- Enjoys solving problems and can anticipate potential challenges before they become issues.
- Understands the importance of putting the customer experience at the heart of decision-making.
- Has strong attention to detail and can manage competing priorities.
- Takes ownership of delivering outcomes and is committed to finding practical solutions.
- Is committed to working safely and knows when to seek support or escalate an issue.
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Desirable experience and knowledge:
- Experience of stakeholder management and working with a range of internal and external stakeholders, suppliers or customers.
- Experience of working in a fleet, rail, transport or operational environment.
- Experience of train service management, fleet planning or a similar operational role.
- Knowledge of the systems and processes used within train service management or fleet planning.
Working pattern:
24/7 coverage is required for this role, so a shift pattern is required, including nights and weekend working. Although based in Swindon, occasional travel across the GWR network may be required.
Benefits:
Alongside your salary, you'll receive a fantastic benefits package, including:
- Free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family
- Discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies
- Defined benefit pension through the Railways Pension Scheme
- Company-sponsored healthcare plan
- Discounted shopping and gym membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Structured career development and progression opportunities
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.
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.
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