Serco Plc
General Manager - Rail Technical Servivces
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Location: Derby DE24 8AN (Hybrid working available)
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full-time, with regular UK travel
Ready to impact a better future?
Serco Rail Technical Services (RTS) brings together seven specialist operations spanning Engineering, Metallurgy, On-site NDT, Training Services, Digital Services, Technical Consultancy, and On-site Maintenance. We have a clear ambition for 2030: to integrate these capabilities into one commercially focused business, delivering £10–12m revenue, stronger margins, and a substantially increased base of recurring work.
About the Role
As a General Manager in our Serco Rail Technical Services team, you'll lead the operational delivery of a specialist engineering / digital business that supports the rail industry across the UK. You'll translate ambitious strategic plans into measurable results, ensuring safe, compliant, and commercially successful services that make a positive impact for customers, communities, and the future of rail.
This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for bringing together multiple technical disciplines into one high-performing operation. Your work will have purpose, creating impactful solutions that support safer and more reliable rail networks while providing headroom for people to grow, innovate, and take pride in their contribution. Our work touches lives every day, and you'll help ensure we continue delivering trusted services that make a positive impact on communities.
What you’ll do as a General Manager
- Lead the safe, compliant, and commercially successful delivery of Engineering, Metallurgy, On-site Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Training Services, Digital Services, Technical Consultancy, and On-site Maintenance teams.
- Translate the Rail Technical Services strategy into operational plans, measurable objectives, and successful business outcomes.
- Own operational performance, including profit and loss, forecasting, resource planning, customer outcomes, quality, risk management, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships with customers, ensuring commitments are met and service excellence is maintained.
- Lead, coach, and develop senior managers, creating an inclusive culture built on trust, accountability, collaboration, and growth.
- Act as deputy to the Director, providing leadership continuity and informed decision-making across the business when required.
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About You
Does this sound like you?
- A leader who creates clarity, joins up complex operations, tackles problems early, and builds the management discipline required for sustainable growth.
- Significant senior leadership experience within rail, engineering, technical services, maintenance, or another safety-critical regulated environment.
- Proven experience leading multiple operational functions through managers and delivering results across complex service portfolios.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including profit and loss ownership, forecasting, and margin improvement.
- A track record of delivering strategic change, integrating teams, and driving innovation and continuous improvement.
- A sound understanding of safety, quality, competence, and technical governance in regulated engineering operations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at executive, customer, and industry level.
What we offer
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- A performance-based bonus scheme
- A company car or cash alternative
- Private medical insurance
- Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
- Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment, and travel
- Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
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Vetting and checks
This role requires BPSS clearance, which involves identity verification, employment history, and criminal record checks to meet government security standards. An Occupational Health Questionnaire will also be required to ensure we can offer appropriate support for your wellbeing and performance.
About Us
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure, and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation, and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans, and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
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