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Graduate Future Operations Management - Assistant Operations Manager
Company
COLAS RAIL UK
Job Location
RUGBY, GBR
Type of Contract
Permanent
Posting Start Date
01/07/2026
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.
Job Description
Purpose of the Role
- Develop leadership skills across people management, operations, and commercial performance
- Work in a collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas are valued
- Gain exposure and contribute to cutting-edge innovation and continuous improvement initiatives from front line safety to environmental sustainability.
- You will be at the forefront of ensuring that your team delivers safely, and you will have a part to play in the safety of passengers, staff and the public.
- We want you to join us in our daily commitment and continuous drive to improving safety across our business, and you will be empowered to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can achieve this.
- We are also focused on ensuring our work leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world around us, so having an eye for how we can innovate and be creative is critical.
- Assist the Operations Manager in leading and delivering safely, on time and within budget.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with clients and stakeholders.
- Uphold and champion best in class safety practices during all operational activities, and ensure any non-compliances are reported to allow continuous improvement.
- Help manage risk, change, and performance using robust project controls.
- Work closely with colleagues, subcontractors, and partners to deliver high-quality outcomes
- Strong communication and teamwork will be central to your success. You'll be encouraged to share ideas, solve problems collaboratively, and build a strong professional network.
- Attend all the relevant Graduate Development Training for your pathway, ensuring the learning gets delivered in the workplace.
- Complete the Business Project when requested.
- As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
- Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
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Key Responsibilities
- Develop leadership skills across people management, operations, and commercial performance
- Work in a collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas are valued
- Gain exposure and contribute to cutting-edge innovation and continuous improvement initiatives from front line safety to environmental sustainability.
- You will be at the forefront of ensuring that your team delivers safely, and you will have a part to play in the safety of passengers, staff and the public.
- We want you to join us in our daily commitment and continuous drive to improving safety across our business, and you will be empowered to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can achieve this.
- We are also focused on ensuring our work leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world around us, so having an eye for how we can innovate and be creative is critical.
- Assist the Operations Manager in leading and delivering safely, on time and within budget.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with clients and stakeholders.
- Uphold and champion best in class safety practices during all operational activities, and ensure any non-compliances are reported to allow continuous improvement.
- Help manage risk, change, and performance using robust project controls.
- Work closely with colleagues, subcontractors, and partners to deliver high-quality outcomes
- Strong communication and teamwork will be central to your success. You'll be encouraged to share ideas, solve problems collaboratively, and build a strong professional network.
- Attend all the relevant Graduate Development Training for your pathway, ensuring the learning gets delivered in the workplace.
- Complete the Business Project when requested.
- As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
- Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
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Person Specification
The job holder will have:
- Minimum 2:2 degree from a university
- Show an enthusiasm and drive to be part of the Rail Industry and Colas Rail
- Willingness to work nights and weekends when required as part of operational delivery
- A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Resilience, adaptability, and the confidence to respond to change in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrate the Behaviours within our Leadership Essentials Framework
The role holder MUST be open to travelling UK wide as part of the role
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
- Occupational Health Service
This is an exciting opportunity to build a career in the rail industry. We'd particularly encourage applications from women, or those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
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.
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