WM Trains
Operations Standards Manager
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Operations Standards Manager
Application Deadline: 28 August 2026
Department: Operations
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Head Office - Birmingham
Reporting To: Gary Warren
Compensation: Up to £92,000 depending on experience
Description
At London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, safety, operational excellence, and customer service are at the heart of everything we do. As our Operations Standards Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our operational activities are delivered safely, effectively, and in full compliance with railway legislation, industry standards, and company requirements.
Working across the business, you will lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of operational standards, policies, procedures, and publications. You will provide expert advice on operational safety matters, helping to embed best practice and drive continuous improvement while supporting a positive and inclusive safety culture.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with significant rail operations experience who is passionate about standards, safety, and making a meaningful impact on the performance and success of the railway.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, review and maintenance of operational standards, procedures, and working instructions across the business.
- Manage key operational publications, including train driving policies, company instructions, route guides, PTS handbooks, and other operational documentation.
- Ensure West Midlands Trains maintains effective, compliant, and business-integrated safety and operational management systems.
- Develop and implement company procedures in response to changes in railway standards and legislation.
- Provide expert operational safety advice and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation.
- Initiate and support briefing and training programmes relating to new or revised standards and procedures.
- Monitor and promote compliance with internal standards, Safety Critical Work Regulations, Railway Operational Standards, and other relevant legislation.
- Reduce operational incidents and accidents through the development of proactive safety strategies, lessons learned, and industry best practice.
- Oversee and support competence management arrangements for safety critical employees.
- Ensure the development, effectiveness, and quality assurance of operational assessors.
- Undertake quantitative risk assessments and support the management of operational risk.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of legislative and industry developments affecting operational and driving standards.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and undertake other duties appropriate to the role and grade.
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Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Substantial experience within a rail operations environment.
- Minimum of three years' train driving experience & Hold an ETDL with accompanying certificate.
- Experience conducting accident and incident investigations.
- Experience developing and implementing operational standards, procedures, and policies.
- Experience undertaking quantitative risk assessments.
- Strong understanding of railway operational safety requirements and relevant legislation.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Recognised verification or internal quality assurance qualification would be advantageous
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To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.
Benefits
- A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
- Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
- A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
- Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
- Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
- A retail discount portal - offering savings, discounts, and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.
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