Arriva Road Transport Services
Safety, Quality Assurance & Performance Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Safety, Quality Assurance & Performance Manager
Location: Derby (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Permanent
Company: Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS)
Who We Are
Are you passionate about driving quality, compliance and continuous improvement? Do you have the experience and leadership skills to help us deliver a game-changing 5-star service for our customers?
If you're looking for a role where you can influence business performance, shape operational standards and make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.
At Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS), we exist to prove that alternative transport can be better than the journey it replaces. Every year, we deliver over 80,000 rail replacement journeys, facilitate more than 20,000 train crew taxi journeys, and provide dedicated frontline support to customers across the UK.
As we continue to grow, we're looking for a Safety, Quality Assurance & Performance Manager to lead our quality, compliance and assurance agenda, ensuring the highest standards of governance, operational performance and continuous improvement across the business.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Safety – Rail Services, with a matrix reporting line into the Head of Operations, you'll be responsible for leading ARTS' quality assurance, compliance, audit and performance functions.
This is a highly visible leadership role that combines quality management, regulatory compliance, operational assurance and performance improvement. You will play a key role in ensuring ARTS remains audit-ready, compliant and focused on delivering exceptional service for customers and stakeholders.
What You'll Be Doing
Quality Assurance & Management Systems
- Own and continuously improve the organisation's ISO management systems, including ISO 9001
- Ensure quality systems remain embedded within operational delivery and aligned to business objectives
- Maintain effective document control processes and governance standards
- Lead internal audits, external certification audits and surveillance audits
- Manage non-conformances, corrective actions and preventative actions to completion
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Audit & Regulatory Compliance
- Develop and deliver an organisation-wide audit and assurance programme
- Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory and external audits
- Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory and operational obligations
- Provide assurance across suppliers, operational functions and key stakeholders
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- Create, review and report on KPI and SLA performance across the business
- Identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
- Lead investigations into performance issues and implement sustainable corrective actions
- Provide meaningful insight and reporting to senior leadership teams
- Develop and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence
Governance, Risk & Data Protection
- Support governance frameworks and assurance processes across ARTS
- Act as the lead Data Protection Officer for the business
- Support wider compliance, risk and assurance activities
- Ensure policies, procedures and controls are applied consistently across the organisation
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, coach and develop team members where required
- Provide guidance to operational managers on quality and compliance requirements
- Build strong relationships across the business to drive standards and accountability
- Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to support continual improvement and assurance activities


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a quality assurance, compliance, audit or performance management role
- Experience managing ISO management systems, particularly ISO 9001
- Strong experience leading internal and external audits
- A track record of managing KPI and SLA performance and driving improvement
- Strong analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing capabilities
- The ability to translate data, audit findings and performance trends into meaningful business improvements
- Strong communication and leadership skills
Desirable Experience
- Experience within transport, rail, logistics or another regulated industry
- Knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or other management system standards
- Experience working with regulatory bodies and client compliance frameworks
- NEBOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification
Why Join Arriva Road Transport Services?
At ARTS, you'll join an ambitious and growing business where quality, compliance and operational excellence are central to everything we do.
We offer:
- Competitive salary
- Hybrid working
- Free travel on Arriva branded rail services across the country
- Arriva Village employee discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour confidential support
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
Ready to Lead Quality, Assurance & Performance Excellence?
If you're looking for an opportunity to shape standards, drive continuous improvement and play a key role in the future success of ARTS, we'd love to hear from you.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location