Route Operations Manager

York, GB

EJ NE Operations Director, Indirect G4

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you

To lead, direct and continuously develop the signalling operations organisations to meet defined safety, performance and financial objectives whilst balancing the interests of key customers and stakeholders for a specific area. Drive continual improvement in safety, business performance and efficiency.

Please be aware this role holds a mandatory requirement for the incumbent to hold valid security vetting clearance. Any offer will be conditional on the successful candidate obtaining clearance prior to a start date being agreed.

If you have lived outside of the UK in the last 3 years and have been invited to interview for this role, please notify us.

For further information including residency eligibility, please contact your recruiter for more details.

Key Accountabilities

1. Within the defined geographical area act as the senior point of contact and expert for Signalling Operations, directing involvement in and input to the business and industry procedures for operational standards and process change, to support the delivery of a positive safety culture.

2. Lead, develop and manage a team of highly qualified and experienced technical professionals, to support the delivery of the route and business objectives and provide direction, motivation and leadership to safety critical frontline employees and the supporting teams.

3. Develop and implement the overall governance and assurance framework to assure compliance with Company standards, legislation and Network Rail's Health & Safety Management System.

4. Manage operational and infrastructure incidents, creating a system for competent recording and demonstrate all incidents are dealt with at the appropriate level within the organisation through to resolution or mitigation.

5. Manage liaisons with Train and Freight Operating Companies during perturbed operations. Take an overview of train performance delays, checking that incidents are investigated and outcomes followed through in a competent and timely manner.

6. Develop and implement initiatives to deliver continuous improvement in safety, train performance, customer satisfaction and unit cost efficiencies.

7. Lead and direct the arrangements for the management and delivery of briefings and competence assessments. Responsible for having checks in place that demonstrate competence management across the area meets the requirements of company standards.

8. Act as the Designated Competent Person (DCP) for both formal and local investigations within span of control. Report on accidents/incidents and undertake investigations as required.

9. Develop, agree and deliver against an expenditure budget for the operations team and demonstrate 'value' through efficient working for all operational expenditure.

10. Develop and manage a robust resourcing plan which meets efficiency targets and provides competent, capable, trained and engaged employees.

Essential

• Able to demonstrate significant previous operational management delivery experience
• Proven track record of successfully managing people
• In depth knowledge of safety rules and regulations, qualified to level 1 Rules & Regulations
• Detailed understanding of the principles of health and safety legislation and best practice
• Able to demonstrate strong commercial and negotiating skills
• Significant experience of customer relationship management
• Detailed understanding of business process manual and commercial environment
• In depth knowledge of trade union bargaining arrangements and employees terms and conditions
• Able to demonstrate good interpersonal and relationship building skills, including ability to challenge
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy
• Able to demonstrate previous experience of providing development and technical leadership
• Qualified Rail Incident Officer (RIO) and Rail Incident Commander (RIC)
• Qualified assessor and verifier to agreed company standard
• Member of the Institute of Railway Operators

Desirable

• Understanding of the performance regime
• Commercially and politically astute

Salary: £85,395 - £101,323

Closing date: 25th November Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note interviews will take place on Friday 28th November 2025

Click apply now to apply.

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***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****