Train Service Manager

This advert is to build a talent pool for future vacancies. We cannot guarantee the timeframe for recruitment of this position.

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

Work as part of the Service Delivery team to deliver a reliable train plan, to meet the differing needs of rail industry customers and stakeholders. Develop and maintain relationships with train operators and other key industry partners.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• As part of the service delivery team deliver a safe, efficient and optimal daily train plan for all operators and their customers during both normal train running and disruptive events.
• Manage the performance of the daily train plan for your Train Service Manager's position, communicating with all operating locations and train operators to ensure that early interventions are being made to minimise overall customer disruption.
• When required, develop and implement the train service recovery plans to restore the network to right time running as soon as practicable for your TSM position.
• Work closely with the Incident Management team, and Train Running Controller especially during times of disruption, to implement the train service contingency arrangements. Taking into account the key mile stones and forward plan for the reinstatement of the daily train plan.
• Deliver effective communications in relation to all aspects of the train service during normal and disrupted operations.
• Maintain daily record of all train running information and events, using the available systems.
• Manage the current operation of the train service for the respective geographical area to ensure rolling stock and train crew resources are effectively deployed to deliver the train plan.
• Apply the relevant service recovery plans as required during times of perturbation

As a minimum, you will need to have:

Essential

• Experience of working within a highly pressurised operations environment.
• Experience of strategic decision-making.
• Good negotiating skills and ability to make objective decisions.
• Able to manage conflict, influence others and work under pressure.
• A thorough understanding of train planning principles and timetable composition.
• Good geographical knowledge of applicable route and wider network.
• Must have previous railway and control centre experience.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within a safety critical communications environment.
• Awareness/knowledge of Network Rail and Train Operating Companies across the network and the key aspects of their business.
• Awareness of railway industry operational rules and regulations.
• Awareness/knowledge of railway systems applicable to train service delivery.
• Good understanding of commercial issues and customer flows on SWR & neighbouring routes.

 Applicants requiring a visa must have at least 6 months remaining at the start of employment.

Working pattern

Average of 37 hours per week working a mixture of early, late and night shifts.

0645-1500
1445-2230
2200-0700
0700-1900
1900-0700

Inclusive of bank holidays and weekend working. 

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity