Service Delivery Management Graduate

We are Arriva CrossCountry, a train operating company owned by Arriva UK. Here at Arriva, we are well on our way to becoming the leading passenger transport partner across Europe, delivering more than 2.2 billion passenger journeys across 13 different European countries every year. We have a vision to help shape a future where passenger transport is the best choice, and we know our graduates will play a huge role in getting us to our destination.

The Programme

During your Graduate Scheme at CrossCountry, you will rotate through a range of placements within the Service Delivery team. The Service Delivery directorate is responsible for Performance & Planning, Industry projects, Control and Resources, Fleet and Engineering, Safety and the Regional Director structure/s. Working with a variety of individuals will allow you to grow your network ready to kickstart your career with us. Over the course of the Graduate Scheme, you will be involved in key business projects, giving you exposure to other areas of our business to further develop your skills and practical experiences to become a great Leader of the future. The structure of the programme allows you access to key development training, and allocated business mentors to support your personal development, and work towards your career goals. At the end of the Transport Management Graduate Scheme, the expectation would be that you have applied and started your first substantive role within the business.

You’ll get to see everything from:

• Development of our train plan, including the diagramming of units and traincrew.
• How we allocate Traincrew resource prior to the day of operation.
• How our Control team manage our train service 24/7, collaborating with Network Rail during times of perturbation ensuring that we maintain the optimum level of train service punctuality and reliability.
• How we work with internal and external stakeholders to improve Operational Performance.
• Aspects relating to train driving, the role of the guard and key aspects of safety.
• An understanding of the systems we use to plan, monitor and measure the train services that we operate.

Our development programme teaches you all the soft skills ready for leadership such as communication, and development of yourself and those around you. You will also complete the Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Apprenticeship, where you will gain an understanding of the Operations of a Transport Service.

The Benefits?

• A starting salary of £29,000 in Year 1 rising to £31,000 after your first 12 months on the scheme!
• Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager Apprenticeship
• Development days
• A dedicated mentor within the business
• Free rail travel on CrossCountry, Chiltern and Grand Central trains

What are we looking for?

Here at CrossCountry, we look for passionate, curious and forward-thinking graduates who can bring fresh new ideas into the business, and really help our teams grow. You’ll need:

• A minimum of a 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline
• Must already have graduated or be graduating in 2025
• To be ambitious - constantly question the norm and provide new ideas
• The flexibility to travel as we operate all over the UK!
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage and work with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels internally and externally within a diverse multi-cultural environment.
• As you will be working within the rail industry, you will be required to undertake a safety critical medical prior to joining.
• The right to work within the UK - Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any sponsorship.

What next?

It is necessary that you add a covering letter and your CV to the application. You should include within your application:

• What are your reasons for applying to CrossCountry?
• What can you bring to the CrossCountry Graduate Programme?
• How will your skills/ experience make you successful on this programme?

You may also add recommendation letters and other documents that you may consider relevant.

Application Process?

Applications will close on Sunday 16 February 2025. Assessment Centre will take place in Mid - March 2025. Start Date: Monday 1 September 2025.

We acknowledge the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents and cultures. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of our talent strategy.