At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health, safety, environment and security initiatives to ensure top-notch standards.
- Company: Join Grand Central Rail, a safety-first organisation connecting communities across the UK.
- Benefits: Collaborative team environment, impactful role, and opportunity to shape safety strategy.
- Other info: Engage with industry leaders and regulators for a safer rail network.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the rail industry while driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in health & safety management with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: York. Type: Full-time. On-call required.
About Grand Central
At Grand Central Rail, we connect communities with fast, reliable and high-quality rail services. As an open access operator, we pride ourselves on delivering a safe, customer‑focused and innovative service across the UK rail network. Safety is at the heart of everything we do—and we’re looking for a Safety & Assurance Manager to help us continually raise the bar.
The role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Safety team in a key leadership position. As Safety & Assurance Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading health, safety, environment and security across the business, ensuring we operate to the highest standards while driving continuous improvement. Working closely with the Head of Safety, you’ll play a pivotal role in embedding a strong safety culture, supporting operational teams, and ensuring compliance with all industry and regulatory requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the day‑to‑day management of Grand Central’s health, safety, environment and security arrangements
- Support and deputise for the Head of Safety
- Drive the development and continuous improvement of our Safety Management System (SMS)
- Manage safety risk processes, ensuring hazards are identified, assessed and controlled effectively
- Deliver and oversee internal audit and assurance programmes
- Lead incident and accident investigations, applying root cause analysis to prevent recurrence
- Analyse safety performance data, identifying trends and driving improvement actions
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, industry standards and regulatory requirements
- Act as Grand Central’s nominated security contact, liaising with organisations such as the DfT and British Transport Police
- Develop and maintain emergency, environmental and security plans
- Provide expert advice and coaching to managers across the business
- Collaborate with key industry bodies including ORR, RSSB and wider rail partners
- Support business change by ensuring robust safety validation and assurance
About You
We’re looking for a proactive and collaborative safety professional who can influence at all levels and drive meaningful improvement.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Significant experience in a health & safety management role (typically 5+ years)
- Strong knowledge of UK health & safety legislation and industry best practice
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent)
- Experience conducting audits (e.g. ISO9001)
- Proven experience in accident/incident investigation and root cause analysis
- Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to influence and support operational teams in a safety‑critical environment
Desirable
- Experience within the rail or wider transport sector
- Environmental management qualification
- Emergency planning or fire safety expertise
- Training or coaching qualification
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IRO)
Why join Grand Central?
- Be part of a safety‑first organisation where your impact truly matters
- Work within a supportive and collaborative team environment
- Engage with leading industry stakeholders and regulators
- Opportunity to shape safety strategy and influence continuous improvement
- Play a key role in delivering a safe and high‑quality service for our customers
Apply now
If you’re passionate about safety and want to make a real difference in the rail industry, we’d love to hear from you.
Safety & Assurance Manager in Wakefield employer: Arriva Group
At Grand Central Rail, we are committed to fostering a safety-first culture where your contributions can make a significant impact. Located in York, our collaborative work environment encourages professional growth and engagement with industry leaders, providing you with the opportunity to shape safety strategies and drive continuous improvement. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises safety and delivers high-quality rail services across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safety & Assurance Manager in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the rail industry, especially those connected to safety roles. Attend events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself—this could lead to insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK health & safety legislation. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied this in past roles. We want to see your passion for safety shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you’ve influenced teams or driven improvements in safety practices. We love candidates who can demonstrate their impact in a safety-critical environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Grand Central and being part of our safety-first culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Safety & Assurance Manager in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Safety & Assurance Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in health and safety management, especially any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Grand Central!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about safety and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive continuous improvement in safety practices.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you lead a successful safety initiative or improve compliance rates? We love to see quantifiable results that show how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Grand Central!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group
✨Know Your Safety Standards
Make sure you brush up on UK health and safety legislation and industry best practices. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re ready to lead and innovate in safety management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in a safety-critical environment. Think about times when you influenced change or improved safety culture. This will demonstrate your ability to support operational teams and drive meaningful improvements.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific safety incidents or compliance challenges. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, especially around incident investigations and root cause analysis. This will highlight your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research Grand Central Rail’s safety initiatives and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. Showing that you understand their commitment to safety and customer service will help you connect with the interviewers and position yourself as a great fit for their team.
