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 with opportunities for professional growth and impact.
- Other info: Engage with industry leaders and drive continuous improvement in safety practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the rail industry by shaping safety strategies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in health & safety management with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
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
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
- 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)
- 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
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 employer: Arriva
At Grand Central, we prioritise safety and innovation, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about health and safety in the rail industry. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth, allowing you to engage with industry leaders while shaping safety strategies that have a real impact on our services. Join us in York, where your contributions will be valued in a supportive environment dedicated to continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safety & Assurance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local safety and rail events. Making connections can open doors that job applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Grand Central's safety initiatives. Show us you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to our safety culture and continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our needs. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven safety improvements in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Safety & Assurance Manager
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, and don’t forget to mention any specific qualifications like your NEBOSH Diploma. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
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 your experience aligns with our mission at Grand Central. Be sure to mention any leadership roles you've had and how you've driven improvements in safety culture.
Showcase Your Achievements:When filling out your application, don’t just list your duties—show us what you’ve achieved! Use specific examples of how you’ve managed safety risks or led successful audits. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva
✨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 in a safety-critical environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to influence and support operational teams, as this is crucial for the Safety & Assurance Manager role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement in previous roles. Think about specific initiatives you've implemented or changes you've made that enhanced safety management systems. This will resonate well with their focus on raising the bar in safety standards.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially around incident investigations and root cause analysis. Prepare to walk through a past incident you managed, detailing your approach to identifying hazards and implementing controls effectively.
