At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety and assurance initiatives across the railway business, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
- Company: Join CrossCountry Trains, a leader in the rail industry committed to safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety standards and drive change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in rail safety and risk management; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Purpose of Job
To lead and embed a proactive safety, assurance, and risk management culture across all operational and infrastructure functions within the railway business. The role provides strategic direction, oversight, and continuous improvement for health and safety, operational assurance, and compliance with regulatory and industry standards.
Principal Accountabilities
- Professional Head of Occupational safety.
- Develop and deliver the organisation's Safety and Assurance Strategy in alignment with corporate goals and industry best practices.
- Lead enterprise-wide risk assessments and ensure effective mitigation planning is embedded at all operational levels.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving innovation in safety technology and assurance processes.
- Ensure full compliance with UK rail safety regulations including ROGS, ORR, and relevant ISO standards.
- Act as the Principal Duty Holder or Competent Person under rail legislation as appropriate.
- Lead investigations into safety-related incidents, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions are effectively implemented.
- Establish assurance frameworks for fleet, infrastructure, control centres, and frontline operations.
- Oversee safety certification and auditing programs, including SMS (Safety Management System) implementation and assessment.
- Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to ensure safety is embedded in all activities.
- Liaise with industry regulators (ORR, RSSB), unions, and safety boards, ensuring transparent communication and representation.
- Prepare and present safety performance reports, including risk trends, leading indicators, and audit outcomes, to executive and board-level stakeholders.
- Drive employee engagement in safety initiatives across all levels of the business.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Safety and Assurance team, fostering accountability, capability growth, and succession planning.
- Mentor managers and staff on risk awareness, behavioural safety, and compliance culture.
- Accountable for the cyber security of all fleet and on-board digital systems (including TMS, PIS, CCTV, DAS and passenger-facing platforms), ensuring robust governance covering system-level risk assessment, assurance, and compliance with railway, safety and information security standards (including NIS Regulations, CAF, RSSB standards and internal policies).
- Provide strategic oversight of vulnerability management, penetration testing, secure design and engineering change assurance, and the effective management of third-party and OEM cyber risks, working in collaboration with the Corporate IT function to ensure alignment to enterprise cyber policies, governance frameworks and strategic objectives.
- On Call requirement as and when the business needs.
Experience, Knowledge, Qualifications & Training
- Proven leadership experience in rail safety, assurance, or risk management.
- In-depth knowledge of rail industry legislation, standards, and governance frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and operational execution.
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Chartered membership of IOSH, IRM or similar is desirable.
- Experience in digital transformation or data-led safety innovation.
- Familiarity with ERTMS, fleet risk planning, and infrastructure projects.
- Skilled in change management and performance improvement in regulated environments.
- Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety.
Diversity & Inclusion
At CrossCountry, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion isn’t just part of our strategy — it’s central to our success. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to be their best.
Head of Safety and Assurance in Birmingham employer: Arrivatc
At CrossCountry, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Birmingham Head Office where safety and assurance are at the forefront of our operations. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous professional development opportunities, a culture that champions innovation in safety practices, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us to lead transformative safety initiatives within the railway industry and make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive and collaborative workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safety and Assurance in Birmingham
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Arrivatc looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safety and Assurance in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Arrivatc. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrivatc
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Arrivatc’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
