At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety and competence management in the rail industry, ensuring high standards and compliance.
- Company: Join First Rail Consultancy, a leader in railway operations and safety assurance.
- Benefits: Earn up to £75k, enjoy 25 days holiday, and access shopping discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in rail safety while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Internal Quality Assurance professional with rail industry experience.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
What is the role?
As a key member of the newly established Safety Function within the Railway Operations team at First Rail Consultancy, you will play a pivotal role in building our market presence and expanding our safety and operational assurance offering across the rail industry.
This high‑profile position combines technical expertise with business development, enabling the consultancy to strengthen existing client relationships, develop new markets, and establish a reputation as a trusted provider of safety and competence management services.
You will provide independent competence management, assurance and safety advisory services to a diverse range of clients, supporting them in delivering safe, compliant and high‑performing railway operations.
The role will be responsible for designing, developing and implementing competency management frameworks that align with industry standards, regulatory requirements and operational best practice.
Working closely with clients, you will lead the development and deployment of systems and processes for the recording, monitoring, assessment and management of competence, ensuring organisations have robust arrangements in place to support safe operations and continuous improvement.
You will provide expert guidance across a range of operational, safety and assurance activities, helping clients address challenges, mitigate risk and achieve sustainable positive outcomes.
In addition to delivering technical excellence, you will actively contribute to the growth of the consultancy by identifying opportunities to expand services, develop innovative solutions and generate new revenue streams.
You will build strong relationships with current and prospective clients, support bid and proposal development activities and represent First Rail Consultancy at industry events, forums and client engagements to raise the profile of our safety and operational capabilities.
The role will also work collaboratively with our affiliate companies and wider group businesses to develop integrated service offerings, share expertise and create new opportunities for growth across the rail sector.
Through your leadership, industry knowledge and professional credibility, you will help position First Rail Consultancy as a recognised leader in railway operations, competence management and safety assurance.
Note that this role is a 12‑month Fixed Term Contract, with progression onto a permanent contract subject to meeting criteria on utilisation and revenue generation.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety, Competence and Assurance Delivery
- Lead the development, implementation and continual improvement of competence management frameworks, standards and assurance arrangements for clients operating within the rail and transport sectors.
- Provide independent expert advice and guidance on competence management, operational safety, assurance, human factors and regulatory compliance.
- Undertake audits, assessments, reviews and assurance activities to evaluate the effectiveness of competency and safety management systems.
- Develop and implement competency assessment, training and development frameworks that support safe, compliant and high‑performing railway operations.
- Support clients in the development and deployment of digital systems and processes for recording, managing and monitoring competence.
- Produce high‑quality reports, recommendations and improvement plans that provide practical, evidence‑based solutions to client challenges.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation, Rail Industry Standards, ORR guidance, RSSB standards and industry best practice, ensuring advice remains current and relevant.
- Client Engagement and Consultancy Delivery
- Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, acting as a recognised subject matter expert in operational competence and safety assurance.
- Lead and support the delivery of consultancy commissions, ensuring projects are delivered safely, effectively, on time and within budget.
- Work collaboratively with clients to identify organisational challenges, operational risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Provide strategic and operational advice across a broad range of railway operations, safety, competence and assurance activities.
- Support clients in preparing for regulatory inspections, audits and accreditation activities.
- Business Development and Revenue Growth
- Identify, develop and convert opportunities to expand First Rail Consultancy's safety and operational assurance services.
- Support the preparation of bids, proposals, tenders and client presentations that demonstrate the consultancy's capability and value proposition.
- Develop new service offerings, products and solutions that respond to emerging client needs and industry challenges.
- Contribute to achieving revenue, utilisation and growth targets for the Railway Operations and Safety Function.
- Collaborate with colleagues across First Rail Consultancy and affiliate companies to develop integrated solutions and maximise commercial opportunities.
- Market Presence and Thought Leadership
- Represent First Rail Consultancy at industry events, conferences, working groups and professional forums.
- Develop technical papers, articles, presentations and thought leadership material that promotes the consultancy's expertise and market reputation.
- Support the development of strategic partnerships with industry bodies, clients and supply chain organisations.
- Help establish First Rail Consultancy as a recognised leader in railway operations, competence management and safety assurance.
- Promote innovation and continuous improvement in safety, competence management and operational performance across the rail sector.
- Leadership and Team Development
- Support the growth and maturity of the newly established Safety Function through the development of processes, methodologies and best practice.
- Mentor and support colleagues across the consultancy, sharing knowledge and developing capability within the wider team.
- Foster a culture of safety, professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to business planning activities and the long‑term development of the Railway Operations and Safety practice.
Who are we looking for?
The successful applicant for the role will be an experienced and qualified Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) professional with experience in a rail operating environment, and with an established profile within the rail industry.
Skills, Experience and role responsibilities include
- Qualified Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) professional
- Comprehensive knowledge of train working techniques rules instructions and Railway Group and Company Safety Standards
- Knowledge of rules and regulations and regulatory bodies such as Rail and Other Guided Systems (ROGS)
- IOSH Managing Safety
- NEBOSH Level 3 or equivalent
- Risk Based Training Needs Assessment (RBTNA)
- Development of competence frameworks
- Development and deployment of systems for recording and management of competence
- IQA
- Standardisation
- Audit, inspection and assurance across safety, operations and engineering environments
- Support for due diligence activity
- Business Development
What can we offer you?
- Salary of up to £75k per annum dependant on experience
- Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
- 25 days holiday plus national bank holidays
- Travel offers for Bus and Rail
- Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a charity of your choice
- Shopping discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
- All employee Share Schemes
- Buy as You Earn share scheme
- Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
- *After 6 months employment
First Group plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.
We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people.
Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer base.
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Principal Consultant - Assurance and Competency Specialist employer: First Bus
First Bus is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee health and well-being. With comprehensive benefits such as mental health support and discounted travel, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. The Norwich & Kings Lynn depots provide unique opportunities for growth and development within a dynamic team environment, making it a rewarding place to build a career in operations management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Consultant - Assurance and Competency Specialist
✨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 First Bus looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Consultant - Assurance and Competency Specialist
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 First Bus. 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 First Bus
✨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 First Bus’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
