Regional Operations Manager - Metro

Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight. Join our team and help us continue to improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

Reporting to the Regional Manager, this role will take responsibility for ensuring all day to day station operations are delivered to the highest possible standards. This role has the responsibility for ensuring that the regional performance and safety plans are in place and that key milestones are being met, holding peers and others to account for delivery timescales. The post holder will take ownership of colleague rostering for the region, ensuring deployment is optimal and meets the needs of the region under the 5 business goals of Customer, Colleague, Commercial, Safety and Performance. The role holder will use data and company tools to identify local operational areas requiring improvement and work closely with other teams and individuals to propose and work jointly on solutions. The role is responsible for all contingency planning for the region and will work closely with the functional Operations Manager to support the overall functional Operations Strategy. The role will provide overall business support to the local Regional Manager including budget management and will form part of an on call roster.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Planning
  • Looks ahead and plans operational tasks for the year at a regional level, taking into account risks and opportunities.
  • Supports the Regional Manager in budget planning and forecasting.
  • Supports regional team to create clear implementation plans for functional operational projects and workstreams and ensures these are delivered on time.
  • Identifies risk and takes an active role in safety validation for local projects (including temporary arrangements required during station improvement work).
• KPIs and Compliance
  • Reviews and holds others to account for compliance led activities.
  • Supports local Station Managers to ensure local compliance against company standards.
  • Owns regional plans to improve safety and performance, reporting progress against key milestones.
  • Takes local ownership of regional performance and safety targets and ensures robust communication regarding these, taking action where KPIs are adverse to budget.
• Efficiency and Process
  • Line manages the Regional Support Clerk team, ensuring they are aware of regional requirements and priorities and are working to maximum efficiency.
  • Is aware of budget opportunities and seeks to maximise benefits from these.
  • Is aware of budget limitations and seeks opportunities to drive efficiencies against all controllable costs.
  • Leads manpower planning for the region, ensuring recruitment is timely and efficient and that attendance is being well managed.
  • Reviews and adapts local processes to ensure they are efficient and meet the needs of all associated stakeholders.
  • Coaches and supports the regional team to find improved ways of delivering locally that better meet functional objectives.
  • Puts in place and maintains robust local contingency plans.
• Leadership and Delivery
  • Presents and communicates operational data to the regional team and other stakeholders as required.
  • Provides local operational support and advice to internal stakeholders.
  • Holds peers to account for local operational performance.
  • Works with neighbouring regions to identify and share best practice and identify joint working opportunities.
  • Seeks opportunities to improve our operational culture where safety initiatives also drive performance.
  • Delivers required operational tasks on behalf of the Regional Manager and represents them when required.

As a minimum, you will need to have:

• Good standard of education with demonstrated numeracy skills.
• Relevant experience in an operational role.
• Strong IT skills and ability to learn systems and programmes.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and successfully adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Must have ability to work with data and use it to create clear plans.
• Evidence of strong planning and organisational skills.
• Has the ability to lead, motivate and influence others and improve culture.
• Broad railway operational knowledge is preferred but not essential.

Working Pattern

Working an average of 18.50 hours per week over 3 days. Working 10 working days over 4 weeks working an average of 74hrs a period. Week 1 - 3 days, Week 2 – 2 days, Week 3 – 3 days, Week 4 – 2 days.

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees.
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent).
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies.
• Full training and support with development.
• Excellent pension scheme.

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.