Depot Manager - London Trams

Key Information

• Contract type: Permanent
• Reference: 4450
• Location: London Trams, Therapia Lane Depot/Hybrid

Overview of project/role

The Depot Manager is responsible for the transition to energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, sustainable infrastructure and operational effectiveness of the London Trams (LT) depot and estate. This includes strategic and day-to-day oversight of TfL’s first net-zero depot, asset management planning, facilities maintenance, fixed and mobile plant and equipment. The role will be accountable for ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards to ensure optimal depot functionality to support the attainment of wider business performance goals, profitability and delivery of asset strategies. As a people leader this role will effectively lead and develop a team through clear direction, performance management, coaching and ongoing professional development. The role will engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders to actively influence and drive procedural and performance improvements to meet business needs.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and implement the depot’s long-term carbon reduction strategies, for plant and facilities that aligns with broader organisational Net Zero targets and regulatory compliant standards (e.g. ISO and PAC2035) identifying asset lifecycles that require contracted services, strategic investment planning, initiation of capital improvement programmes and projects.
• Create sustainability and energy renewal policies and operating procedures building decarb knowledge capability and competence for all depot users and optimises maintenance of depot assets embedding low carbon practices.
• Oversee the delivery of all facilities management (FM) services across the depot and associated sites and head offices ensuring schedules and controls are effective for the overall upkeep covering waste management, security, mechanical & electrical (M&E) systems, grounds maintenance, and the buildings fabric.
• Manage the depot’s fixed and mobile plant and equipment, ensuring all assets are maintained to required safety and performance standards, tracked via the Asset Maintenance Systems and remains operable and reliable for use by fleet maintainers and approved operatives.
• Facilitate effective planning and manage changes ensuring the interfaces and integration between infrastructure maintenance activities, shared workspaces, special project works and premises that fall within the depot boundary are undertaken safely and with minimal disruption to depot operations.
• Manage the performance and delivery of external contractors and third-party suppliers, ensuring contractual requirements are met and TfL receives value for money.
• Source and contract new maintenance arrangements particularly of new assets i.e., solar panels, heat pumps, LED lighting and infrared technology.
• Site lead for emergency planning, business continuity, and incident response coordination to support disaster recovery, reporting on root cause, presenting viable recommendations where appropriate to inform LT senior management decision-making.
• Ensure the effective operation, safety, and future readiness of the London Trams depot. It’s a critical role given the depot’s age, increasing operational complexity, and the significant transformation required to support the introduction of the new tram fleet, including future premises expansion.
• Invest in strengthening leadership capacity, improving operational resilience, supporting the Fleet Manager with depot strategies (maintenance, procurement & financial) and ensuring the depot is fit-for-purpose to support both the aging Infrastructure, fleet and the introduction of new trams.

Skills

• Budget management and cost control - Essential
• Strategic planning capabilities - Essential
• Developing and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships - Essential
• Excellent communication, data analysis, and the ability to influence stakeholders with effective interpersonal skills to manage multidisciplinary teams - Essential
• Strong skills in project lifecycles, from design to completion – Desirable

Knowledge

• Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent retrofit experience - Essential
• Understanding of low-carbon technologies, renewable energy systems, and energy-efficient building standards - Essential
• Strong knowledge of hard (e.g. M&E systems) and soft facilities management services - Essential
• Understanding of condition monitoring, defect management and asset life cycle principles - Essential
• Understanding of planned and corrective maintenance regimes required for rail depots - Essential
• Knowledge of rolling stock operations and maintenance and how this impacts the depot environment - Desirable
• IOSH or NEBOSH certification - Desirable

Experience

• Proven experience managing complex maintenance depots or facilities in the rail, transport, or industrial sectors - Essential
• Previous experience in sustainability, energy management of decarbonisation within an operational environment - Desirable
• Experience managing fixed/mobile plant and equipment in an operational environment - Essential
• Contract and supplier management experience, including multi-site FM contracts - Essential
• Proven leadership skills, in managing direct reports influencing high performance and continuous improvement - Essential
• Experience with Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) and asset management systems - Desirable

Application Process

Please apply using a maximum 2 page CV and a cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role. PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Benefits

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.

Vetting Process

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.