Contracts Operational Delivery Manager

The Contracts Operational Delivery Manager will lead the operational and commercial delivery of servicing contracts across multiple third-party rail maintenance providers. They will act as the primary interface between Arriva TrainCare and key stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient fleet maintenance.

Contract Management

• Operational Leadership
• Commercial Oversight
• Safety Compliance
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Rail Industry Knowledge
• Fleet Maintenance
• Audit Activity
• Performance Monitoring
• Negotiation
• Risk Management
• Project Coordination
• Analytical Skills
• Reporting
• Communication

Requirements

Candidates must possess an HND-level qualification or equivalent in a technical or management discipline and significant experience in contract or operational management. Strong commercial acumen, stakeholder engagement capabilities, and a full UK driving licence are essential for this role.

About Arriva TrainCare

Arriva TrainCare provides high-quality overhaul, maintenance and servicing solutions for passenger rolling stock, locomotives, freight wagons and track plant. Operating from six strategic locations across the UK, we play a critical role in maintaining the reliability and availability of fleets that keep the country moving.

The Role

Working directly for the Head of Depots, you'll be responsible for the operational delivery of contractual obligations relating to the servicing of the CrossCountry Voyager Fleet and Class 170 Fleet across several third-party maintenance facilities.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Contract & Operational Delivery

• Leading the delivery of servicing contracts across multiple third-party rail maintenance providers.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for CrossCountry Fleet Management.
• Coordinating with CrossCountry and Alstom maintenance planning teams, including short-term and long-term maintenance planning activities.
• Monitoring service performance and ensuring contractual obligations are achieved across all servicing locations.
• Reporting against service delivery, safety, quality and environmental KPIs.

Commercial & Customer Management

• Managing contract reviews and resolving operational and commercial issues through to completion.
• Supporting negotiation and management of supplier and third-party maintenance arrangements in partnership with Commercial and Procurement teams.
• Collating contractual documentation and performance information to support effective contract governance.
• Managing customer concerns, non-conformances, corrective actions and contract improvement initiatives.

Safety, Compliance & Assurance

• Ensuring all activities comply with Health & Safety legislation, Network Rail standards, rail industry regulations and Arriva TrainCare procedures.
• Leading or supporting accident and incident investigations and implementing improvement actions.
• Conducting scheduled and unannounced depot audits to verify compliance and operational standards.
• Verifying RAMS and ensuring maintenance providers adhere to agreed safe systems of work.
• Carrying out safety tours and assurance visits across operational locations.

Asset & Stakeholder Management

• Building effective working relationships with CrossCountry, Alstom, depot operators and internal Arriva TrainCare teams.
• Ensuring customer tooling, equipment and free-issue assets are effectively managed and maintained.
• Conducting stock and material audits where required.
• Driving continuous improvement and sharing operational best practice across locations.

About You

You'll be an experienced operational or contract management professional, ideally from a rail, engineering or maintenance environment, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, drive performance and ensure contractual commitments are delivered safely and effectively.

Essential

• HND-level qualification (or equivalent) in a technical or management discipline.
• Significant experience in contract, commercial or operational management.
• Experience managing engineering, maintenance or service delivery contracts.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities.
• Strong communication, reporting and analytical skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Rail industry experience.
• Audit qualification or auditing experience.
• Knowledge of rolling stock maintenance operations.
• Experience working within safety-critical environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SAP and Power BI.

This is more than a traditional contract management position. You'll be responsible for overseeing the delivery of servicing activities across a geographically dispersed network supporting one of the UK's largest regional train operators, working closely with CrossCountry, Alstom and multiple depot operators while influencing operational performance, commercial outcomes, safety assurance and long-term customer relationships.

If you're looking for a role where you can directly influence rail service delivery, build strategic customer relationships and lead operational excellence across multiple UK locations, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of the team keeping Britain's railway moving.