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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rail compliance, manage audits, and ensure adherence to safety standards.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking rail company with a focus on trust and accountability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, learning support, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Take ownership in a senior role with real impact and minimal micromanagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in rail compliance and strong knowledge of RISQS and Sentinel standards.
- Other info: Modern office environment with great career progression and team events.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 ÂŁ per year.
Optime Group are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Sentinel Manager / Rail Compliance Lead to take full ownership of the rail compliance function within their Rail Division. This is a senior, trusted compliance role with genuine autonomy, responsible for maintaining an audit-ready rail operation, leading the annual RISQS audit, and ensuring full compliance with Network Rail, Sentinel, and client standards year-round.
The role has become available following a recent resignation and is viewed as a key hire, with the business keen to appoint someone who can confidently take ownership and “just get on with the job”.
The Role
Reporting to the Operations Director and working closely with the Compliance Director, you will act as the subject matter expert across:
- Sentinel & RISQS
- Fatigue management
- Medicals
- Drugs & Alcohol compliance
This is a hands-off, non-micromanaged environment, designed for an experienced rail compliance professional who values trust, accountability, and balance. The role is based in Gloucestershire, from a modern business park location, with flexibility built in:
- Typically 1–2 days per week office-based
- The remainder flexible depending on workload
- Occasional travel only to rail sites (not routine)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and successfully deliver the annual RISQS audit, maintaining a robust and up-to-date audit evidence library
- Own and maintain the Rail Compliance Matrix and Sentinel dashboards
- Manage all Sentinel sponsorship activities, including Primary Sponsorship, Sub-Sponsorship (in/out), and De-Sponsorship
- Ensure all pre-sponsorship checks and competence validations are completed correctly
- Maintain the Rail Training Matrix, tracking competence profiles, expiries, and gaps
- Produce clear compliance and audit reporting packs for senior stakeholders
- Manage operative medical and Drugs & Alcohol compliance, including random and for-cause testing
- Oversee Fatigue360, ensuring training, planned hours, actuals, and fatigue controls remain compliant
- Complete fatigue assessments and plans where operational changes occur
- Maintain rail equipment registers and support internal rail audits and NCR close-outs
- Coordinate rail governance and communications, including monthly rail review meetings, Rail TBT programmes, Network Rail safety bulletins and briefings, RISQS portal monitoring, CIRAS membership and engagement
Why this role appeals to experienced Sentinel professionals
- Senior, trusted role with real ownership
- Flexible working pattern (office / hybrid balance)
- Occasional travel only, not constant site hopping
- Modern office environment with allocated parking
- Direct access to decision-makers
- Clear expectations, no bureaucracy, no micromanagement
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The client is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of society. Reasonable adjustments or additional arrangements can be discussed at any stage of the recruitment process.
How to Apply
If you’re an experienced rail compliance professional looking for a senior role that offers responsibility without burnout, please submit your CV to apply. Alternatively, you may email for a confidential discussion.
Requirements
- Proven experience in a Sentinel Coordinator / Rail Compliance / Rail Compliance Manager role
- Demonstrable experience leading or heavily supporting successful RISQS audits
- Strong working knowledge of Network Rail standards and requirements, RISQS audit protocols, Sentinel Scheme Rules
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Confident communicator, able to challenge and elevate where compliance is at risk
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum
- Free on-site parking
- Learning & development funding and support
- Mentorship and progression opportunities
- Private healthcare following successful probation
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Work socials and team events
- Corporate lake membership for swimming
Rail Compliance Manager (Sentinel & RISQS) in South Cerney employer: Optime Group
Contact Detail:
Optime Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rail Compliance Manager (Sentinel & RISQS) in South Cerney
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local rail events. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its compliance practices. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their operations and ready to take ownership of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to compliance and audits. We want you to feel confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Rail Compliance Manager (Sentinel & RISQS) in South Cerney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Rail Compliance Manager role. Highlight your experience with Sentinel and RISQS, and don’t forget to showcase your audit management skills. We want to see how you can take ownership and get the job done!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this senior role. Share specific examples of your past successes in compliance and how you’ve led audits. We love a good story that shows your expertise!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Rail Compliance Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. In your application, highlight instances where you've successfully communicated complex compliance issues or led meetings. We value confident communicators who can elevate compliance standards!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just upload your CV and cover letter, and you’re good to go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optime Group
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Sentinel and RISQS protocols. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led audits in the past and what strategies you used to maintain compliance. This role is all about ownership, so show them you know your stuff!
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this position requires excellent attention to detail, prepare examples that highlight your organisational skills. Talk about how you've managed compliance matrices or audit evidence libraries in previous roles. They want to see that you can keep everything in check!
✨Communicate Confidently
As a Rail Compliance Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about times when you had to challenge compliance issues and how you handled those conversations.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Autonomy
This role offers a hands-off environment, so be prepared to discuss how you thrive in situations where you're trusted to get on with the job. Share examples of how you've successfully managed your workload independently while still meeting compliance standards.