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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the Driver workforce, ensuring safety and performance standards.
- Company: Join a leading railway company committed to safety and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, a top pension scheme, private healthcare, and retail discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on train safety and service reliability while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in managing diverse teams and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values high performance and employee engagement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Head of Drivers to play a critical leadership role within our organisation, providing strategic direction, visibility and inspiration across the Driver function for London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway. This is a pivotal senior role responsible for leading the safe, effective and compliant operation of our Driver workforce. You will set the vision and standards for train safety, operational performance, service reliability and customer satisfaction, ensuring Drivers consistently meet all safety responsibilities and legal obligations in line with company policies, procedures and industry standards. You will hold full accountability for the employee relations strategy within the Driver function. Working within established consultation and negotiation frameworks, you will act as the primary interface with the Driver Trade Union ASLEF, chair Driver Company Council (DCC) meetings, and foster constructive, professional relationships that support high performance, engagement and a positive safety culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across the Driver function, setting clear standards for safety, performance and behaviour while coaching senior leaders and managers.
- Lead cultural and organisational change, creating a high‑performance environment where issues are addressed quickly and effectively.
- Develop and deliver a sustainable resourcing and deployment strategy for Drivers, overseeing recruitment and mitigating operational and performance risk.
- Drive continuous improvement in train safety, service reliability and customer satisfaction in collaboration with operational and on‑train stakeholders.
- Act as the principal interface with the Driver Trade Union, leading all employee relations activity and chairing Drivers Company Council meetings.
- Ensure full compliance with safety, operational and regulatory requirements, providing strategic oversight of performance management, talent development and succession planning, including Level 3 on‑call responsibility.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experienced, highly credible senior leader with strong people management and leadership skills, able to lead, develop and motivate teams to deliver results.
- Substantial management experience with a proven track record of leading diverse teams through change, managing performance and confidently addressing underperformance.
- Demonstrated ability to deploy strategic priorities while maintaining a strong customer focus, with a high level understanding of resourcing disciplines, systems and processes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships quickly across all levels of the organisation.
- In depth knowledge of Drivers terms and conditions and with ability to operate in a highly unionised environment (ASLEF) at every level, to deliver agreements while mitigating business risk.
- Strong knowledge of London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways operations, geography, safety and quality standards, combined with analytical and problem solving skills to develop practical, commercially sound people strategies, policies and processes.
Benefits
- Defined salary pension – one of the best pension schemes available
- Free travel on all our services, including spouse and dependent children
- 75% off all other train company travel tickets (1st Class and standard)
- Private Healthcare
- Retail discounts
Head of Drivers in Birmingham employer: West Midlands Trains
Contact Detail:
West Midlands Trains Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Drivers in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the company culture and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the key responsibilities of the Head of Drivers role. We should be ready to discuss how we can lead cultural change and improve safety standards, showing off our strategic thinking skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership style! During interviews, let’s share examples of how we've motivated teams and tackled underperformance. This will highlight our ability to drive results and foster a positive work environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in being part of the team at London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Drivers in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leadership and safety management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Drivers, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with teams and unions, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong communication and negotiation skills. Share examples of how you've successfully built relationships and led diverse teams in the past.
Highlight Your Strategic Vision: We’re looking for someone who can set clear standards and drive cultural change. Use your application to illustrate your strategic thinking and how you’ve implemented successful initiatives in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Midlands Trains
✨Know Your Safety Standards
As a Head of Drivers, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of train safety and operational performance. Brush up on the latest safety regulations and company policies, and be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance and promote a safety-first culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led diverse teams through change, addressed underperformance, and fostered a high-performance environment. Be ready to discuss your coaching style and how you inspire others.
✨Understand Union Dynamics
Since you'll be interfacing with the Driver Trade Union, it's crucial to understand their terms and conditions. Familiarise yourself with ASLEF's structure and priorities, and think about how you can build constructive relationships while mitigating business risks.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
You'll need to articulate your vision for the Driver function clearly. Think about your strategic priorities and how they align with customer satisfaction and operational performance. Be prepared to discuss your approach to resourcing and deployment strategies in detail.
