Our Driver Managers (DM’s) lead a dedicated team of train drivers and ensure operational safety whilst contributing to improving train performance and achieving customer satisfaction targets. Confident in making decisions and influencing business initiatives, Driver Managers use their own driving experience to help develop the skills of others.
Key leadership skills and what that really looks like:
Leading others to deliver results may include managing and directing others through confident and assertive behaviour. Influencing and persuading people to take action. Effective communication through verbal, face to face or written methods. Achieve standards and safe performance through a low threat, high target approach.
People skills that build positive relationships and successful teams by using personal emotional intelligence, empathy and understanding. Our leaders are good at motivating others. They can demonstrate independence and fairness when dealing with difficult situations, particularly when questioning drivers to establish facts and evidence during an investigation. It’s essential that drivers are nurtured and cared for. There needs to be proper consideration for the driver’s welfare to help them.
Thinking skills for effective problem-solving decision making, and planning. Managers are able to prepare and implement effective plans, using analytical skills to make informed decisions. They are flexible and can prioritise effectively as the job needs change. You need to be flexible and adaptable without being wedded to your day’s tick list. You could be implementing rules and procedures, doing a driver’s development plan, or admin for a return to work after long-term sickness. Then there’s a safety incident. That takes priority and everything else goes on hold.
Strong customer focus DMs have a strong customer focus with external and internal customers.
Driving improvements An important factor is driving improvements in yourself and others, particularly in relation to competence and performance. Making standards match and work the same for each and every driver in the team is a challenge. As a manager, you need to be able to translate them to fit the scenario and the person – that takes a lot of competence, skill, and a gentle touch to deliver a front-line change.
Team Working. Effective team management within an office setting is crucial, especially for Driver Managers who are both responsible for coordinating a team and part of a team. A manager who actively engages in teamwork and assists their colleagues can significantly enhance team dynamics and productivity.
This post is accountable to the Driver Depot Manager for all line management requirements, to the Driver Operations Manager for operational competencies and Lead Driver Manager for role specific managerial requirements.
Key Accountabilities
* Ensure the c2c Rail Safety Manual standards are effectively implemented across all areas of operations.
* You must be prepared to undergo vocational competence and medical/fitness assessments as directed.
* Manage your team’s competence management as per company defined CMS standards and procedures.
* Complete HR procedures as required: These include disciplinary, management for attendance, flexible working procedures, welfare checks and interviews, among others.
* Route and Traction certification and re-certification.
* Performing safety checks as mandated within the c2c Safety Manual or as required by the department head. (Including out of hours checks, covert checks, speed checks, comms checks).
* Complete investigation of all operating Incidents and irregularities to identify cause. Compile reports and recommendations.
* Create and implement development plans for operational and occupational requirements as needed by the team.
* Complete and lead safety inspections as requested. This includes joint inspections with other departments and staff representatives.
* Manage the distribution and recording of all mandated publications as required for your team, ensuring publications are kept updated for you and your team.
* Assist in the recruitment and selection of drivers and shunter drivers as required for selection and recruitment.
* Coordinate and deliver training as necessary.
* Drive trains as required to protect and deliver c2c train service delivery plans. This may be at short notice and at unsociable hours.
* You must carry out emergency procedures when required and report any unusual occurrences or unsafe practices.
* As railway managers you may be asked to carry out other responsibilities within your area of competence when required.
* Support the business as required by having presence at key locations during peak hours, major events or disruption.
* This position is flexi-time to ensure the business needs are met. You may be directed to work as required by the Driver Depot Manager. It is expected that the driver managers work requirement is across the full 24 hours in order to meet their obligations of managing a team of drivers.
* Any other duties as directed by the Driver Depot Manager.
* Responsibility for managing any “Not to Work” for respective mainline drivers, depot drivers and shunt drivers.
* Represent driver operations within departmental and any industry external meetings as required.
* Compile and complete risk assessments as required in line with the company’s risk management standards.
* Contribute towards any safety validation requirements related to the operational department’s requirements.
* There is an On Call commitment responsibility attached to this post, including first line operations.
* Ensure retention of personal train driving competency (All Routes).
Essential Experience
4 years train driving competency (Passenger MU’s) with a satisfactory safety record. (No serious operational incidents in the past 3 years, or Cat A SPADs in the past 5 years).
(Applicants who do not meet this required standard will be screened out of consideration)
Non-Technical Skills (NTS) understanding and awareness
Computer literate Microsoft suite Digital Competence Management software
Train Operators Local Operations (TOLO) understanding
Desirable Experience
Post Incident Assessments and Investigation experience
Assessor Qualification D1 or equivalent (or be happy to work towards)
Driver instructor, or mentor
Roles are only open to mainline driver grades, and will be based in Shoeburyness or East Ham.