Join to apply for the Safety Director role at First Rail
Reporting to: Managing Director, First Rail
Date: November 2025
Purpose & Objectives
* To lead the strategic development and operational delivery of safety and security management across all of FRH.
* The Safety Director oversees FRH's DfT and Rail Services businesses ensuring compliance with UK H&S / rail / security legislation.
* The Safety Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with UK H&S / rail / security legislation in Open Access.
* The Safety Director will promote and drive a proactive safety culture, safeguarding the wellbeing of passengers, colleagues, and the public with the business executive teams.
* Safety / security risk management using available tools and horizon scanning to ensure the business is aware of risks, and mitigations are in place.
* This role acts as the Safety Director for FRH's Open Access businesses.
* This role is pivotal in driving continuous improvement in safety and security performance and risk mitigation across our businesses.
Key Accountabilities
Safety Strategy & Leadership
* Oversee the development and implementation of the rail businesses safety and security strategies, providing advice, guidance and challenge where required.
* Implement proactive safety culture initiatives / campaigns covering key risk areas for operations, colleagues and customers, specifically within Open Access.
* Model visible safety and security leadership, engaging with colleagues across the business.
* Report safety performance, risks, and strategic priorities to the executive leadership team.
* Lead internal safety meetings as required, setting up short‑term working groups as the need arises.
* Participate in bid work, projects and the set up of new businesses (e.g., for open access, applying for a new Safety Certificate, leading the Safety Validation process).
* Engage with stakeholders both within FRH / FG and the wider industry such as RDG, RSSB and ORR.
Regulatory Compliance
* Assure the businesses are compliant with UK H&S and rail safety and security regulations (e.g., ORR, ROGs, RSSB standards).
* Maintain and update FRH's safety management systems, policies, procedures and legal register.
* Receive notifications of any accidents / incidents within FRH businesses and respond appropriately.
* Ensure external safety audits are undertaken as required.
* Provide assurance to the FRH executive team that actions are completed from investigations, audits etc. in a timely manner.
* Provide advice, guidance and challenge where required following significant incident/accident/near‑miss events.
* Work with the Compliance team to keep the FRH safety risk register current.
* Collaborate with HR to ensure suitable safety training is available, e.g., Strategic Safety Management, DSE, First Aid training, Emergency Response.
Performance Monitoring
* Monitor safety KPIs, trends, and report findings, reviewing directly with the businesses where required set against industry peers.
* Help the businesses set safety KPIs.
* Use data‑driven insights to inform safety improvements.
* Assess the safety culture of the businesses, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement.
* Provide reports for FRH and FG meetings (REMs, BRMs, RBCs, etc.).
* Perform deep dives into safety trends with the Strategic Safety Support Manager.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Liaise with regulatory authorities, emergency services, and industry partners.
* Represent the organisation in rail safety forums.
* Ensure safety and security are embedded within the business cross‑functionally.
* Engage with Rail Transportation Claims Ltd on rail accidents affecting FRH / FG as needed.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
* NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent safety qualification.
* Member of a relevant safety body (e.g., IOSH, IIRSM).
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
* Minimum three years in a senior safety‑related role.
* Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex safety legislation and guidance.
* Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
* Proven safety leadership abilities.
* High attention to detail.
* Experience in writing bids and applying for ORR safety certification is advantageous.
* Ability to assess how decisions impact the bigger picture and potential issues.
Direct Reports
* Strategic Safety Support Manager
* Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability, Open Access
* Head of Operational Safety, Open Access
Competency
Level (1‑3, with 3 being highest)
* Leadership/Management – 3
* Strategic Thinking – 3
* Impact and Influence – 3
* Creative and Analytical Thinking – 3
* Problem Solving and Decision‑Making Skills – 3
* Communication – 3
* Change & Adaptability/Flexibility – 3
* Building Partnerships & Customer Focus – 3
* Planning and Organising – 3
* Teamwork – 3
About First Rail Holdings
The First Rail team is one of the most experienced in the industry; we run every type of train service – long distance, regional, commuter and sleeper services. We have two franchises – Avanti West Coast (AWC) and Great Western Railway (GWR) plus our open access passenger services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We also operate Tramlink in Croydon on behalf of Transport for London and Heathrow Express with Heathrow Airport.
In addition to our Train Operating Companies (TOCs), First Rail includes specialist teams such as finance, property, IT and human resources, a customer contact centre, a consultancy, data connectivity solutions, and innovation in data analytics.
FirstGroup's Values
* Committed to Customers
* Supportive of each other
* Accountable for performance
* Dedicated to safety
* Setting the highest standards
Location
First Rail Holdings Ltd, 8th Floor, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road, London, E2 1AF
FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the link below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries
Truck Transportation
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