Head of Quality Assurance
Company: COLAS RAIL UK
Job Location: LONDON, GBR
Type of Contract: Permanent
Posting Start Date: 04/03/2026
Job Description:
Purpose of the Role
The Quality Management Lead - Overhead Catenary System (OCS) is accountable for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Quality Management arrangements for the design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover of the OCS works on HS2.
The role provides independent quality leadership, reporting at director level, and ensures that all activities are delivered in full compliance with the Contract Works Information, WI 600 - Quality Management, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), and applicable railway, electrical, and safety standards.
Acting as the competent authority for quality, the postholder ensures the effective operation of the Quality Management System, drives a risk‑based "right first time" culture, and provides assurance that defects, nonconformities, and systemic risks are proactively identified, controlled, and eliminated.
The role safeguards the integrity, traceability, and compliance of OCS plant, materials, special processes, and documentation, ensuring that quality governance is embedded across the supply chain and throughout the project lifecycle.
Through independent challenge, audit, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives, the Quality Management Lead provides confidence to HS2 Ltd that the OCS works are delivered safely, compliantly, and to the highest standards of performance and reliability.
Person Specification
* Demonstrable experience leading quality management within rail systems, preferably Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS) or electrification programmes.
* Proven experience operating as an independent quality authority on major infrastructure or high-speed rail projects.
* Strong working knowledge and practical implementation experience of:
ISO 9001
ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS)
ISO 10005 (Quality Plans)
ISO 10006 (Quality in Projects)
ISO 9004 (Organisational Maturity)
ISO 19011 (Auditing Management Systems)
* Experience establishing and maintaining certified QMS arrangements on complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
* Experience managing quality across the full lifecycle: design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning and handover.
* Competent quality auditor (IRCA or equivalent), with experience leading internal and external audits.
* Demonstrable experience managing nonconformity processes, root cause analysis, corrective actions and systemic improvement programmes.
* Experience overseeing material certification, traceability (EN 10204), and special process control (e.g. ISO 3834, ISO 9712).
* Experience working within regulated railway environments and engaging with assurance bodies and regulators.
* Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge delivery functions constructively, and operate at director level.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management System
* Ensure the Contractor's QMS is certified to ISO 9001 and compliant with ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), valid for the OCS scope and accepted by the Project Manager prior to commencement of works.
* Maintain QMS compliance throughout the project lifecycle, including certificate renewals, surveillance audits, and scope extensions where required.
* Make QMS documentation, registers, certification records, and assurance evidence available to HS2 upon request.
* Ensure laboratory testing and calibration activities are undertaken by appropriately accredited bodies (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) where required.
Quality Planning
* Develop, implement, and maintain the OCS Quality Plan in accordance with:
ISO 10005
WI 600
HS2 Quality Plan Requirements for Providers
* Ensure the Quality Plan covers design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover.
* Submit the Quality Plan and revisions for HS2 acceptance within contractual timescales.
Independent Quality Leadership
* Act independently from delivery functions with authority to challenge activities and halt works where quality or compliance is compromised.
* Provide professional and technical challenge to design, construction, and testing teams to prevent defects and nonconformities.
* Promote a strong quality culture across OCS engineering, construction, and supply chain partners.
* Ensure the quality function maintains an independent reporting line to director level.
Design Quality Assurance
* Define, implement, and evidence robust design assurance processes for OCS works.
* Oversee self‑certification, design verification, technical assurance, and system certification records.
* Ensure compliance with HS2 standards, interoperability requirements, railway norms, and contractual obligations.
* Monitor configuration control and design change governance processes.
Inspection, Testing & Commissioning
* Ensure Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), surveillance plans, forms, and templates are developed and accepted prior to works commencing.
* Verify witness and hold points are included within the Accepted Programme.
* Ensure compliance with WI 0700 and applicable OCS testing standards.
* Oversee quality assurance of commissioning and handover documentation.
Plant, Materials & Traceability
* Develop and maintain the Material Certification and Traceability Plan in accordance with EN 10204.
* Ensure OCS materials (e.g., conductors, cantilevers, insulators, fixings) are fully traceable throughout the lifecycle.
* Ensure inspection documentation is verified, approved, and traceable to installed assets.
* Segregate, quarantine, and report suspect, defective, or counterfeit materials immediately to HS2.
Audits & Assurance
* Ensure audits are conducted by competent, IRCA-qualified auditors in accordance with ISO 19011.
* Submit audit schedules and reports to HS2 in accordance with contractual requirements.
* Facilitate HS2, regulatory, and third‑party audits, ensuring timely closure of findings.
Nonconformance, Defects & Corrective Action
* Implement and manage the defect and nonconformance control process in accordance with:
WI 600
ISO 9001
HS2 Non‑Conformance and Corrective Action Requirements
* Lead structured root cause analysis and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions.
* As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
* Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
What We Offer
* Competitive Salary
* 26 days Annual Leave
* Industry leading Life Assurance
* Healthcare Cash Plan
* Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
* Pension Scheme
* Eye Care Vouchers
* Long Service Award
* Season Ticket Loan
Information at a Glance
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