Driver Manager - GPR

Job Introduction

To ensure safe reliable train operation in compliance with Railway Group and Company Standards.  Line manage drivers at all Southeastern locations (general purpose relief) as required by the business need at any given time. To ensure a safe, reliable, punctual train service that customers will buy, at a cost to allow profit.

Take a look at the video below to see what we achieved in 2023!:

Role Responsibility

• Assess and certificate the competence of persons involved in driving and working with trains.
• Monitor and enforce the compliance of standards regarding persons engaged in ‘safety critical work,’ so far as driving and train operation is concerned, taking special cognisance of the requirements of the Network Rail Rule Book, Railway Group Standards, Safety Requirements for Train Drivers, and Train Working: Competency and Fitness.
• Undertake training of staff in those competencies and standards defined above.
• Organise and perform routine supervisory visits to locations, in accordance with company standards, where ‘safety critical work’ activities are being performed.
• Attend at the site and investigate the circumstances of accidents and incidents concerning train working.
• Undertake On Call and TOLO responsibilities as required.
• Manage communication, recruitment, training, development and welfare of staff, in compliance with company procedures (including attendance, capability and conduct).
• Deliver or exceed agreed performance indicators.
• Responsible for the health and safety of customers, visitors, contractors and staff at depots for which responsible.
• Participate in or lead projects as required.
• Deliver agreed actions and activities to support the delivery of the Units Performance Improvement Plans
• To work at all locations Southeastern (primarily based at Grove Park) as required by the business needs to allow training and assessing to be successfully carried out within timescales

The Ideal Candidate

• Licence to drive trains
• Thorough knowledge of train driving techniques, rules, instructions and Railway Group and Company Standards.  Able to achieve competence in Personal Track Safety (PTS).
• Able to investigate accidents and incidents with the objective of identifying basic underlying and root causes, and able to make meaningful recommendations to prevent re-occurrence.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to achieve Vocational Qualification in assessing to required level.
• Thorough knowledge of conditions of service applicable to train crew.
• Ability to obtain Vocational Qualification in management.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited