Head of Drivers - Rail

Position: Head of Drivers - Rail (Permanent)
Head of Drivers - Rail
Midlands - Hybrid role
Excellent salary and benefits

We are seeking for a Head of Drivers to play a critical leadership role within a major rail client, providing strategic direction, visibility and inspiration across the Driver function.

This is a pivotal senior role responsible for leading the safe, effective and compliant operation of the 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

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.
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