Head of Drivers

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

Rail & Transportation
Civils & Construction
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Technology & Cyber Security
Logistics & Intermodal Freight
Defence
Our search directors, search consultants and in-house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment – Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We are currently working with a well-known Train Operating Company on appointing their next Head of Drivers.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide 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.
Essential

Skills:

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.
Strong knowledge of London Northwester and West Midlands Railways operations, geography, safety and quality standards, combined with analytical and problem-solving skills to develop practical, commercially sound people strategies, policies and processes.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search Interview, Suitability & Matching Process:

1st Stage – Candidate Discovery:
An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
2nd Stage – The ‘shortlist’:
Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable).
F&S Executive Search – Delivery Team:

Billy Jackson – Principle Consultant (Shortlisting, Offer Negotiations, Client Consulting).
Emma Barlow – Senior Research Associate (Networking, Research,…