Who are we?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world.  We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services.   With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations. 

We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers.  Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the job:

​​The Lead Area Operations Manager role focuses on managing its team on a day to day basis, Your team is here to deliver a safe and punctual operation, supplying accurate and timely communications to all. As part of this role you will work closely with members of the wider Train Service Delivery Team, Performance Teams as well as local management, and other stakeholders to ensure that GWR delivers on its company values. 

​This document also details your specific safety responsibilities. General safety responsibilities and further information can be found in the Company Railway Safety Case, Operations and Safety Standards and Procedures, Local Policy Statement and other relevant Company documents.​

Your main responsibilities will be:

• ​Lead and manage the Area Operations teams within your region(s) so that they deliver the highest standards of performance, and attention to detail in delivery of the train service and managing crews.
• Responsible for ensuring team meetings, briefings take place at regular intervals.
• Manage your team's roster in CrewPlan and where agreed compile a local roster
• Effective management of team on shift to ensure all locations are covered
• Manage your team's competence and ensure assessments are carried out within the schedule windows in accordance with the CMS for AOMs
• Develop effective working relationships with other departments and businesses outside GWR
• Attend working groups within your region(s) that involve other TOCs and NR
• Carry out investigation as requested by the Operations Delivery Manager
• Monitor AOM CCIL and follow up and issues raised by the team
• Ensure your teams understand all AOM lead contingencies and industry ones, so they understand their role in service disruption and customer experience.
• Gain and maintain AOM competency for the locations you manage, when required cover any shifts to ensure the role is consistently covered.
• Undertake one-to-one meetings with your AOMs / ORAs to meet and agree personal development plans
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Operations Delivery Manager.

 ​Performance Improvement

• Support the Operations Delivery Manager in the delivery of localised performance improvement plans.
• Work with internal customers and stakeholders, Network Rail, other Train Operating Companies to identify and implement action to improve daily performance delivery.
• Represent the Train Service Delivery Team to provide input to the delivery of operational and performance schemes.

 ​Key Safety Responsibilities

• Complete the required amount of Be Safe conversations and touchpoints
• Ensure messages concerning safety are properly communicated to and understood by all concerned.
• Participate in safety briefings, meetings and training, as required.
• Co-operate with the company to enable legal obligations relating to health and safety to be met.
• Maintain a safe, healthy and tidy environment.
• Report all accidents or near misses to your Manager and GWR Control centre.
• Do not misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare. Use all equipment as per training and instructions.
• Responsible for the health, safety, security, welfare and fire safety arrangements of your staff including regular safety briefings and training as necessary.​​

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• HR: You will support the organisation's vision and purpose by living GWR's values at all times and you are responsible for complying with all competencies and HR policies which are relevant to your role.
• If you are a people manager, you will play a key role in keeping your team members engaged through effective use of people management and communication practices. You are responsible for communicating the organisation's vision and purpose in an appropriate way to your team members to ensure everyone is working towards a common end point and understands how they contribute to the success of GWR.
• Security: Security is about our passengers feeling safe when they travel, our colleagues feeling secure while at work and our business assets being protected. You will comply with all security procedures and local instructions and if you see something suspicious you must report it.
• Environment & Energy: You will comply with First Group's Environment Policy and GWR's Environmental Management & Energy Management Policy - Operations (Stations, Offices and Crew Depots)

LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure compliance with Railway Group Standards, current legislation and procedures that are relevant to your area of the Great Western Railway operation.
• Take immediate action in areas that do not meet the required standards.​​

The Reward:

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, 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 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 such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links 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://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/