Who Are We?

First Rail is one of the most experienced rail operators in the UK, with more than 770,000 passenger journeys daily last year across our Department for Transport contracted operations and Open Access routes.

We operate two major train operating companies – Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway (GWR), and two Open Access passenger rail services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We are also ‘shadow operator’ on the HS2 programme and operate the London Overground; London Tram and London Cable Car services on behalf of Transport for London.

Our First Rail head office is home to specialist teams that provide expert support across the Engineering, Finance, Property, Operations, Procurement, IT and Human Resources functions of the rail division. First Rail Holdings is a part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier.

FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

What is the role?

This is a pivotal leadership role within First Rail Consultancy, responsible for establishing and growing a recognised, market-leading safety practice across the rail and wider transport sectors. The role will provide strategic leadership for the consultancy's safety function, acting as the principal adviser to the Rail Operations Practice Director and wider leadership team on all safety-related matters.

The successful candidate will drive the development of our external market presence, building trusted relationships with clients and industry stakeholders, identifying and securing new business opportunities, and shaping compelling bids and tenders that contribute to the continued growth of the consultancy.

In addition, the role will be instrumental in developing and enhancing safety capability across the wider consultancy team, ensuring that safety expertise is embedded throughout our service offering. The postholder will also deliver high-quality consultancy services on client assignments, providing expert, pragmatic and proportionate safety advice that helps clients improve performance, manage risk effectively and achieve sustainable operational outcomes.

As a recognised safety leader, you will act as both a trusted adviser and critical friend to clients, championing best practice, innovation and continual improvement in safety management across the rail industry.

Note that this role is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract, with progression onto a permanent contract subject to meeting criteria on utilisation and revenue generation.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership and Practice Development

• Lead and develop the First Rail Consultancy Safety Function, setting the strategic direction and ensuring the delivery of high-quality safety consultancy services.

• Act as the senior safety authority within the consultancy, providing expert guidance and advice to the Rail Operations Practice Director and wider leadership team.

• Maintain awareness of emerging industry trends, legislation, standards and best practice, ensuring our services remain innovative, relevant and market leading.

• Develop, maintain and enhance consultancy methodologies, tools and intellectual property relating to safety management and assurance.

Business Development and Market Growth

• Lead the identification, pursuit and conversion of new business opportunities across rail and associated transport markets.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, positioning First Rail Consultancy as a recognised and trusted provider of safety expertise.

• Lead the development of bid and tender submissions, ensuring compelling, high-quality and commercially attractive safety solutions are presented to clients.

• Represent First Rail Consultancy at industry events, forums and conferences to enhance market visibility and strengthen our industry reputation.

• Capability Development

• Develop and deliver training, coaching and mentoring programmes to enhance safety capability across the wider consultancy team.

• Support the professional development of consultants through knowledge sharing, technical guidance and project-based learning.

• Foster a culture of continual improvement, collaboration and excellence in safety across the business.

Consultancy Delivery

• Provide specialist technical expertise and leadership on complex client assignments and programmes.

• Deliver practical, proportionate and value-adding safety solutions that support client strategic and operational objectives.

• Act as a trusted adviser and critical friend to clients, offering independent challenge and expert guidance to improve safety performance and strengthen organisational capability.

• Ensure consultancy outputs are delivered to the highest standards of quality, professionalism and technical excellence.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and support direct reports, creating a high-performing and engaged team environment.

• Contribute positively to the wider leadership and growth of First Rail Consultancy.

• Promote the consultancy's values, behaviours and commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for clients.

Who are we looking for?

The successful applicant for the role will be an experienced Safety Leader with operational and occupational safety experience in a rail operating environment, and with an established profile within the rail industry. The successful applicant will be a member (preferably chartered) of a relevant professional body.

Skills and Experience

Key skills and experience include:

• Experience of leading safety, competence management, training or assurance, ideally within the rail industry

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Excellent influencing skills and ability to engage others in a shared objective

• Ability to prioritise workload

• Safety Management System (SMS) appraisal and development

• Standards alignment

• Operational and occupational risk management

• Hazard Identification (HAZIL) facilitation

• Incident analysis and learning

• Competence development and management

• Risk Based Training Needs Analysis (RBTNA)

• Audit

• Inspections

• Assurance

• Business Development

What can we offer you?

• Salary of up to £110k per annum - dependant on experience

• Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)

• 25 days holiday plus national bank holidays

• Travel offers for Bus and Rail*

• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a charity of your choice

• Shopping discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more

• All employee Share Schemes* 

• Buy as You Earn share scheme*

• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider

*After 6 months employment

FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer base.