Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life.

SWR is 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.

About the job

The post holder will be responsible for managing a wide range of regulatory interfaces, delivering compliance and maximum value from a portfolio of industry contracts held by South Western Railway (SWR) in relation to its access and leasing arrangements.

The position reports to the Head of Industry Partnerships and forms a key part of the team responsible for leading the development, commercial and strategic relationship with Network Rail.  The post holder will deliver efficient contract management and provide regulatory expertise to business stakeholders.  The post holder will administer and negotiate a range of contract and lease arrangements for SWR, achieving contractual compliance and best value as appropriate within the industry framework and franchise obligations.   The role has a strong commercial focus, delivering key income and recovery streams for SWR, efficiently handling relevant compensation mechanisms, access charging and change processes

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Act as a key point of contact for commercial and contractual matters for administering access contracts and leases and providing regulatory expertise to help meet business objectives.
• Support and mentor the team as necessary in the efficient and compliant delivery of regulatory access requirements, protecting the interests of the business, and seeking maximum revenue and savings.
• Procure and manage contractual arrangements with other train operating companies, Network Rail, industry parties, customers and suppliers.
• Implement an efficient and compliant process, working closely with internal stakeholders, in respect of regulatory change processes.
• Interface with Network Rail and stakeholders as necessary, to represent SWRs short and long term interests, in particular in relation to network and strategic development.
• Act as a key interface between SWR, Group Rail division and the Office of Rail & Road (ORR), ensuring application of changes to, or introduction of new regulatory policy or regimes governing relevant access contracts.
• Where appropriate liaise with Group Rail to ensure a coordinated response to relevant ORR or other industry consultations, ensuring any opportunities or risks to SWR in respect of its access contracts are understood.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure franchise compliance in respect of regulatory access, supporting the business in delivering its franchise commitments.
• Provide regulatory guidance and expertise to other functions/directorates in respect of access and other contractual matters.
• Work closely with Finance functions to ensure accurate budget / forecasting and financial variance analysis, are delivered in respect of income and expenditure arising from access contracts. 

As a minimum, you will need:

• To be educated to degree level.
• Working knowledge of industry Access contracts and regulatory processes.
• Administration and planning skills and experience of working within a cross-function business environment.
• A proactive and organised approach.
• Effective time management skills and an ability to work to deadlines.
• Proven numerate and analytical skills with good attention to detail.
• Sound contractual understanding.
• Knowledge of the operational railway and the contractual framework within which it operates would be a significant advantage.

Applicants who require a visa must have 6 months remaining at the time of their appointment. Training is full time and you must be able to commit to this.

About the location

South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport. 

Working pattern

You will work an average of 37 hours per week, typically Monday - Friday, office hours.

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Large range of exclusive retail offers
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, 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 a 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, for example, 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/