Railway Manager

Job Title: Railway Manager

Location: Ropley and Medstead with some working at Alresford - Primarily on site working required

Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum DOE

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

The Watercress Line is Hampshire's heritage railway that preserves the experience and skills of railway engineering and operations and explains how railways changed society through the story of our Line. It operates between Alton and Alresford in Hampshire and was opened as a heritage line in 1977.

The Watercress Line is a partnership between the Mid-Hants Railway Ltd that manages and operates the railway along 10 miles of track and four stations bordering the South Downs National Park; and the Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust that supports the Railway through fundraising and advocacy.

The Watercress Line is a major regional employer of more than 45 staff; benefits from the volunteering services of more than 500 people to run the railway and keep it working; and is one of the top five heritage railways in the country and one of largest visitor attractions inHampshire with nearly 100,000 visitors per year.

We are now looking to recruit an experienced Railway Manager. In this role, you will be reporting directly to the CEO and will be part of the Senior Management Team. This is an infrastructure role to manage the delivery and forward planning of railway works and projects in:

• Rolling stock engineering
• Permanent Way
• Signals & Telecoms
• Estates

As the Railway Manager, you will be accountable for the infrastructure and engineering activity at The Watercress Line. The objectives of the role are to:

• Provide safe and compliant railway infrastructure
• Provide safe, compliant and appropriate rolling stock
• Manage and develop trained and competent staff and volunteers
• Develop and manage appropriate work banks of maintenance
• Develop and oversee strategic investment in the railway infrastructure, estate and rolling stock aligned with the business plan.

You will be responsible for:

• Team Management
• Railway Infrastructure and Estate Management
• Safety Management
• Project Management
• Budget Management and Financial Planning
• Strategic Planning

Experience and Qualifications:

• Successful leadership in the management of infrastructure, ideally in a railway environment, delivered in an open and transparent manner.
• A professional or QBE background in engineering: civil, mechanical or structural
• An understanding/experience of compliance with the CDM regulations and their application
• Experience of the management of volunteers alongside staff with volunteering experience at an appropriate level
• Experience of creatively managing limited budgets and balancing priorities
• A strong, practical and clear approach to risk management in order to determine policy and actions
• A high level of financial competence and acumen. Able to understand fully and manage business financial matters as well as project and department spend.
• An understanding of the obligations arising from Health & Safety legislation and how to apply these and other industry requirements in a transport and engineering environment.
• Has, or is able to obtain, sufficient knowledge of the rail industry to enable productive links with partners, regulatory bodies and other agencies to be developed and maintained
• An understanding of ROGS as they relate to heritage railways.
• PRINCE2 or other project management qualification
• Familiarity with HOPS or other competence management systems

Skills and Aptitudes:

- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to inspire and motivate a diverse team of individuals including paid staff, volunteers, stakeholders and others

- Strong team player with a willingness to reinforce the successful challenge of traditional silos

- Enthusiasm for the development of staff, volunteers and apprentices

- High levels of business and commercial awareness

- Accuracy, attention to detail and the ability and drive to complete and finish tasks

- Ability to drive complex projects to conclusion

- Excellent influencing and negotiating skills developed at a senior level

- High levels of financial literacy

- Excellent networking skills, developed in a range of settings

- Personable, approachable and a good listener

Benefits:

- 31 days including bank holiday allowance

- Travel benefits on the railway after 1 years' service.

- Discounts for railway events, catering and retail

- Employee Assistance Programme for free personal, legal, emotional and financial support.

Please click APPLY below to complete your application via our website.

Candidates with experience of: Head of Railway Operations, Infrastructure Engineering Manager, Heritage Railway Manager, Operations and Engineering Director, Railway Maintenance Manager, Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Manager, Senior Railway Project Manager, and Technical Services Manager may also be considered for this role.