Safety Assurance Manager (ECDP)

The successful candidate will provide support in the development of company Safety Management Systems so they remain compliant with applicable legal and other requirements, supporting operating companies with the change management associated with projects and their safety validation process application. You will have specific responsibility for ensuring the consequences of Business Readiness Impact Notices (BRINS) are addressed by operators and ensuring that the safety risks associated with change projects are identified, understood and mitigated prior to implementation, with a focus on overseeing all assurance activities are completed. You will develop effect relationships to engender collaborative working with stakeholders to ensure the successful and smooth implementation of ERTMS. These key relationships are Network Rail and the Office of Road and Rail. You will provide operational and occupational safety related Project Management support to Operating Companies in the development any ETCS related schemes.

There will be a requirement to travel in this role.

FirstGroup plc is a leading provider of bus and rail services in the UK. First Rail operates passenger services across three rail franchises, Avanti West Coast (AWC), Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway (SWR) – plus our open access passenger services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We also operate Tramlink in Croydon on behalf of Transport for London and Heathrow Express with Heathrow Airport.

• Work with Operating Companies to develop project specific Safety Assurance & Validation Plans.
• Develop proactive Risk Management processes using analysis tools and risk profiling to support safety approvals.
• Ensure that project related accidents or incidents are reported, recorded and investigate to conclusion.
• Where required ensure that Safety Assurance (Audits) activities are conducted.
• Provide Human factors expertise to Project activities on proposed changes.
• Support Operating Companies with operational and occupational projects and general ETCS related project issues.
• Support engagement with key external and internal stakeholders on project outputs.
• Ensure that company SMS accommodate project related changes and remain compliant with relevant legislation and industry standards.
• Support Operating Companies with project related Safety Certificate change applications.
• Ensure project related assurance is completed with consideration of the Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3).
• Support Operating Companies with the preparation of safety validation proposals for any change to ensure that all project related risks are managed and mitigated.
• Maintain theoretical and practical competence in the field of safety management, including the application of relevant legislation and industry requirements.

Education

• A formal safety management qualification (equivalent to NEBOSH diploma or working towards) or three years rail industry risk management experience. (Membership of IOSH is desirable but not essential).
• Formal Human Factors qualifications or working towards.
• Formal Project Management qualification. (Membership of APM is advantageous)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Sound understanding and experience of change control and safety assurance processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence decision makers and the behaviour of front-line employees.
• Ability to work on own initiative, self-motivated and able to set and achieve demanding targets and objectives, and report upon them.

Decision Making

• The post holder is expected to provide strategic guidance and support on the application of SMS arrangements and implement improvements where appropriate.
• The post holder will be responsible for preparing safety activities.
• Review and update project Safety Plans and Risk Management activities to ensure their efficacy and implement changes or additions to address shortcomings.

• 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 *
• 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 – allows you to buy shares each month, with 2 free ‘matching' shares for each 3 shares you buy. You can vary the amount you save or stop it at any time. You need to participate in the scheme for at least 3 years to receive the matching shares *
• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice

• After 6 months employment