Competence Manager NW Internal Talent Bank

About This Role

This role is for a Competence Manager to provide professional guidance, operational expertise, and safety leadership within the Customer Experience (CEX) team. The core purpose is to ensure the safety of colleagues and passengers across the Avanti West Coast network, fostering a culture of competence, compliance, and continuous improvement. The role involves maintaining and improving operational competence and safety standards across frontline teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct competency assessments in accordance with Avanti West Coast Competence Management System (CMS) standards
• Maintain accurate records on the ACMS system
• Conduct risk assessments in collaboration with the Avanti West Coast Management Team and staff representatives, identifying hazards and implementing appropriate control measures
• Verify Train Manager Peer Trainers in line with CMS requirements, ensuring consistent and effective assessment standards
• Work with Route Safety Business Partners to develop and deliver effective frontline safety-critical briefings
• Support initiatives that improve safety across the rail network
• Support Operational Business Managers (OBMs) and Station Managers in investigating operational and occupational accidents and incidents, helping identify learning opportunities and prevent recurrence
• Review risk assessments and method statements in accordance with the Permit to Work process, ensuring contractors can undertake work safely across the Avanti West Coast network
• Promote a proactive safety culture, support operational compliance, and identify opportunities to improve competence, safety performance, and working practices

Requirements

• Be a competent Train Manager
• Have a sound understanding of Avanti West Coast operational requirements
• Have experience of using Safety Management Systems
• Possess knowledge of Railway Group Standards and Avanti West Coast standards
• Have a good understanding of relevant railway legislation
• Demonstrate proven experience in safety management
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks
• Confidence in conducting and reviewing risk assessments
• Ability to undertake safety-critical competency assessments
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with operational teams and safety stakeholders to deliver positive safety outcomes
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification
• A1 Assessor qualification or working towards it
• V1 Verifier qualification

Nice to have:

• NEBOSH General Certificate

Benefits