Operations Manager

Location: Primarily at Bo’ness Station nr Edinburgh, EH51 9AQ, Scotland.

Salary: c. £30,000, with flexibility depending on experience

We are looking for an Operations Manager, someone who has a passion for railways that will be responsible for delivering the safe operation of the Society’s heritage railway activities.

If you are methodical, thorough, focused on detail and driven by the highest standards, the Operations Manager role may be for you. The role is tasked with delivering strong operational leadership and high standards of compliance (with the Safety Management System and Competence Management System).

You will be able to demonstrate role model behaviours, with commitment and dedication, working with a large team across a varied number of operations.

Role Description

Our Operations Department looks after the safe operation of all trains on the line.

A large team of volunteers, this includes guards, footplate staff, traffic management, incident recording, contingency planning, shunting, special traffic, site security and administration of the Heritage Operations Processing System (‘HOPS’), a web-based tool for the day-to-day running and management of preserved and heritage railways.

The Operations Manager provides leadership and day to day management of this team. A key part of the role is the training, mentoring, and ongoing assessment of staff, ensuring consistently high standards of safety, competence and customer service.

Experience

Experience of working on an operational railway in an operations role, either the national network or a heritage railway, with both paid and volunteer staff is essential. Hands-on experience as a guard, signalman, or footplate crew would be desirable.

Key skills and attributes

This role requires someone who has proven record in promoting and improving customer service, to
achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. A proven record of strong organisational and planning skills. An effective and engaging networker. You should be an excellent communicator who understands the importance of building and nurturing relationships with our vast network of stakeholders including our neighbours along the 5 miles of the B&KR and in the wider railway eco-system.

You should be an experienced leader and a team player used to working with people to get the very best from them, with a can-do attitude, and who takes responsibility for getting tasks done in a safe and compliant manner.

You should have the ability to establish systems and processes to enable the smooth coordination of activities. You should personally align to our new values of:

• Preserving our traction and rolling stock, our infrastructure, our archives and our people. Preserving the best of, and learning from, our history
• Supporting our volunteers to achieve what they are passionate about, recognising that passion is different for different people
• Protecting – valuing a positive safety culture, training people to be mindful of the dangers of railways
• Promoting the aims of the Society internally, to the wider public and to industry bodies
• Participating – spreading joy and having fun. Looking after our people and creating a sense of belonging. Engaging with visitors. Advocating two-way communication. Being the SRPS family with one identity.

You will be responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance with Society policies, procedures and guidelines and placing the health and safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors at the forefront of our thinking. You will be able to manage the administration of the Society’s day-to-day activities. You’ll need appropriate IT and communication skills to undertake this role effectively.

You will support the Board in delivering the Society’s strategic objectives, including the financial budget as well as pursuing the highest standards of quality in all work carried out and you will need to be the line manager for the departments that operate across the Society.

Key Responsibilities

• The post-holder will be responsible for the following key deliverables (either directly or within the Operations team):
• Upholding the values of the Society and setting an example for others.
• Leading and managing volunteers in a manner that is consistent with the values of the Society.
• Primary contact with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and His Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI).
• Overseeing control of the SRPS Safety Management System (SMS) and Competence Management System (CMS).
• Review and approve all changes to operational procedures and any changes which could affect the operation of trains on the B&KR.
• Dealing with day-to-day operational issues such as trespass and contractor access.
• Managing the operational budgets within agreed parameters.
• Providing appropriate management information to the General Manager and Board (or its sub-committees) in a timely manner.
• Preparing Special Traffic Notices.
• Working with our Steam, Diesel and Carriage and Wagon Departments to allocate rolling stock and ensuring it is fit for purpose and is at the right place at the right time.
• Ensuring that the railway is adequately staffed each day with the appropriate rostering and forward planning in place.
• Identifying and monitoring of training needs for the workforce and ensuring that all required certifications are current and appropriately recorded and updated. Provide high level operations training as required, as well as Rule Book and PTS Courses.
• Roll out developments in the HOPS system to the wider Operations Department.
• Ensuring trains are prepared, are clean and fit for service in a timely manner.
• Working with our Signal and Telecommunications, Stations and Civil Engineering departments, monitoring the condition of all property assets ensuring that cost effective service contracts are in place, supported by a monitoring and maintenance programme that meets our compliance requirements.
• Liaising with the Business Development Department and other 3rd parties in order to prepare annual operating and working timetables.
• Assisting with bespoke projects such as filming contracts.
• Appointment of On-Call Responsible Officers who are contactable 24x7.
• Monitor and manage issues that affect staff performance including fatigue and drug, substance and alcohol abuse and mental wellbeing

Benefits

• Join a fantastic, friendly team of over 20 staff and around 400 volunteers
• Work within a beautiful and unique location, immersed in Scottish railway history
• Employers’ Pension Scheme
• Free parking
• Work for a charity in the heritage sector where all profits are reinvested into further developing the museum, its people and our communities.

About the Society

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) operates passenger trains on the five-mile Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway (B&KR) on around 150 days per year, with a busy programme of special events and welcomed over 50,000 visitors in 2023.

As one of the country’s leading heritage railways, we have a reputation for high standards of customer service and commercial success.

Our museum tells the story of the history of the Scottish railway industry and our collection has been recognised as being of national significance.

We have a large, diverse audience and we rely upon talented people who are able to demonstrate exceptional skills and personal characteristics to deliver the outstanding experience we offer to visitors.

The railway also hosts filming and location hire, and our connection to the national rail network at Manuel enables trains to operate to and from the B&KR and further afield in the UK mainland.

If you believe that you are the right person for this role, send your CV and covering letter by clicking the 'Apply' button.