Special Traffic Manager

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

To develop base plans, service specifications and consequential timetable planning and associated rolling stock and resource requirements for special events, significant infrastructure issues, emergencies and industrial action on South Western Railway and Island Line

 Your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop base plans, service specifications and consequential timetable planning and associated rolling stock and resource requirements for special events, significant infrastructure issues and industrial action on South Western Railway and Island Line
• Provide support to the rest of the Short Term Planning team
• Work with other parts of the business to develop good two-way communications prior to and following events taking place
• Manage special TPU Requests inbox on a day-to-day basis
• Develop the train service strategy for significant infrastructure issues, industrial action and special events, e.g. Royal Ascot, Bournemouth Airshow, sporting events, to ensure that they integrate effectively with the overall service plan, whilst meeting the needs of customers and maximising revenue for the business
• Produce appropriately resourced specifications in conjunction with the Engineering Works Strategy, Short Term Planning and Resourcing teams that facilitates resourced bidding of paths. Advise internal and external stakeholders of plans
• Determine train service arrangements necessary to meet demands of special events, holding meetings with relevant managers as necessary and circulating advice on proposed train plans and forthcoming special events
• Liaise with the Timetable Development Manager regarding any derogations required for service alterations as a result of special traffic needs
• Undertake liaison with stations, traincrew, customer service management teams and other TOCs in respect of special traffic plans in order to ensure the safety of passengers and control crowding levels
• In conjunction with stations teams ensure train plan and stations operations are integrated to ensure customer satisfaction and successful operation on the day, conducting post event reviews as appropriate
• Produce timetable information for the Communications team to share with customers and stakeholders
• Undertake visits to monitor effectiveness of special event activity delivery
• The post holder will be expected to undertake emergency planning work in the event of severe or extended disruption to SWR and Island Line train services
• Assist other activities within the Train Planning Unit as required by the Short Term Planning Manager and Train Planning Manager

You'll need:

• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of the Train Planning process so to understand the impact on all parts of the business such as traincrew resource planning, fleet mileage, maintenance, route clearances and operational requirements.
• Understand the nature of all subsections of train planning how they interlink and impact on each other.
• Knowledge of SWR route geography including fleet and train crew depots.
• Build good working relationships and influence teams within NR Train Planning and all TOC's and FOC's which inter-work within the Wessex area.
• Ability to communicate with people at all levels, also build good working relationships and influence teams with other companies and departments.
• Experience of previous employment in the railway industry is highly desirable.
• Educated to a high standard or significant proven experience in a related work environment.

Ideally, you will have:

• Line management skills and ability to influence others.
• Ability to analyse and interrogate high levels of complex data.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring.
• Knowledge of the SWR procedures is desirable.

 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

 On average you will work 37 hours per week, typically across 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 employee, free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependant), 75% discount on many other train operating companies, a range of retail benefits and an 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/