Driver Area Manager - Intercity

We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Ten times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work.

At EMR we want to proactively embrace diversity across our workforce and recognise that we are under-represented in terms of females and ethnic minority groups. We’re therefore taking positive steps to promote a positive and inclusive culture; we welcome applications from those that identify with these groups to better represent our communities.

We’re looking for an experienced and values-led Driver Area Manager to lead Driver Operations across our Intercity depots at Derby, Kettering and London St Pancras.

This is a senior, safety-critical leadership role with accountability for driver performance, safety standards, employee engagement and service delivery. You’ would play a key part in ensuring a safe, punctual and customer-focused railway, while delivering against productivity, financial and workforce targets.

If you are an operational leader with a Train Drivers License, strong people skills, sound judgement and deep railway knowledge, and experience of Train Driving this is a chance to make a real impact at the heart of our Intercity operation.

As Driver Area Manager, you will:

Lead all aspects of Driver Operations across Intercity depots, ensuring the highest standards of safety, performance and professionalismDrive driver availability and establishment delivery to support consistent service and maximise optimisation and efficiency Lead and oversee operational investigations, safety standards issues, discipline, grievance and welfare mattersAct as the local liaison for Driver Local Delivery/Consultation arrangements, working within the agreementsProduce and authorise Depot Local Policies and Emergency PlansEnsure full compliance with health & safety legislation, fire regulations and safety management systemsMaintain high standards of operational excellence through strong, visible leadershipBuild effective working relationships with Operations, Fleet, On Train and Station teams to deliver a true “one team” approachEnsure Driver Managers are fully competent, assessed and compliant with rules and regulationsLead employee engagement activity across driver teamsSupport workforce planning and establishment modelling in partnership with the Head of OperationsManage budgetary accountability for Driver operations within your areaActively support sustainability objectives and minimise environmental impact

Key skills and Attributes for the role:

A confident operational leader with experience in a safety-critical or highly regulated environment.Strong, engaging leadership and interpersonal skillsProven experience delivering performance, safety and people outcomesThe ability to understand and manage financial and business KPIsExperience working with trade union or staff representatives at a local levelBroad technical knowledge of railway operations, rules, regulations and traincrew proceduresSound judgement and the ability to understand the wider impact of operational decisionsExperience leading and developing management teamsStrong IT, reporting and presentation skills, with a data-driven approach

This is a senior leadership opportunity offering genuine operational influence, the chance to shape safety, performance and culture across Intercity depots, and the support of a collaborative, high-performing professional environment.

As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:

An excellent defined benefit pension scheme32 days’ holiday per year, rising to 34 after 2 yearsFlexible working hoursFree First Class duty travel on the EMR networkFree standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants)Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR networkVarious training opportunitiesEmployee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme …and many re!

To apply complete the online application and upload your CV. As we operate a blind screening process, please remove all personal information including your name from your CV.

Closing Date: 15 Feb 2026

Department: Managerial/Administration

Salary: circa. £89,090.82