Head of Safety and Assurance

Head of Safety & Assurance

Closing date for applications: Friday 03rd July 2026

Purpose of Job

To lead and embed a proactive safety, assurance, and risk management culture across all operational and infrastructure functions within the railway business.

The role provides strategic direction, oversight, and continuous improvement for health and safety, operational assurance, and compliance with regulatory and industry standards.

Principal Accountabilities

• Professional Head of Occupational safety.

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Safety and Assurance Strategy in alignment with corporate goals and industry best practices.

• Lead enterprise-wide risk assessments and ensure effective mitigation planning is embedded at all operational levels.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving innovation in safety technology and assurance processes.

• Ensure full compliance with UK rail safety regulations including ROGS, ORR, and relevant ISO standards.

• Act as the Principal Duty Holder or Competent Person under rail legislation as appropriate.

• Lead investigations into safety-related incidents, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions are effectively implemented

• Establish assurance frameworks for fleet, infrastructure, control centres, and frontline operations.

• Oversee safety certification and auditing programs, including SMS (Safety Management System) implementation and assessment.

• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to ensure safety is embedded in all activities.

• Liaise with industry regulators (ORR, RSSB), unions, and safety boards, ensuring transparent communication and representation.

• Prepare and present safety performance reports, including risk trends, leading indicators, and audit outcomes, to executive and board-level stakeholders.

• Drive employee engagement in safety initiatives across all levels of the business.

• Lead and develop a high-performing Safety and Assurance team, fostering accountability, capability growth, and succession planning.

• Mentor managers and staff on risk awareness, behavioural safety, and compliance culture.

• Accountable for the cyber security of all fleet and on-board digital systems (including TMS, PIS, CCTV, DAS and passenger-facing platforms), ensuring robust governance covering system-level risk assessment, assurance, and compliance with railway, safety and information security standards (including NIS Regulations, CAF, RSSB standards and internal policies).

• Provide strategic oversight of vulnerability management, penetration testing, secure design and engineering change assurance, and the effective management of third-party and OEM cyber risks, working in collaboration with the Corporate IT function to ensure alignment to enterprise cyber policies, governance frameworks and strategic objectives.

• On Call requirement as and when the business needs

Experience, Knowledge, Qualifications & Training

Essential:

• Proven leadership experience in rail safety, assurance, or risk management.

• In-depth knowledge of rail industry legislation, standards, and governance frameworks.

• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and operational execution.

• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Chartered membership of IOSH, IRM or similar is desirable.

• Experience in digital transformation or data-led safety innovation.

• Familiarity with ERTMS, fleet risk planning, and infrastructure projects.

• Skilled in change management and performance improvement in regulated environments.

• Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety

Diversity & Inclusion
 

At CrossCountry, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion isn’t just part of our strategy — it’s central to our success. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to be their best.

Click Apply Now to take the next step in your journey with CrossCountry Trains.

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