Area Operations Manager (3129)
- Salary:£Competitive
- Location:Ashford Depot
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Closing Date:12 September 2025
Currently recruiting an Area Operations Manager - Thameslink South Area
Are you a motivated passionate and experienced leader who can inspire a large team of frontline staff? Do you thrive in demanding, busy and dynamic environments?
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the forefront of GTR's operation. The role of Area Operations Manager is an integral part of the leadership team, focusing around 250 drivers and managers to deliver an excellent customer service during a period of huge change. This is the perfect chance for someone ready to make a real impact in shaping frontline operations.
To be successful in this role, you will be a competent and experienced manager, ideally from an functional background. Experience in the rail industry is not essential.
With 300,000 passengers traveling daily you'll quickly come to grasp the core processes underpinning our operation and take action to improve the way we deliver train services. To enable this you will develop strong relationships with key stakeholders and work collaboratively with trade unions; these are key areas so the successful applicant will display and utilise advanced communication skills and possess the right behaviours.
Key responsibilities include
- Proactive management of productivity including attendance management
- Management of competence and safety standards
- Through continuous liaison with the operations, engineering and commercial teams within GTR and key suppliers (especially Network Rail), proactively identify and implement opportunities to improve trains service performance.
- Delivering the resource plan and financial budget for the specified depots
- Responsible for the delivery of customer service standard
- Work effectively with the local trade union representatives, resource managers and roster clerks to ensure that all rostering actions are completed in the most effective and efficient manner, giving maximum productivity from the available resources.
What we can offer you:
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on GTR and sister groups for you and your family
- 75% off travel on other train operating companies for you, and leisure for your family
- 25 days annual leave
- Discounted Oyster Card
- GTR offers maternity, paternity and adoption leave and time off for prenatal keep, as well as shared parental leave - all part of our commitment to family friendly policies
- StarHub – our great benefits package which, for example, includes discounts with many retailers.
Benefits

Pension

Staff Travel

Childcare Vouchers

Extra Holidays

Discount Scheme

Long Service Awards

Employee Assistance Programme

The Transport Benevolent Fund

In-House Occupational Health Department

Cycle to Work Scheme
Testimonials
What our staff say
“I work as part of the Fleet Infrastructure team, which means ensuring our 18 Engineering locations operate safely and efficiently. We oversee all building and track maintenance works as well as various minor and major projects across the network.”
Hannah Richards
Fleet Infrastructure Administrator
“I started in a small ticket office back in 1996 and have continued to work my way up ever since. A previous manager told me about a job he’d seen advertised for a trainer. ’d never considered a job in HR or mentoring before then, but he said I’d be perfect for it and I haven’t looked back since!”
Zoey Hudson
Head of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion
“Since April, I’ve helped to support our Kickstart Scheme. It’s been a really rewarding process to be part of because I know first-hand how tough it can be to find work once you’re out of it.”
Jack Gow
Mobile Station Manager
“I love the freedom that comes with being a train driver. Obviously, there are rules and regulations to follow as well as duties and commitments to carry out, but in a way, you’re sort of your own boss, which is nice.”
Ashley John
Train Driver
“I’m a Thameslink passenger host and team leader based at Luton station and I’m currently doing a Level 3 Supervisor apprenticeship so that I can improve my skills even further. I was hesitant to do the apprenticeship at first because of my age – I left school over 60 years ago without any qualifications! It’s been hard to get back into the routine of learning again.”
Bob Bryce
Passenger Host Team Leader
“It was my brother’s suggestion to join the railway. He was already working in the industry and knew I had some university bills to pay off so told me to give it a go, get out of debt and see what I wanted to do next. After a while, it just felt like actually – this is exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m part of a great team and the on-board department as a whole are brilliant to work with. I feel at home here.”
Tonderai Matizha-Johnson
Area Operations Manager
“When I saw that GTR was advertising places for its apprenticeship scheme I looked into it straight away because I thought it was a great opportunity to learn whilst getting real life experience in a 9-5 job. I applied for a level three business administration apprenticeship and was thrilled to find out I had a place on the course! I was so excited that I didn’t even mind it was based 250 miles away from where I lived.”
Harriet Dee
Team Administrator
“Working for GTR is very rewarding and fulfilling. You really feel like you're making a difference to customers, no matter what role you're in as at the end of the day they're the heart of our business. I’ve had lots of opportunities to explore other aspects of the business including supporting our station staff and gaining my Train Dispatch Licence which has been enriching for my experience here.”
Maggie Luckhurst
Platform / Train Dispatch
“If you’ve always had an interest in rail, or maybe you’re just curious to find out what working in the railway might look like, GTR is the operator to go for. Not many companies do an official work experience program and this unique opportunity will give you a good grounding with varied activities to help you find the best place in the railway for you. It certainly did it for me.”
Nathaniel Owen
Station Manager