Head of Driver Training, Development & Competence (3202)
- Salary:Attractive along with excellent benefits
- Location:Go-Ahead House (East Croydon)
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Closing Date:17 October 2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Operations team as Head of Driver Training, Development and Competence
As the largest train operating company in the UK, this role offers an unmatched opportunity to create and lead a newly integrated Operations Training and Development team and play a key role in the success of GTR. With ownership and autonomy to evolve the way we train and develop employees, you will be a visible and accountable part of the Train Services Director Leadership Team.
Your team will look to you to inspire high performance, and you will have the opportunity to share your strategy and vision to bring them along on the journey, using strong coaching skills as a values-based leader.
We will empower you to be a trusted voice in the organisation, with freedom to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to improve and innovate our approach to operational training. With significant opportunities to work collaboratively across departments to anticipate future training needs, as well as work closely with our Trade Union partners, you will be able to expand your network and, continuously improve and modernise the approach to deliver industry-leading training and development.
If you are a leader who is able to combine your expertise and analysis to provide compelling narrative for your strategy and vision for training, competence and development, as well as someone who celebrates success under pressure, then we'd love to hear from you.
Working for us, you'll enjoy great company and industry benefits, including free travel on our services (Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern) and huge discounts with other UK and international train operators, including London Underground. You'll get a market leading pension, and fantastic discount schemes. Not to mention, an interesting and flexible work schedule, in an environment where learning and progression are actively encouraged.
To apply please submit a cover letter and CV expressing why you have applied to this vacancy
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