Regional Competency Manager (3371)
- Salary:Attractive along with excellent benefits
- Location:Train Crew Depot - Brighton
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Closing Date:13 February 2026
Great opportunity to recruit a Regional Competency Manager based at our Brighton Train Crew Depot.
To apply for this role you must hold a train driver competency - applications will not be considered if you don't have this.
About the role:-
We have re-evaluated how we can best support our drivers' competency management here at Southern and Gatwick Express. To deliver our best possible service, we need to maximise the availability of competent, safe, engaged and productive train drivers. We will support our drivers by ensuring our management teams are proactive and focused on their development and performance. To do this, our Competency Development Managers and Driver Instructor Development Managers need talented people managers to lead and inspire them. The two Regional Competency Managers hold substantial areas of responsibility across wide geographical areas. You will be based in your own office at Brighton or Selhurst, but your teams will be located across the 13 driver depots, and you'll ensure that you travel regularly to support all drivers and their managers, within your area. You'll therefore need to proactively manage and engage your CDM/DIDM team across the business by being a visible leader and prioritising the performance of your direct team, so they in turn can drive the performance of their driver teams. Achieving a high degree of personal reputation and engagement with the driver community across Southern is essential to the success of you and your team.
This is a significant leadership role, suitable for a conventional working week and not suitable for remote working, as physical availability to drivers and managers is essential. There is a requirement to act as senior second line on-call on a roster for operational incidents.
If you can bring the following we would love to hear from you:-
Knowledge/Skills/Experience:
- This role is suitable for qualified train drivers with a minimum of four years' driving experience on the mainline railway network. This does not include driving experience on Metro, light rail or preserved railways.
- Previous demonstrable experience in people development, ideally of managers, is essential.
- Knowledge of Electrostar fleets and valid route competency on the Southern network is highly advantageous.
- Competence as an A1 assessor is essential and competence as a V1 verifier is highly advantageous, although training could be supplied to the right candidate.
To apply please submit a cover letter and CV detailing what skills and experience you can bring to this role.
Full JD attached.
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