Rail operations manager

Rail operations managers are concerned with overseeing, designing, and controlling the processes of transport operation. Rail operation managers may work for rail operators concerning tasks such as managing the safe and efficient operation of transport services including customer relation tasks or the management of staff and work organisation in this field. Rail operation managers employed by infrastructure operators manage the efficient and safe use of the network. This includes the planning of timetables and the allocation of slots to customers. They plan the construction and maintenance work. 

The following job titles also refer to rail operations manager:

railway operations specialist
railway operations manager
train operations manager
train operations specialist
rail control operator

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as rail operations manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Rail operations manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to rail operations manager.

railway station manager
rail project engineer
airport director
airport planning engineer
telecommunications manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of rail operations manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of rail operations manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of rail operations manager.

Modern power signalling systems: Understand traditional and modern signalling systems; operate railway signalling systems.
Rail project financing: Thoroughly understand the ways in which railway projects are financed, such as public, private, and public-private partnership financing, including all the type of stakeholders that may be involved.
Rail disruption management: Thoroughly understand the conditions, causes, and effects of rail disruption or derailment, and of degraded mode operations including tasks and tools.
Physical characteristics of railways: Familiar with all physical aspects of the railway, including train stations, the incline and decline of the right-of-way and speed limits.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
Railway framework legislation: Know and apply railway framework legislation where requirements for railways in the EU are established. Know legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.
Train planning: Thoroughly understand the techniques, procedures, and tools used to compose a train timetable; know various types of train plans; identify possible constraints to be considered in planning activities.
Rail infrastructure: Thoroughly understand the characteristics of railway infrastructure: rail technologies, track gauges, rail signalling, rail junctions, etc.

These skills are necessary for the role of rail operations manager.

Ensure customer focus: Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Comply with legal regulations: Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
Develop staff: Lead employees to meet the organisations expectations for productivity, quality and goal accomplishment. Provide effective performance feedback through employee recognition and reward in conjunction with the Human Resources Manager as required
Perform rail operations risk management: Identify risk factors related to various areas of rail operations; develop valid strategies to mitigate these risks.
Enforce railway safety regulations: Promote and enforce safety procedures and EU regulations to ensure that railway safety is generally maintained and continuously improved, taking into consideration the development of European legislation.
Assess performance of rail operations: Assess the best practices in the railway industry, and devise strategies to improve performance.
Plan railway incident mitigation measures: Plan, anticipate, and develop mitigation measures to respond to rail incidents, unexpected situations, and emergencies.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of rail operations manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of rail operations manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Work in a rail transport team: Work confidently within a group in rail transport services, in which each individual has their own responsibility in working towards a common goal such as a good interaction with the customers, railway safety, and rolling stock maintenance.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

1324 – Supply, distribution and related managers

 

 

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References

1. Rail operations manager – ESCO