Operations Control Tactical Manager

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Key Information

Job title: Operations Control Tactical Manager

Salary: £88,600pa
Grade: Q1A
Contract type: LU                                                                 Reference: 1768
Team: RCC Operations                                                         Directorate: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Contract details: Perm                                                         Location: Palestra
Application closing date: 10/10/2025 at 23:59

PLEASE NOTE: 
 
The business is holding several open workshops for interested candidates to find out more information about this role. Details and links to each workshop can be found below: 

Please register your interest by clicking your preferred date below: 

2nd October 2025 at 12:00 – RCC OCTM Workshop | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

3rd October 2025 at 16:00 - RCC - OCTM Workshop | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

We have a great opportunity for an Operations Control Tactical Manager. You will provide tactical response both in the Rail Control Centre (RCC) and on site during live incidents. This role is equally divided between the RCC and responding to incidents in a marked police vehicle, driving incident resolution for our customers, providing tactical operational advice to the Senior Operating Officer (SOO) as well as directing and coordinating internal and external resources as required, on site or from the Control Centre. 
 
In this exciting and agile role, you’ll ensure the RCC response to incidents is fluid and effective, and coordinated across all the TfL Rail modes, putting customers at the heart of decisions. Driving business performance / KPIs and improvement. 
 
You’ll be responsible for deploying network-wide resources appropriately to meet incident resolution and real-time information targets, ensuring the RCC is able to respond effectively in all situations. 
  

Key Accountabilities

You’ll be:  

• An expert in railway operations and tactical incident management. The OCTM works collaboratively with other tactical leads across the network’s control centres and on site co-ordinating with tactical leads from the emergency services and external agencies under JESIP (Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Programme) and driving performance management within the Control Centre.  
• Providing tactical leadership during incidents, both on site and within the Rail Control Centre. Performing the role of Silver Control for Cat 1 incidents when assigned on London Underground and support delivery in a similar capacity for TfL Rail incidents.  
• Guiding emergency services and other stakeholders under JESIP principles (whether on site or in the control room).
• Providing support and direction to tactical leads in LU and TfL Rail control centres, challenging decisions made where appropriate.  
• Providing tactical advice to the SOO, escalating issues where necessary to address incidents as they arise.  
• The line manager for the Team Leaders; responsible for people, performance and attendance management. Establishing a strong people management / performance driven approach that always seeks to maintain a continual improvement culture to deliver business objectives.  
• Be responsible for staff training, coaching and development; motivating and developing your team to build capability to meet business and operational needs.  
• Maintaining situational awareness of the network to anticipate incidents, understand their impact and ensure that appropriate resources are deployed.  
• Conducting local on-site debriefs following incidents to ensure that lessons are learnt and acted on to drive continuous improvement 

Skills, Knowledge & Experience 

Skills

• Ability to communicate and influence effectively with peers, partners and senior leaders.  
• Ability to oversee, manage and motivate people internal & external within a real time environment  
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills during incident management  
• Flexible approach and problem-solving skills  
• Dynamic risk management and the implementation of alternative controls  
• Motivated, flexible and able to work under pressure in difficult environments  
• Ability to be self-reflective and triage personal and peer wellbeing  
• A positive, adaptable and resilient approach towards role and responsibility  
• A positive approach to self-evaluation with the emphasis on striving to improve 

Knowledge 

• Strong grounding/appreciation of Rail - stock, power and signalling (traditional and new systems) / Integration within the London Rail Network (essential)  
• Ability to gain thorough knowledge of incident management protocols of Rail (track, station and trains) Knowledge of the London Underground Formal Incident Management process (essential)  
• Appreciation of emergency services working practice. Awareness and appreciation of the wider ecosystem in which the business operates (e.g. civils, power, premises, assets etc.) (essential)  
• Knowledge of Network Rail & Train Operating companies across London and surrounding areas (essential)  
• Knowledge of London Rail companies & integration with LU (essential)
• Substantial knowledge of LU Safety Management Systems, Rules & Regulations and Operating procedures as well as the equivalent in London Rail companies (desirable)
• Knowledge of emergency services protocols including JESIP and METHANE (desirable) 

Experience

• Managing and communicating decisive action in real time. (essential)  
• Previous experience in the operation and application of railway systems. (essential)  
• Demonstrable ability to directly manage people, including engaging the development of others. (essential)  
• Working across functions and with stakeholders to improve knowledge and collective performance. (essential)  
• Overseeing the application of contingency arrangements in real time (desirable)
• Proven incident management experience at tactical level. (desirable)
• Experience of Rail Operations in London and how incidents can impact on customer service delivery on the London Rail network (desirable) 

Application Process

 
•    Please apply using your CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages)
•    Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter
•    PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images

There will be a two-stage interview process as part of the assessment for this secondment. You will need to pass the 1st stage to progress to the 2nd stage. If you don’t pass the 1st stage, you will not be invited to the 2nd stage. 
 

1st stage interviews are scheduled to take place in October 2025. 
 
2nd stage interviews are scheduled to take place in November 2025.
 
We are hoping to have the successful applicant in place by late December 2025. 

This is a safety critical role so you will need to get clearance from our Occupational Health team before you start.

The post holder is required to work as part of a roster providing 24/7 coverage 365 days per year.  
 
SECURITY CLEARANCE: The post holder will be required to obtain the required level of Government security clearance. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

 
NPL Applications: 

Applications to internally advertised roles can only be accepted from temporary workers who are on PAYE terms via agency, or PAYE via Umbrella Companies. Temporary workers who are paid through their own limited companies are not covered by the Agency Worker Regulations and are ineligible to apply. NPL’s are not eligible to apply for secondment opportunities.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.