Regional Crime and Security Manager - Outer

About this role

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

The Regional Crime and Security Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring safety, security, and crime prevention across the entire South Western Railway network. This role is critical to SWR's mission of delivering a reliable and secure travel experience by implementing proactive safety measures, coordinating incident response, and fostering strong partnerships with local law enforcement and other security entities across all stations and infrastructure within the network. This role demands a proactive approach to leadership, collaboration, community engagement, and dedication to maintaining high standards of passenger and staff safety across the SWR network.

Your main responsibilities will be

Direct Leadership of Rail Community Officers (RCOs): Directly oversee all RCOs, across all Depots, ensuring effective management and direction is given.

*Operational management of Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme (RSAS):*Ensure that statutory and scheme requirements are met under the British Transport Police (BTP) RSAS scheme, including ongoing engagement with BTP.

Day-to-Day Management of the Safety and Security Control Centre:* Oversee daily operations and performance at the Safety and Security Control Centre, Basingstoke ROC, ensuring efficient functionality and effective incident response across the SWR network. Including engagement with contract manager with any performance issues.

*Operational Deployment at events and incidents:*As required, deploy to incident and events to act as security manager or fall into command structure as required by Safety & Security Directorate. This includes management of contracted security staff operationally, such as the Network Reassurance Team.

*Security On-Call Structure:*This role is required to be part of the Security On-call Structure.

*BTP Vetting:*Monitor and keep track of BTP vetting applications, including initial and renewal applications, ensuring that there are no lapses as required under the RSAS accreditation scheme requirements.

Administrative Tasks: Complete return-to-work forms, occupational health referrals, RCO-related audits, driving permits, performance management, and other administrative tasks including rostering for the Rail Community Officers.

Formal Processes Management: Conduct formal investigations and meetings concerning company procedures including Disciplinary Actions, Performance Reviews, Grievance, and Attendance Procedures.

Intelligent Tasking of RCOs: Allocate RCO resources across the network in line with the “Intelligence-led, Evidence-based” approach, balancing crime and disorder levels with internal resource requests and deployment in coordination with the British Transport Police (BTP).

72-Hour Review Deployment: Deploy team members to carry out 72-hour reviews following fatality incidents, ensuring thorough follow-up and evaluation to enhance ongoing safety measures.

Recruitment and Interview Process Management: Lead the recruitment, selection, and interview processes for RCOs, ensuring candidates align with SWR's safety and service standards.

Training and Development Coordination: Arrange and oversee training programs, workshops, and forums for RCOs, ensuring continuous skill development and alignment with SWR/BTP standards.

Regular Team Leaders Meetings for Problem-Solving Plans (PSP): Conduct regular meetings with Team Leaders to discuss Problem-Solving Plans (PSPs), address challenges, and implement measures to ensure safety and service goals are achieved.

Equipment and PPE Management: Handle the purchase and ordering of equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for RCOs, ensuring all safety requirements are met.

Cross-Agency Collaboration: Build and maintain effective working relationships with the BTP, Home Office Police forces, and other SWR departments and external agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to safety and security.

Industry Leadership and Best Practice Engagement: Hold engaging talks and collaborative sessions with other functions within SWR, other Train Operating Companies (TOCs), and industry partners to share and establish best practices in safety and security.

Community Engagement and School Talks: Attend and participate in school and community talks to promote awareness around rail safety and community involvement, strengthening SWR's role as a proactive and community-focused organisation.

Enhancing Passenger Confidence and Community Trust: Promote passenger safety and public confidence by fostering a secure environment, enhancing the customer experience, and reinforcing SWR's reputation as a customer-focused rail provider.

Community and Law Enforcement Liaison: Act as SWR's primary point of contact with local police, security agencies, and community groups. Facilitate shared intelligence, crime prevention strategies, and incident responses to support passenger safety and meet community security needs.

Staff Safety and Well-being: Implement safety protocols to protect SWR staff, creating a secure, supportive work environment that priorities staff well-being. Such as operations to reduce staff assault, or re-assurance patrols.

Additional Responsibilities: Undertake any other duties as directed by your Senior Manager to support the success of SWR's safety and security initiatives across the network.

Trade Union Collaboration: Work closely with trade unions to support role development and improve job standards and satisfaction, ensuring better engagement and influence within the RCO grade.

Deputising Responsibilities:* Provide cover and support for key roles as required, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational standards.

Delivering Crime Mitigation Plans: Execute and monitor Crime Mitigation Plans set by the Senior Network Crime & Security Manager, actively working to reduce incidents and improve overall safety on the network.

You'll need

• Proven experience in demonstrating leadership and influencing skills is highly desirable
• Whilst a background in security is desirable, the post holder must have proven experience in a relevant customer service industry
• An understanding of staffing costs and rostering is highly desirable
• A proven ability to change behaviours around customer service, safety and security is desirable
• A good standard of education
• For this role interviewing skills are essential
• Good written, verbal, communication and presentation skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret data as part of efforts to reduce Crime and Disorder annually on the South West Trains network
• On application for the role, an understanding of relevant products, policies and services is desirable. This is essential once in post.
• Part professional qualification
• Relevant safety qualification

Desirable Skills / Knowledge

• Crime Prevention and Public Safety Regulations: Familiarity with UK laws, crime prevention strategies, and railway/public safety regulations.
• Risk and Incident Management: Knowledge of risk assessment, safety audits, and emergency response frameworks.
• Security Technology: Proficiency with CCTV, surveillance systems, and security technology in public spaces.
• Leadership and Team Coordination: Strong leadership in managing, training, and motivating security teams across multiple locations.
• Incident Management: Skilled in crisis response, de-escalation, and making effective decisions under pressure.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise with law enforcement, emergency services, and SWR staff.