Graduate Future Operations Management - Assistant Operations Manager

Join a 3-year graduate programme to develop leadership, operations, and commercial management skills while supporting the delivery of major UK rail infrastructure projects.

Make your mark with Colas Rail UK 

At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different. 

This is true because...

• We value everyone as part of the same team.

• We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down. 

• We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want. 

• We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion. 

• We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different. 

• We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations. 

About Us 

Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure. 

At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail. 

Leading by our Values

Our values, Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions. 

We Respect our employees, celebrate diversity and foster a culture of safety, care and respect for everyone we interact with. We care about our employee’s wellbeing and create an environment of inclusivity and support.

We Commit by showing up wholeheartedly. When we commit together, we invest in everyone’s success. We invest in our customers, our teams and our colleagues, and we lead with safety, integrity, passion, purpose, ethics and transparency.

We Share as we all hold knowledge that could and should be shared, enabling us to grow and making us a strong collective. We have a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent. 

We Pioneer to push boundaries, imagine what does not yet exist and dare to do what others do not. We innovate with ambition, and we find solutions.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.

Job Description: 

Purpose of the Role

Our Graduate Programme is a 3-year journey, designed to foster the skills, exposure and support needed to accelerate your career within an industry at the forefront of sustainable transport solutions. From day one, you won’t just be learning, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact. You will play a key role in delivering an industry-leading test train contract that supports and enhances the UK’s railway infrastructure.

As an Operations Management Graduate, you will gain hands-on experience across every dimension of the business. From supporting high-performing teams to assisting in the management of the commercial and financial performance of contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Through this you will develop the confidence and capability to develop your career in a complex and fast-moving environment. You will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills and to work towards becoming a Chartered through your relevant Chartership body. 

As a Graduate, you’ll never be on this journey alone. We’ll support you every step of the way with guidance from your Line Manager, mentorship from your wider teams, and access to a dedicated Early Careers network. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop leadership skills across people management, operations, and commercial performance

• Work in a collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas are valued

• Gain exposure and contribute to cutting-edge innovation and continuous improvement initiatives from front line safety to environmental sustainability. 

• You will be at the forefront of ensuring that your team delivers safely, and you will have a part to play in the safety of passengers, staff and the public. 

• We want you to join us in our daily commitment and continuous drive to improving safety across our business, and you will be empowered to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can achieve this. 

• We are also focused on ensuring our work leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world around us, so having an eye for how we can innovate and be creative is critical.  

• Assist the Operations Manager in leading and delivering safely, on time and within budget. 

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with clients and stakeholders.

• Uphold and champion best in class safety practices during all operational activities, and ensure any non-compliances are reported to allow continuous improvement. 

• Help manage risk, change, and performance using robust project controls.

• Work closely with colleagues, subcontractors, and partners to deliver high-quality outcomes

• Strong communication and teamwork will be central to your success. You’ll be encouraged to share ideas, solve problems collaboratively, and build a strong professional network.

• Attend all the relevant Graduate Development Training for your pathway, ensuring the learning gets delivered in the workplace.

• Complete the Business Project when requested.

• As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.

• Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time. 

Person Specification

The job holder will have:

•    Minimum 2:2 degree from a university
•    Show an enthusiasm and drive to be part of the Rail Industry and Colas Rail
•    Willingness to work nights and weekends when required as part of operational delivery
•    A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
•    Resilience, adaptability, and the confidence to respond to change in a fast-paced environment
•    Demonstrate the Behaviours within our Leadership Essentials Framework

The role holder MUST be open to travelling UK wide as part of the role

What we Offer

Competitive Salary
26 days Annual Leave
Industry leading Life Assurance
Healthcare Cash Plan
Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
Pension Scheme
Eye Care Vouchers
Long Service Award
Season Ticket Loan
Occupational Health Service
 
This is an exciting opportunity to build a career in the rail industry. We’d particularly encourage applications from women, or those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.